Which organization certifies unlicensed personnel to administer medications?

• A. Maryland Board of Nursing
• B. American Nurses Association
• C. United States Pharmacopeia
• D. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Answer: (A)

Understanding who can certify unlicensed personnel to administer medications starts with recognizing how medication administration is regulated. State nursing boards regulate the scope of practice for nurses and the certification/authorization of unlicensed assistive personnel who may administer medications under supervision. In Maryland, that authority rests with the Maryland Board of Nursing, which sets the required training, competency evaluations, and supervision rules for medication administration by unlicensed staff.

The other organizations do not perform this certification role: the American Nurses Association is a professional advocacy group for nurses; the United States Pharmacopeia publishes drug standards; and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services oversees federal health programs and reimbursement, not certifying medication administration staff.