Qualified Medication Aide (QMA) Training and Certification

About the Qualified Medication Aide (QMA) Training and Certification Program

The Qualified Medication Aide (QMA) Training and Certification Program at the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) is designed to ensure that individuals meet both state and federal requirements to work as QMAs in Indiana. All QMAs must be listed on the Indiana Aides Registry.

To become a QMA, you must complete extra training and show that you can safely give medication and treatment. Each two-year renewal period requires that QMAs complete six hours of medication-related training to maintain their certification. An additional hour is required if the QMA is insulin-certified.

QMAs work under the direct supervision of a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN) and may only complete tasks that fall within their scope of practice.

There are several ways to qualify for QMA registration in Indiana. You may complete a training program, be a student nurse, be a graduate nurse, be an emergency medical responder, have military healthcare experience, or be a QMA in another state (reciprocity).

You may read more about each below.

Complete a Training Program

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Have proof of a high school diploma, or equivalent.
• Be a certified nurse aide (CNA) in good standing in Indiana (no verified complaints or disciplinary action).
• Work a minimum of 1,000 hours as a CNA within the past 24 months or request (and be granted) a waiver by the Certified Healthcare Professions Commission for a reduced work requirement.
• Complete a state-approved QMA training program consisting of a minimum of 100 hours. Approved training programs can be found here.
• Successfully pass the written competency evaluation.

Student Nurse

• Be a CNA in good standing in Indiana (no verified complaints or disciplinary action).
• Be currently enrolled in an accredited nursing program.
• Successfully complete a course in pharmacology (or equivalent) and submit a transcript verifying the completion to IDOH.
• Complete a 40-hour supervised practicum.
  • Prior to beginning, approval must be obtained from IDOH by submitting a letter or other document from the licensed long-term care/residential facility in which the practicum will be completed (email to AideTraining@health.in.gov).
  • Once approval is granted by IDOH, the 40-hour supervised medication practicum may begin.
• Pass the written competency evaluation.

Graduate Nurse

• Graduate from an accredited nursing school within the past 24 months.
• Be a CNA in good standing in Indiana (no verified complaints or disciplinary action).
• Pass the written competency evaluation.

Emergency Medical Responder

• Be certified or licensed in Indiana as an emergency medical responder (EMR), emergency medical technician (EMT), advanced emergency medical technician (AEMT), or a paramedic in good standing.
• Be a CNA in good standing in Indiana (no verified complaints or disciplinary action).
• Pass the written competency evaluation.

Military Healthcare Experience

• Provide documentation verifying healthcare training in the military.
• Be a CNA in good standing in Indiana (no verified complaints or disciplinary action).
• Pass the written competency evaluation.

Reciprocity (Transfer of Certification from Another State)

• Must be currently certified as a QMA in another state.
• Certification must be active, in good standing, with no verified complaints or disciplinary action.
• Be a CNA in good standing in Indiana (no verified complaints or disciplinary action).

What is the competency evaluation test?

To become a QMA in Indiana after the completion of a 100-hour training program and practicum, a written test must be passed.

Written Test

Up to four attempts of the written test are allowed within a two-year period. When passed, you are officially a QMA and will be added to the Indiana Aides Registry.

Testing Procedure

• Testing locations are offered throughout the state and scheduled through Ivy Tech Community College (ITCC).
• Applications are completed online (click here).
• The fee schedule is also listed on ITCC's website.
• Contact email: CNA_QMA_Testing@ivytech.edu

What is the optional QMA certification for insulin administration?

The insulin certification is an optional training that teaches QMAs how to safely administer insulin to residents in licensed healthcare facilities in Indiana. QMAs who are certified for insulin administration have a special designation on their QMA certification.

The training must be provided by an Indiana-approved QMA training program and led by an approved program instructor who is an RN. All lessons must follow the state-approved curriculum, which includes four to eight hours of classroom instruction and two to four hours of hands-on practice with one-on-one supervision by an RN. Approved training programs can be found here.

Tests Required

Written Test

• Must be passed.
• Administered by an approved training program.
• Up to four attempts are allowed.

Skills Test

• Administered by the program instructor.
• Must be completed with 100% accuracy.

When passed, you are officially a QMA who can administer insulin; this designation will be added to your certification in the Indiana Aides Registry.

Testing Procedure

• Testing locations are offered throughout the state and scheduled through ITCC.
• Applications are completed online (click here).
• The fee schedule is also listed on ITCC's website.
• Contact email: CNA_QMA_Testing@ivytech.edu

Renewal of the insulin certification is completed with QMA renewals.

How do I renew my certification?

To stay active as a QMA in Indiana, you must work at least eight hours in nursing-related duties and complete six hours of medication-related in-service training each two-year renewal period. If you have an insulin certification, you are required to complete one additional hour of training that is related to insulin administration. Proof of training must be uploaded upon certificate renewal.

QMA certifications expire on the same date as CNA certifications. CNA certificate renewals must be completed first, then QMA certificate renewals may be completed. Renewal is free and completed through MyLicenseOne; you may print your card here, too.

