Steps to Become a Qualified Medication Aide in Indiana

QMAs perform specific tasks under nurse supervision. They work within a defined scope of practice, assisting registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in healthcare settings.

The Indiana Department of Health categorizes six ways to become a QMA, but enrolling in a 100-hour training course is the most common route. Here are the steps:

1. Find a state-approved class

To become a QMA in Indiana, you must first become a Certified Nurse Assistant/Aide (CNA). Dreambound offers resources to help you find approved CNA training programs throughout Indiana, allowing you to search based on your preferences for location, program duration, and payment options.

Once you've completed your CNA certification, you can then choose from Dreambound's extensive selection of medication aide training programs to further your healthcare career and achieve your CMA certification.

2. Meet the requirements

The Indiana Department of Health's Division of Healthcare Education and Quality oversees the Qualified Medication Aide (QMA) certification program. This program verifies that candidates meet all QMA requirements and maintain their status on the Indiana Aides Registry.

The requirements that you have to meet include:

• Be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or equivalent;
• Maintains good standing as a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) on the Indiana Aide Registry, and
• Have a minimum of 1,000 work hours as a CNA within the past 24 months.

3. Complete your training

To become a QMA in Indiana, you must complete the 100-hour QMA training program— 60 hours of classroom instruction and 40 hours of supervised practicum. You must also demonstrate competency in medication administration and treatment application. This includes safely dispensing medications and performing various healthcare treatments.

4. Pass the certification exam Ivy Tech Community College facilitates the Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) and Qualified Medication Aide (QMA) competency evaluations in Indiana. They have a Central Testing Office in Indianapolis where the Central Coordinators staff handle all applications and schedules tests throughout the state. You must present the following documentation upon application:

• The original IDOH Test application for QMA completed online;
• Copy of high school diploma, official high school transcript (with graduation date), high school equivalency certificate, or official college transcript; Documentation of Qualified Medication Aide Practicum;
• Copy of current Indiana Nurse Aide Registry certification letter, and
• Payment of $65 or $75.

The fee for both the written and skills tests is $75. If you're only taking one test (written or skills), the fee is $65. You can pay using facility checks, money orders, or credit cards—no personal checks are accepted. Checks should be made payable to Ivy Tech Community College.

Ivy Tech will email you once your QMA application and payment are approved. This email will include important information about the QMA exam and how to schedule it at an Ivy Tech Testing Center. You will receive this email within 30 days of submitting your valid application.

5. Maintain certification

You must complete 6 hours of QMA Annual In-service Training every year and keep the records yourself. Here’s your guide to maintaining your certification:

• Complete your 6 hours of QMA in-service between January and December each year.
• Upload your in-service records when you renew your certification.
• The IDOH will review QMA in-service records in two ways:
• They may randomly select you to submit your in-service form.
• Surveyors may check your in-service form during annual or other surveys.
• Your facility should keep a copy of your in-service records for employment purposes.

If you don't have a CNA, your QMA certification will expire every 2 years. For example: If your current expiration date is 03/31/2018, your new expiration date will be 03/31/2020. If you have a CNA, your QMA will expire on the same day as your CNA.

Frequently Asked Questions