Listing and Re-listing on the N.C. Medication Aide Registry

Purpose: This document describes the Medication Aide listing procedures for individuals who wish to be employed as medication aides in North Carolina nursing homes. The N.C. Medication Aide Registry was established by N.C. General Statute § 131E-270. N.C. General Statute § 131E‑114.2 as well as rules in Title 10A of the North Carolina Administrative Code (10A NCAC 13O) apply. The N.C. Medication Aide Registry is maintained by the Center for Aide Regulation and Education (C.A.R.E.) Branch of the Health Care Personnel Registry Section.

A nursing home employer must verify that a person is listed on the North Carolina Medication Aide Registry and the North Carolina Nurse Aide I Registry before allowing the individual to work as a medication aide. Nursing home employers must also verify listing on the Health Care Personnel Registry prior to employing a medication aide. A substantiated finding on the Health Care Personnel Registry disqualifies the medication aide from employment in a nursing home. Before allowing a medication aide to administer medications, the nursing home employer must conduct a clinical skills validation for those medication tasks to be performed in the facility. The validation must be conducted by a registered nurse.

Attention: Adult care home requirements for medication aides are different from the requirements shown here. Individuals who wish to work as a medication aide in an adult care home (such as assisted living facilities) must complete an exam administered by the Division of Health Service Regulation, Adult Care Licensure Section.

Contacts: For questions regarding any part of this process, contact the Health Care Personnel Registry Section of the N.C. Division of Health Service Regulation at the appropriate number or web address below.

For information about the exam for working as a medication aide in an adult care home, contact the Adult Care Licensure Section at 919-855-3793.

Health Care Personnel Registry Section - Investigations 919-855-3968
Center for Aide Regulation and Education 919-855-3969 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Online Registry https://www.ncnar.org/verify_listings1.jsp

Procedure for N.C. Medication Aide Registry Listing and Re-listing:

  1. To be listed on the N.C. Medication Aide Registry (for work in a nursing home), an individual must first successfully complete a 24-hour North Carolina Board of Nursing-approved medication aide training program and pass the state-approved medication aide exam. Individuals should contact their local community college, AHEC, employer, or the North Carolina Board of Nursing for information regarding board-approved medication aide training programs. Individuals may visit the registry website or contact registry staff to obtain information about the state-approved competency exam.
  2. The state-approved competency evaluator sends the names of successful test candidates to the Health Care Personnel Registry Section for listing on the N.C. Medication Aide Registry.
  3. The Health Care Personnel Registry Section lists these individuals on the N.C. Medication Aide Registry, notifies them of the listing, and provides them with the requirements and responsibilities for maintaining registry listing. The listing is valid for two years.
  4. To remain listed on the North Carolina Medication Aide Registry, a medication aide must be able to document at least eight hours of qualified employment during the two-year period.
  5. When a listing is about to expire, the section notifies the eligible aide in writing, as long as they remain in good standing on the registry and a current address is on file. The notification includes an employment verification form.
  6. The aide has a registered nurse supervisor (or appropriately qualified supervisor) document their medication aide employment on the form and sends the completed form to the section.
  7. Upon receipt of valid employment information, the section extends the listing of the individual for two years from the last valid date worked. (The new expiration date is extended to the end of the month.)
  8. A medication aide may continue to re-list by working and reporting their work as stated above. Re-testing is required, however, if the medication aide goes for a period of two full years (from either the most recent date tested or the most recent date worked) without meeting the minimum work requirement. Medication aides who fail to meet the requirements must complete a new 24-hour North Carolina Board of Nursing-approved medication aide training program and the state-approved competency examination to be re-listed.