South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
12/31/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/31/2025 13:27
Medication Assistant Training Program
Pursuant to South Carolina Code of Laws Section 40-33-43, the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) is announcing the launch of its Medication Assistant Training Program (MATP). This certification program is designed to train unlicensed healthcare personnel (non-nursing staff) to safely administer selected medications in licensed skilled nursing facilities under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN). SCDHHS will begin accepting applications from organizations who are interested in enrolling in MATP Jan. 1, 2026.
An MATP is a state-approved program offering training to candidates that desire to become eligible for certification as a medication assistant. The South Carolina MATP Application must be completed and submitted to SCDHHS for review of state approval to operate as an MATP.
Candidates seeking certification as a medication assistant will be required to successfully complete an approved MATP that includes a minimum of 100 hours of training. The training must consist of a minimum of 60 hours of didactic training including work in a skills lab and/or simulation facility and a minimum of 40 hours of supervised clinical practicum in a licensed nursing home supervised by an approved RN. After the completion of a state-approved training program, candidates for Medication Assistant Certification must successfully complete a skills competency evaluation prior to registering for the Medication Aide Certification Exam (MACE). Once an individual passes the MACE, they will be listed on the South Carolina Medication Assistant Registry and will qualify to be employed as a medication assistant in a licensed skilled nursing facility in South Carolina.
MATP policies will be published in the Nursing Facility Services provider manual by Jan. 1, 2026.
SCDHHS will host webinars to provide more information about the MATP. Registration is required and can be completed by clicking on the links below:
For more information about the MATP or to enroll as a training program, please contact [email protected].
South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services published this content on December 31, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on December 31, 2025 at 19:27 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]