Certified Medication Aide

Class Description

MCC's Certified Medication Aide (CMA) program in Waco, Texas prepares students for the state medication aide exam. This 140-hour class — sometimes searched for as "med aide classes" — teaches students the skills they need to become a state-certified medication aide. Medication aides work in health care facilities and help nurses give medications and care for patients.

Students will learn:

  • Basic medication administration skills
  • The duties of the health care team
  • Legal and ethical rules
  • How drugs affect the body
  • Professional behavior and communication skills
  • Anatomy and physiology related to medications
  • Safety and infection control
  • First aid and emergency care
  • Common medication problems
  • Special care concerns and other health care topics

Medication aides work under the supervision of a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) or a Registered Nurse (RN).

This course is required for anyone who wants to work as a medication aide in a long-term care facility.

After completing the training, students will be scheduled to take the state medication aide exam as soon as possible.

Admission requirements and/or prerequisites

Students must:

  • Be employed as a Nurse Aide or as a non-licensed direct patient care provider in a facility for at least 90 days during the 12 months before the first day of class
  • Be able to read, write, speak, and understand English
  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Be free of communicable diseases and be physically and emotionally able to safely give medications
  • Submit a signed and notarized Medication Aide Experience State Form from their employer showing employment status on the first day of class
  • Submit a notarized high school diploma, transcript, or GED
  • Complete required immunizations (see Note 1)
  • Complete a drug screen (see Note 1)
  • Submit fingerprints to HHSC before finishing the program (see Note 2)

NOTE 1: Before starting any health care class in the Health and Human Services Continuing Education Department, students must show proof of immunizations for:

  • Hepatitis B
  • Varicella
  • Measles
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Diphtheria/Tetanus

Students must also provide proof of a tuberculosis skin test or chest x-ray.

In addition, students must submit the results of a drug screen with at least a 10-panel test. The drug screen must be completed within 30 days before the class start date.

NOTE 2: Before finishing the program, students must complete fingerprinting. This replaces a background check.

Students must email medication_aide_program@HHS.texas.gov to receive a code to schedule fingerprinting with IdentoGO.

McLennan Community College is not responsible for:

  • Scheduling fingerprint appointments
  • Refunding students who do not pass the fingerprint background check

Students may complete fingerprinting through IdentoGO after receiving their code from HHS.

Class/Section Number

Course: NURA 1013

Recertification: NURA 1041

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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is a Certified Medication Aide (CMA)?

    A Certified Medication Aide, or CMA (also called a med aide), is a trained health care worker who administers medications to patients in long-term care facilities under the supervision of an LVN or RN. MCC's 140-hour CMA class prepares students to take the state medication aide exam.

  2. How do I become a certified medication aide in Texas?

    To become a certified medication aide in Texas, you must complete an approved 140-hour training program like MCC's CMA class, meet employment and background check requirements, and pass the state medication aide exam administered through Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC).

  3. Where can I take medication aide classes near Waco?

    McLennan Community College offers CMA and medication aide recertification classes on its Waco, Texas campus in the CSC building. See the class schedule below for upcoming section dates.

Class Schedule

Fall Full Length 2026 Dates

CMA Full-Length Course
Course Dates Days Time
NURA 1013_F1 9/1/2026-11/19/2026 TWTH 5:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m.

Fall 2026 Recertification Dates

CMA Recertification
Course Date Day Time
NURA 1041_F1 9/28/26 M 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
NURA 1041_F2 10/26/26 M 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
NURA 1041_F3 11/30/26 M 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Spring 2027 Recertification Dates

CMA Recertification
Course Date Day Time
NURA 1041_F4 1/25/27 M 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
NURA 1041_S1 2/22/27 M 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
NURA 1041_S2 3/29/27 M 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
NURA 1041_S3 4/26/27 M 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
NURA 1041_S4 5/25/27 M 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Spring 2027 Full-Length Course

CMA Full-Length Course
Course Dates Days Time
NURA 1013_S1 2/2/27–4/29/27 TWTH 5:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m.

Summer 2027 Recertification Dates

CMA Recertification
Course Date Day Time
NURA 1041_01 TBA M 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
NURA 1041_02 TBA M 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
NURA 1041_03 TBA M 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Summer 2027 Full-Length Course

CMA Full-Length Course
Course Dates Days Time
NURA 1013_01 TBA TWTH 5:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m.

Classroom Location

CMA: CSC E Wing, Room 161

Recertification: CSC E Wing, Room 160 and/or Room 161

Contact

Community Health Programs