Application, Certification And Renewal

(1) Application. (a) An applicant for certification as a MAC shall complete an application on a form prescribed by the Board. The training program shall submit the application for certification by examination to the Board office. (b) Any application submitted which lacks the required information or fails to meet any requirement for certification will be returned to the applicant with written notification of deficiency and will be held in “pending” status for a reasonable period of time, not to exceed one year from the date of application, so that the applicant may cure any deficiency, if possible. (c) An application may be withdrawn unless it has been denied. (d) Application fees are not refundable. (2) Certification. (a) An applicant for certification as an MA shall submit an application to the Board office along with the required information and application and certification fees. (b) An applicant shall furnish evidence to the Board office, along with a completed application and applicable fees, that the applicant: 1. Is at least eighteen (18) years of age; 2. Has completed the twelfth (12th) grade or its equivalent or has successfully passed the test for and has received a general equivalency diploma; 3. Is a certified nurse aide or a licensed occupational therapy assistant; 4. Has worked as a certified nurse aide or a licensed occupational therapy assistant in a nursing home, assisted care living facility, or a P.A.C.E. for at least 365 days of continuous, uninterrupted, full-time work at no more than two (2) different facilities, at the time the applicant submits an application; 5. Has successfully completed a course of instruction provided by a training program approved by the Board under rule 1000-05-.07 and in compliance with T.C.A. § 63-7-127(i); 6. Has passed a medication aide certification examination approved by the Board; a student who fails the examination a second time must enroll or re-enroll in and satisfactorily complete a board approved training program in order to be eligible to take the examination again; MEDICATION AIDES CHAPTER 1000-05 7. Has caused the results of a criminal background check to be submitted to the Board’s administrative office directly from one of the vendors identified in the Board’s licensure application materials; 8. Does not have an encumbrance on any professional license or certificate; 9. Is not currently listed on any abuse or sex offender registry; and 10. Has a recommendation from a facility where the individual is currently employed or contracted. (c) An applicant must take the approved MA examination. 1. An applicant must become eligible for certification by examination by applying to the board within thirty (30) days after completing a training program; 2. An applicant must complete the certification process no later than 365 days after filing the initial application; and 3. An applicant not successful after two (2) examination attempts must repeat the training program and reapply. (3) Renewal. (a) With the exception of the initial certification period, certification is valid for two (2) years from the date of its issuance and shall become invalid on such date unless renewed, or earlier suspended or revoked. (b) An MA may renew a current, valid certification by submitting a renewal form approved by the Board, the required renewal fee and regulatory fee, and attestation of having completed six (6) contact hours of continuing education each year, provided that five (5) hours of the continuing education shall be in pharmacology provided by a licensed pharmacist or registered nurse prior to the expiration date of the certificate. (c) A renewal form and the fees must be actually received by the Board office on or before the due date.