Definitions.
Ark. Code Ann. § 17-87-701
in effectAs used in this subchapter:
(1) "Certified medication assistant" means a person who is certified by the board to administer certain nonprescription and legend drugs in designated facilities;
(2) “Designated facility” means a type of facility determined by the board as an environment in which a certified medication assistant may serve in accordance with the requirements of this subchapter and rules promulgated by the board;
; and
(3) “Supervision” means the active oversight of patient care services while on the premises of a designated facility in a manner defined by the board.
17-87-702. Certificate required.
In order to safeguard life and health, a person serving or offering to serve as a certified medication assistant shall:
(1) Submit evidence that he or she is qualified to so serve; and
(2) Be certified as provided in this subchapter.
17-87-703. Designated facilities — Notification of use of certified medication assistants required.
(a) The Arkansas State Board of Nursing shall not require a designated facility to use certified medication assistants.
(b) A designated facility that elects to use certified medication assistants shall notify the board in a manner prescribed by the board.
17-87-704. Qualifications.
(a) To be certified as a certified medication assistant, an applicant shall submit to the Arkansas State Board of Nursing written evidence, verified by oath, that :
(1) The applicant meets all of the following requirements:
(A) Is currently listed in good standing on the state's certified nurse aide registry;
(B) Is currently employed at a designated facility;
(C) Has a high school diploma or the equivalent;
(D) Has successfully completed a literacy and reading comprehension screening process approved by the board;
(E) Has successfully completed a certified medication assistant training course of not less than one hundred fifteen (115) hours approved by the board; and
(F) Has successfully passed an examination on subjects the board determines; or
(2) The applicant has:
(A) Completed a portion of a nursing education program equivalent to the certified medication assistant training course; and
(B) Passed the certified medication assistant examination.
(b) The board may issue a certification as a certified medication assistant by endorsement to an applicant who has been licensed or certified as a certified medication assistant under the laws of another state or territory, if:
(1) In the opinion of the board, the applicant meets the qualifications of a certified medication assistant in this state; and
(2) The board recommends certification.
(c) A person holding a certification as a certified medication assistant may use the title "certified medication assistant" or "medication assistant - certified" and the abbreviation "C.M.A." or "M.A. - C.".
(d) The training courses for a certified medication assistant may be provided by a postsecondary educational institution, a hospital, or a consortium of five (5) or more skilled nursing facilities.
17-87-705. Scope of work.
(a)(1) A certified medication assistant may perform the delegated nursing function of medication administration and related tasks in accordance with rules promulgated by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.
(2) A certified medication assistant shall perform medication administration and related tasks only:
(A) At a designated facility; and
(B) Under the supervision of a licensed nurse.
(3)(A) Medication administration shall be limited to the administration of nonprescription and legend drugs ordered by an authorized prescriber by the following methods:
(i) Orally;
(ii) Topically;
(iii) Drops for eye, ear, or nose;
(iv) Vaginally;
(v) Rectally;
(vi) Transdermally;
(vii) Inhalation; and
(viii) Subcutaneous injections of insulin.
(B) Medication administration by a certified medication assistant shall not include controlled substances.
(b) A certified medication assistant shall not:
(1) Receive, have access to, or administer any controlled substance;
(2) Administer parenteral, enteral, or injectable medications, except as authorized under this subchapter;
(3) Administer any substances by nasogastric or gastrostomy tubes;
(4) Calculate drug dosages;
(5) Destroy medication;
(6) Receive orders, either in writing or verbally, for new or changed medications;
(7) Transcribe orders from the medical record;
(8) Order initial medications;
(9) Evaluate medication error reports;
(10) Perform treatments;
(11) Conduct patient assessments or evaluations; or
(12) Engage in patient teaching activities.
17-87-706. Renewal of certifications.
(a)(1) The Arkansas State Board of Nursing shall prescribe the procedure for the cyclical renewal of the certification of a certified medication assistant.
(2) In each case, the board shall mail a notification for renewal to the certified medication assistant at least thirty (30) days before the expiration date of the certification.
(b)(1) Upon receipt of the renewal application and the fee, the board shall verify the accuracy of the application.
