This course is specifically designed for Early Care and Education (ECE) providers who are "assigned the role" of medication administration in their program to learn the principles and skills needed to safely administer medications to children in their care. This 2023-2027 edition covers medication administration procedures for oral medications, eardrops, eye drops, and nebulizers and includes the use of care plans with the administration of emergency medication inhalers and epinephrine pens. This course also includes medication administration policy, forms, documentation requirements and practical strategies to prevent medication errors. 

Eligibility Requirements

  • Completion of "Essentials Module 6 Medication in Child Care"
  • 18 years of age or older
  • Able to read and understand prescription and non-prescription labels 
  • Be "assigned the role" of medication administration

Training Audience

Providers "assigned the role" of medication administration in their ECE program (i.e.: owner/director, assistant director, on-site supervisor or lead classroom teacher).

  • Child Care Centers (CCC) and Preschools
  • Child Development Homes (CDH)
  • Child Care Homes (CCH) accepting Child Care Assistance (CCA)

Best practice indicates that having a limited number of trained staff assigned to administering medications to children in child care helps prevent medication errors.

Training Credit

  • 2-hour course completion
  • 1-hour initial Skills Competency Evaluation Test-Out (within 30 days of completion of the 2-hour course)

IQ4K®

  • This course meets IQ4K® requirements in the professional development category for levels 2-5
  • Reassessment is required for IQ4K® maintenance of Medication Administration Skill Competency
  • 1- hour Reassessment Skills Competency Evaluation Test-Out
    • No training credit hours - demonstrating skills not learning something new

i-PoWeR Professional Workforce Registry

Iowa's Early Childhood and School Age Professional Workforce Registry (i-PoWeR) is a comprehensive registry where you can find and enroll in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) approved professional development opportunities related to early childhood and school-age professionals. It will also maintain a record of your professional achievements. Approved training opportunities can be accessed by visiting i-PoWeR below.

i-PoWeR Link

COURSE and SKILLS Competency Overview

Individuals responsible for administering medication to children in Early Care and Education (ECE) settings shall complete the two-hour Medication Administration Skills Competency course and successfully complete the in-person skills competency evaluation test-out. The course certificate is valid for 5 years. The skills competency test-out is a quality measure and should be reassessed per the ECE programs’ quality protocol (every 1-2 years) or whenever a medication error occurs.

Participants who have completed the course will have 30 days to complete the initial skills evaluation test-out and 30 days after their skills competency reassessment test-out is due to renew their certificate. It is recommended that you contact your local Child Care Nurse Consultant (CCNC) a month prior to when your reassessment of skills is due. After a period of 30 days, the participant will be required to repeat the two-hour course. No additional credit hours will be given if the course is repeated within the 5-year period per HHS rules.

The participant is responsible for scheduling their skills competency initial assessment and reassessment evaluation. The skills evaluation must be performed by a Registered Nurse (RN). If the RN is not a CCNC, they must work with the local CCNC in their county/area to obtain the paperwork, skills competency kit and approval.

The Medication Administration Skills Competency course and in-person skills competency evaluation test-out addresses the administration of several forms of medications.

The following eligibility requirements for this course include:

  • Participants must be at least 18 years of age.
  • Able to read and understand pharmacy and non-prescription medication labels.
  • Completion of Essentials for Medication in Child Care (Module 6) prior to enrolling in this course.
  • Be assigned the role of medication administration (i.e.: owner/director, assistant director, on-site supervisor, lead teaching staff)

For more information contact your Child Care Nurse Consultant here.

Additional documents are available for child care providers to use for the authorization and recording of medication administration, emergency medication, guidance for controlled and regulated medication, and non-medication topical products.