Key Points

• What is a Certified Medication Aide? Medication aides give routine medications and support nurses in patient care. A CMA is a trained professional who administers routine medications to patients under nurse supervision. Currently, their duties in Georgia were expanded to include tasks like administering insulin and performing blood glucose tests.
• How to become a medication aide in Georgia: You must first become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), then complete a state-approved medication aide training program and pass the state competency exam.
• Training length: You must already be a CNA (an 85-hour program). The additional Medication Aide training is a short, intensive course offered by private healthcare academies.
• Medication aide salary in Georgia: The average CMA salary is $37,090 per year ($17.83 per hour).
• Where they work: CMAs are in high demand in assisted living communities, personal care homes, nursing homes, and hospice facilities.

What is a Certified Medication Aide?

A Certified Medication Aide is a trained and state-certified professional who administers prescribed medications to patients under the supervision of a licensed nurse. To become certified, you must complete a state-approved training program, pass a competency exam, and be listed on the Georgia Medication Aide Registry.

Following rule changes in May 2025, a CMA's duties in Georgia were expanded. In assisted living and personal care settings, CMAs can now administer insulin and epinephrine, conduct finger-stick blood glucose tests, and manage medications via various routes, including oral, topical, and inhalers, all under a physician's protocol. This role is critical for ensuring residents receive their medications safely and on time.

What Do Certified Medication Aides Earn in Georgia?

As of 2026, the average salary for a Certified Medication Aide in Georgia is $37,090 per year or about $17.83 per hour.

However, pay can vary significantly based on location and employer. In the Atlanta metro area, hourly wages typically range from $13 to $22. Per-diem or PRN (as-needed) positions often command higher rates, with some listings reaching $25 to $26 per hour.

The employment outlook is stable. While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) groups CMAs under the broader "Nursing Assistants" category, that group is projected to see 2% job growth in Georgia between 2024 and 2034.

Where Do Medication Aides Work?

In Georgia, CMAs are essential staff in facilities that support elderly or disabled individuals. The recent rule changes expanded their scope of practice specifically in these environments, making them even more vital. Common workplaces include:

• Assisted Living Communities: The most common employer, where residents need help with daily medications but not 24/7 skilled nursing.
• Personal Care Homes: Smaller residential settings where CMAs manage resident health schedules.
• Nursing Homes (Skilled Nursing Facilities): Working under the close supervision of RNs to manage routine medication passes for stable residents.
• Hospice Facilities: Assisting with comfort care medications, including liquid morphine for hospice patients under specific orders.

Requirements to Become a Medication Aide in Georgia

To become a Certified Medication Aide in Georgia, you must meet specific eligibility criteria set by the Georgia Department of Community Health.

• Age: Be at least 18 years old.
• Education: High School Diploma or GED is required.
• Prerequisite Certification: You must be a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in good standing on the Georgia Nurse Aide Registry. You cannot skip this step.
• Training: Successfully complete a state-approved Medication Aide training program.
• Competency: Pass the state-written and skills competency examination.
• Background Check: Must pass a comprehensive criminal background check (GCIC).

How to Become a Medication Aide in Georgia?

The path to becoming a CMA in Georgia is structured to ensure you have both foundational patient care experience and specific pharmacology knowledge.

1. Become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

This is a mandatory first step; you cannot become a CMA in Georgia without it. If you aren't a CNA yet, you must enroll in a state-approved Nurse Aide Training Program. These programs require a minimum of 85 hours, including 24 hours of supervised clinical practice in a nursing home. After completing the course, you must pass the state exam to be listed on the Georgia Nurse Aide Registry.

Dreambound makes it easy to find and compare CNA programs across Georgia. You can filter schools by cost, schedule, and location to find the perfect fit.

2. Enroll in a State-Approved Medication Aide Course

Once you are a CNA in good standing, you can enroll in a CMA program. These courses are offered by private healthcare training academies and vocational schools, many of which provide hybrid formats with online lectures and in-person labs. The curriculum focuses on the "Six Rights" of medication administration, pharmacology, legal responsibilities, and infection control.

3. Pass the State Competency Exam

After completing your training, you must pass the state competency exam, which is administered by Alliant Health Solutions. The exam consists of a written/oral test, and you must score at least 80% to pass. You are allowed three attempts before you must retake the training program. There is also a state registry fee of around $25-$27.

4. Get Listed on the Georgia Medication Aide Registry

Once you pass the exam, your name is added to the official Georgia Medication Aide Registry. You can verify your status and find your certification details through the Georgia MMIS web portal. Employers are required by law to use this portal to verify that you are certified and in good standing before hiring you.