LAC 48:IX.915. Certification Requirements and Process

A. CMA certificates issued after rule promulgation will expire two years from the last day of the month that the certificate was printed. 1. The agency administrator/representative must complete Form CMA - 1, Profile Sheet, for each employee CMA applicant, acknowledging that all the qualifications outlined in §907 are met prior to the applicant attending the course. 2. The CMA applicant must complete the 60-hour course: 40 hours of classroom theory and 20 hours of practical with a minimum of 10 of those hours conducted in the work place. 3. The CMA applicant must demonstrate proficiency in the 26 skill areas to pass the practical portion of the course. An RN or LPN must administer the practical. Proficiency may be either verbal or physical demonstration. A pass/fail grade shall apply. 4. After completion of the 60-hour course, the CMA instructor completes Form CMA-2, initial exam and certification request, and sends it to the regional coordinator to request applicant(s) be scheduled for the written OCDD CMA certification exam. Form CMA-2 must be attached to the Form CMA-1, profile sheet, for each applicant. All forms must be received by the regional coordinator before an exam date can be scheduled. 5. The regional coordinator will: a. establish a test date; b. notify the central office CMA coordinator to mail or email an electronic version of the exam that cannot be modified to the regional coordinator (The exam consists of 50 questions at 2 points each for a total possible score of 100 points.); c. administer the test; d. return test(s) to the central office coordinator for grading and scoring; e. notify CMA instructors as to applicants' scores; f. notify agency about applicants’ scores; g. mail certificates to the agency; h. assist CMA instructors regarding any questions; and i. maintain copies of all forms submitted to the central office coordinator. 6. The central office coordinator will: a. grade each test and determine test score: i. a test score of 80 is required to pass the exam; ii. a test score between 70 and 78 allows the test to be retaken once without repeating the course; iii. a test score below 70 requires a repeat of the entire 60-hour course. b. send the regional coordinator the exam scores and certificates. 7. Upon passing the OCDD CMA certification exam, the applicant is designated as a CMA. 8. The central office coordinator will issue two certificates; one for the CMA, and one for the requesting provider agency. 9. The certificate shall include at least the following: a. name of CMA; b. expiration date; c. signature of central office coordinator. d. an embossed seal; e. the signature of the assistant secretary of OCDD; and f. the official logo for the OCDD.