The CMA Countdown: Final Regulations, Training, and
Implementation Guidance for MA Nursing Homes
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
VIRTUAL
Seminar Description:
Massachusetts nursing facilities are preparing to implement the new Certified Medication Aide (CMA) role—and this webinar is your essential guide. Participants will hear directly from the curriculum authors and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) as we walk through the final CMA regulations, required training program and competencies, and key implementation considerations for nursing facilities. The session will clarify the critical role of nurse preceptors, outline how facilities and candidates apply for training and testing, and review certification and renewal requirements. Nursing facility leaders and clinical staff will leave with the information they need to confidently plan for and implement the CMA role in their buildings.
Objectives:
At the conclusion of this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Understand key elements in the final regulations governing the CMA role in nursing facilities.
- Describe the required CMA training program structure, curriculum components, and competency expectations.
- Explain the roles and responsibilities of nurse preceptors in supervising and supporting CMA trainees.
- Identify the application, testing, certification, and renewal processes for CMA candidates and nursing facilities.
- Apply key implementation considerations for integrating the CMA role within their nursing facility
Presenters:
•David Johnson, Director, Drug Control Program, DPH
•Courtney Dutra, MPA, PMP, Program Manager, UMass Chan Medical School
•Emily Lauer, PhD, MPH, Director, Center for Developmental Disabilities Evaluation and Research (CDDER), Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, Associate Professor, Dept. of Family Medicine & Community Health, UMass Chan Medical School
•Susan Misiorski, VP of Workforce Development, Mass Senior Care Association
Target Audiences: Administrator, Director of Nursing, Nurse Manager, Corporate Staff