(2)(A) If the board finds the application to be accurate, the board shall issue a certificate of renewal to the applicant.
(B) As a condition of certification renewal, a certified medication assistant shall be:
(i) Currently listed in good standing on the state's certified nurse aide registry; and
(ii) Required to satisfactorily complete at least eight (8) hours of continuing medication education course work as required by the board.
(c) A renewal of a certificate under this section renders the holder of the certificate a legal provider of certified medication assistant services for the period stated in the certificate of renewal.
(d) A certified medication assistant who allows his or her certification to lapse by failing to renew the certification as provided in this section may be reinstated by the board on:
(1) Payment of the renewal fee plus a penalty; and
(2) Submission of evidence that the person currently meets the requirements to serve as a certified medication assistant.
(e) A person providing services as a certified medication assistant during the time his or her certification has lapsed is providing services illegally and shall be subject to the penalties provided for violations of this subchapter.
17-87-707. Disciplinary actions.
(a) The Arkansas State Board of Nursing has sole authority to deny, suspend, revoke, or limit any certificate of a certified medication assistant issued by the board or applied for in accordance with this subchapter or to otherwise discipline a certificate holder upon proof that the person:
(1) Has been found guilty of or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to:
(A) Fraud or deceit in procuring or attempting to procure a certificate of a certified medication assistant; or
(B) Providing services as a certified medication assistant without a valid certificate;
(2) Is unfit or incompetent by reason of negligence, habits, or other causes;
(3) Is habitually intemperate or is addicted to the use of habit-forming drugs;
(4) Is mentally incompetent;
(5) Is guilty of unprofessional conduct;
(6) Has had a license, certificate, or registration revoked or suspended;
(7) Has been placed on probation or under disciplinary order in any jurisdiction;
(8) Has voluntarily surrendered a license, certification, or registration and has not been reinstated in any jurisdiction; or
(9) Has willfully or repeatedly violated any of the provisions of this subchapter.
(b) The board shall refuse to issue or shall revoke the certificate of any person who would be disqualified from employment under § 20-33-213.
(c) Proceedings under this section shall be conducted in accordance with the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act, § 25-15-201 et seq.
17-87-708. Penalty.
(a)(1) It is unlawful for a person to:
(A) Sell or fraudulently obtain or furnish any certified medication assistant's certificate, renewal, or record or aid or abet in any such sale or fraud;
(B) Serve as a certified medication assistant under cover of any certificate or record illegally or fraudulently obtained or signed or issued unlawfully or under fraudulent representation;
(C) Serve as a certified medication assistant unless certified by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing;
(D) Use in connection with his or her name any of the following titles, names, or initials if the user is not properly certified under this subchapter:
(i) Medication aide;
(ii) Medication technician;
(iii) Medication assistant;
(iv) Certified medication assistant;
(v) C.M.A.;
(vi) Medication assistant – Certified;
(vii) MA – C; or
(viii) Any other name, title, or initials that would cause a reasonable person to believe the user is certified under this subchapter;
(E) Serve as a certified medication assistant during the time his or her certification is suspended;
(F) Conduct an education program for the preparation of certified medication assistants unless the program has been approved by the board; or
(G) Otherwise violate any provisions of this subchapter.
(2)(A) A violation under subdivision (a)(1) of this section is a violation punishable by a fine of not less than twenty- five dollars ($25.00) or more than five hundred dollars ($500).
(B) Each subsequent offense under subdivision (a)(1) of this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
(b)(1) After providing notice and a hearing, the board may levy civil penalties in an amount not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) against a person or entity for each violation of this subchapter or rules promulgated under this subchapter.
(2) Each day of violation shall be a separate offense.
(3) Unless a penalty assessed under this subsection is paid within fifteen (15) calendar days following the date for an appeal from the order, the board may file suit in Pulaski County Circuit Court to obtain a judgment for the amount of penalty not paid.
(c) The penalties permitted in this section shall be in addition to other penalties that may be imposed by the board under this subchapter.
Source: Arkansas General Assembly, Acts of 2021-2026 (arkleg.state.ar.us)URL: https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Acts/FTPDocument?path=%2FACTS%2F2025R%2FPublic%2F&file=265.pdf&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025RFetched: 11/8/2026