Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee
Title 0465 - Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Subtitle 0465-01 - General Rules
Chapter 0465-01-03 - Administration of Medication by Unlicensed Personnel
Section 0465-01-03-.04 - Approval of Unlicensed Personnel

(1) Any contracted DIDD provider agency employing staff who are not otherwise authorized by law to administer medications shall be allowed to perform such duties only after passing competency testing. Certified personnel who administer medications within the provision of this paragraph shall be exempt from the licensing requirements of the Nurse Practice Act and the Rules of the Board of Nursing.

(2) Before administering medications, an employee shall successfully complete a medication administration program consisting of not less than twenty (20) hours of classroom instruction as set forth in these rules.

(3) To successfully complete a medication administration training program, an employee shall achieve a score of at least 80 percent (%) for the course based on a written, objective test on the components set forth in these regulations. Demonstrated proficiency in the practicum of medication administration shall also be required with a score of at least 80 percent (%).

(4) Certification shall be renewed every three (3) years by:

(5) DIDD shall allow employees who failed under the previous system to start fresh under the new system. DIDD shall remove any limit on the number of times an employee may take the exam with no waiting period between attempts. After the second failure of the employee to pass the examination, the cost of further testing shall be shifted to the provider.