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A certified medication aide (CMA) is a certified nursing assistant (CNA) who has completed additional training to administer medications.
CMAs work under the supervision and at the direction of registered nurses (RNs).
If you're a CNA who's looking to expand your career options, there are many online CMA programs available.
CMAs are regulated and licensed by a state's nursing board, so make sure any program you choose is board-approved in your state.
Top Online Certified Medication Aide (CMA) Programs
If you're already a certified nursing assistant (CNA) and want to expand your career options with a CMA, check out these great online programs.
1. Bethel House Training Institute
Bethel House Training Institute in Wichita, NE, offers a hybrid CMA class you can complete in one month.
The class is entirely online with the exception of mandatory orientation, skills checkoff, and three clinical days.
All in-person hours must be completed at the institute's Wichita campus from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. two days per week.
The $595 all-inclusive cost for the course includes course materials, scrubs, and state registration and testing fees.
2. Caregiver Training Institute
The Caregiver Training Institute in Portland, OR, offers online CMA training to Oregon registered CNAs.
To be eligible for the program, you must have at least six months, or 832 hours, of paid work experience as a CNA.
Classroom coursework is entirely online. Students must also attend skills labs at the institute's Portland campus.
The total cost for the program is $1,765. This does not include state exam or registration fees, which are $130.50.
3. Healthcare Training Solutions, Inc.
At Healthcare Training Solutions in Hampton Roads, VA, you can take a state-approved course to be a registered medication aide.
You're eligible for the program if you are registered as a personal care aide, certified nursing assistant, or nursing assistant.
The program is a 68-hour course that prepares you for the state exam. All courses are online.
For $500, you get 12 months of access to course materials. This tuition does not include the $50 registration fee or $70 exam fee.
4. Heart to Heart Career Training Center
Heart to Heart Career Training Center offers a 68-hour course designed to prepare you for the Virginia registered medication aide exam.
Students complete 48 hours of online coursework and 20 hours of clinical training at an assisted living facility in the Williamsburg area.
You must show that you've completed a certified nursing assistant or personal care aide program to be eligible for admission.
Tuition of $805 includes the required textbook. Students are required to provide a $300 deposit towards full tuition upon registration.
5. Nebraska Medical College
Nebraska Methodist College (NMC) offers a hybrid medication assistant program featuring fully online coursework.
Students are expected to come to the Omaha campus once or twice during the program for interactive activities.
No previous nursing assistant experience or certification is required, but you do need to have basic life support certification.
The program costs $310. This cost does not include your application fee to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
6. North Iowa Area Community College
At North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC), you can take a 52-hour course with 42 hours of online coursework.
The remaining time in this hybrid program consists of a one-day in-person lab and 12 hours of clinical experience.
The lab must be completed at NIACC's Mason City campus. Clinical hours can be completed locally with your employer.
Tuition at NIACC starts at $179.25 per credit hour for Iowa residents. Financial aid is available for qualifying students.
7. Phlebotomy Career Training
Phlebotomy Career Training's online CMA course is intended primarily for students who live in Michigan.
While students in other states are welcome to enroll, they should first get approval from their state nursing board.
Classes are all self-paced and asynchronous. The program can be completed in as little as two weeks, but most students take six months.
Your total cost for the program is $550. This includes all course materials but does not include state exam or registration fees.
8. We Care Online Classes
We Care Online Classes offers a hybrid medication aide program consisting of 50 hours of online coursework and 25 hours of lab and clinical work.
The institution has clinical locations throughout Kansas, including in Kansas City, Topeka, Salina, and Wichita.
To be eligible for the program, you must be a registered CNA in Kansas. No specific work experience is required.
The $699 price includes the state registration and exam fees to get your CMA credential upon completion of the course.
FAQs about Online CMA Programs
Keep reading for answers to the most common questions about online medication aide certification and training programs.
What Settings Can You Work in as a CMA?
CMAs are qualified to work in many different settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and assisted living facilities.
The CMA credential is especially popular with home health aides because it allows you to administer medication to your clients.
Can You Get Certified as a Medication Aide Entirely Online?
It depends. While there are 100% online medication aide courses, not all state nursing boards accept these programs for licensing.
In Texas and Kansas, for example, you can only be licensed as a CMA if you've taken your course in a live classroom setting.
The vast majority of the online medication aide courses are hybrid. Students are expected to come to a few live sessions.
How Much Do Medication Aides Make Per Year?
CMAs can expect to make between $20,000 and $30,000 a year in most areas. If you're already a CNA, you'll likely make a little more than that.
The CNA and CMA credentials are entry-level nursing credentials that allow you to work in many different settings where pay varies.
Find the Right Online CMA Program Today
Reach out to Best Accredited Colleges today for more information about online medication aide certification and training programs.