For questions on renewals, please contact Aides@health.in.gov.

What are in-service training hours?

QMAs in Indiana must complete continuing education; each two-year renewal period requires that QMAs complete six hours of medication-related training to maintain their certification. QMAs who have an insulin certification must complete one additional hour of training that is related to insulin administration.

Documentation of Training

QMAs are responsible for maintaining a record of their training. Facilities should also maintain a copy of each QMA's training record in a personnel file. When renewing your QMA certification, proof of in-service training hours must be uploaded. In-service training must be documented on the Qualified Medication Aide (QMA) Record of Annual In-Service Training form.

IDOH audits 10% of QMAs at random to ensure compliance.

How do I update my contact information?

The Indiana Aides Registry uses the MyLicenseOne application to manage certifications. It is your responsibility to update this information within 30 days of a name, address, phone, or email change.

The Indiana Aides Registry may be searched by the name of an aide to verify status.

Statuses

• A status of active indicates that the aide has met all requirements and is eligible to be employed as an aide in Indiana.
• A status of expired means that the aide is ineligible to be employed until they renew their certification.
• A status of finding means that the aide is prohibited from working as a CNA, QMA or home health aide (HHA). Findings are updated routinely, as they are placed on aide’s certifications. You may subscribe to the listserv by contacting SRSHelpDesk@isdh.in.gov and requesting to be added. Emails will contain CNAs, QMAs, and HHAs who have had new findings placed on the Indiana Aide Registry. If you have questions on an aide’s status, please email AideInvestigations@health.in.gov.

What is the Certified Healthcare Professions Commission?

The Certified Healthcare Professions Commission is a group of seven members appointed by the Governor of Indiana. These members come from a variety of backgrounds, including nurse aides, registered nurses who have experience training nurse aides, nursing facility administrators, and individuals who use nursing services in Indiana. The commission holds public meetings that are announced according to IDOH's policies and procedures.

The commission is responsible for the following:

• Considering and making determinations concerning the qualifications of individuals who apply to become a CNA, QMA, or HHA.
• Renewing registrations and certifications.
• Considering and making determinations concerning qualifications for instructors or nurse aide training programs and qualified medication aide training programs.
• Considering and making determinations concerning the curriculum for CNA, QMA, and HHA training programs.
• Reviewing evidence concerning allegations against a CNA, QMA, or HHA submitted by IDOH.
• Allowing the CNA, QMA, or HHA to provide a written or oral statement to the commission regarding the evidence IDOH presented.
• Directing IDOH to enter a finding in the registry against a CNA, QMA, or HHA, if appropriate, after review of the evidence and statement.

Certified Healthcare Professions Commission

Anyone may submit a complaint to IDOH about care provided at any licensed or certified Indiana healthcare facility or entity. IDOH is available to receive complaints against nursing homes, hospitals, home health agencies, hospice agencies, personal service agencies, and intermediate care facilities for persons with intellectual disabilities (ICF-IID; also called group homes). IDOH investigates all eligible complaints.

This report link is to a page that provides information about the complaint process and how to report a complaint. A complaint report form is provided for individuals to assist in the reporting of care issues.

Program Instructors and Train-the-Trainer (TTT)

All QMA program instructors must complete a Train-the-Trainer (TTT) course.

TTT courses are provided by:

• Indiana University Indianapolis – School of Nursing
• Healthcare Education Consultants
  • Janet Terrill, RN, and Nancy Adams, RN, at 317-696-1610 or NAdams121578@gmail.com
• Ivy Tech Community College
  • Questions related to TTT may be sent to CNA-QMA-Training@ivytech.edu

Approval to Conduct a Qualified Medication Aide Training (QMAT) Program

IDOH must approve all programs before qualified medication aide training (QMAT) is conducted. The initial approval process requires the submission of an application and supplemental documentation. IDOH reviews this information and approval must be granted before any training can take place.

Entities that may apply:

• long-term care facilities;
• vocational, career, or academic institutes; or
• independent/corporate companies.

Requirements

Please submit the following to AideTraining@health.in.gov to be considered for approval.

• Completed Application for Approval to Operate a Nurse Aide or a Qualified Medication Aide Training Program (State Form 629)
• Additional requirements:
  • Classroom and clinical time records showing dates, timeframes, topics covered, and spaces for instructor and student signatures.
  • Copies of TTT certificates and nursing licenses for each instructor, confirming current licensure and relevant experience.
  • Student pre-admission math/English reading/writing assessment.
  • A list of items maintained in each student’s file, including all documents required by IDOH.
  • A photo of the drug book provided to each student for personal use.
  • Photos of the classroom and medication cart (two to three of each) to verify layout, space, and equipment conducive to learning.
    • Must confirm proper set-up and availability of placebo medication.
  • Practicum site agreements for each practicum location; approval is required for all sites.
  • A letter confirming the use of IDOH's QMA curriculum, or a copy of program-specific lesson plans that align with the requirements of the core curriculum.
  • A signed and dated supply list that confirms the availability of required materials.

Last Updated: Apr. 14, 2026