Initial Certification — Prescribed Medications & Health-Related Activities

Category 1 is the starting point. This is the foundational DODD medication administration certification, and it is required before you can take any other category. Over two full days you'll learn how to safely prepare, administer, and document prescribed medications, along with the health-related activities that go with them.

WHAT’S COVERED

• The rights of medication administration and how to avoid medication errors

• Oral, topical, eye, ear, nose, inhaled, rectal, and vaginal medications

• Reading and following a physician's order and a Medication Administration Record (MAR)

• Documentation, transcription, and reporting requirements

• Recognizing and responding to side effects, adverse reactions, and refusals

• Storage, security, disposal, and controlled substance handling

• Health-related activities and when to escalate to a nurse

• Hands-on skills practice and the written/skills competency check

WHO SHOULD TAKE IT

Direct support professionals, home health aides, group home and day program staff, and anyone who needs DODD medication certification for the first time — or whose certification has been expired 61 or more days and requires a full retake.

Prerequisites — you must have both:

1. A high school diploma or equivalent (GED)

2. You must be an independent DODD provider or employed by a DODD-certified agency

G-Tube Care — Gastrostomy Tube Medication & Nutrition

A half-day specialty add-on for staff who support individuals receiving medication, formula, or nutrition through a gastrostomy tube. Classroom instruction plus hands-on practice with equipment before your skills check.

What's covered

• G-tube anatomy, tube types, and how a feeding system works

• Verifying placement and site care

• Administering medications through the tube, including crushing and flushing procedures

• Bolus and gravity feedings, formula preparation, and water flushes

• Troubleshooting clogs, leakage, and site irritation

• Documentation specific to tube administration

• When to stop and call the nurse or 911

• Hands-on skills practice and competency check

Prerequisite: You must hold a current Medication Administration Category 1 certification. Not sure? Check your status on DODD MAIS before you register.

Diabetes Care & Insulin Administration

A half-day specialty add-on for staff who support individuals living with diabetes. You'll learn to monitor blood glucose, administer insulin safely, and recognize and respond to a diabetic emergency.

What's covered

• Diabetes basics: Type 1, Type 2, and how the body uses insulin

• Blood glucose monitoring — meters, testing, and recording results

• Insulin types, storage, dose measurement, and injection sites

• Safe injection technique, site rotation, and sharps disposal

• Recognizing and responding to hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia

• Diet, activity, and illness — how they affect blood sugar

• Documentation and reporting to the nurse or physician

• Hands-on skills practice and competency check

Prerequisite: You must hold a current Medication Administration Category 1 certification. Not sure? Check your status on DODD MAIS before you register.

Both Specialty Certifications in One Day

Most staff end up needing both. Take Category 2 (G-Tube Care) in the morning and Category 3 (Diabetes Care & Insulin) in the afternoon, finish both certifications in a single day, and save $10 off the price of registering separately. Same instructors, same curriculum, same hands-on skills checks — just one trip instead of two.

Your day looks like this

• 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM — Category 2: G-Tube Care

• 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM — Lunch break (on your own)

• 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM — Category 3: Diabetes Care & Insulin

Prerequisite: You must hold a current Medication Administration Category 1 certification. Not sure? Check your status on DODD MAIS before you register.

Keep Your Certification Current

Your DODD medication administration certification does not last forever — it has to be renewed to stay active. This two-hour class is the fast, affordable way to stay current without repeating the full Category 1 course. Attend live on Zoom from wherever you are, or join us in person.

What's covered

• Review of the rights of medication administration and safe administration practice

• Current DODD rule changes and updates you need to know

• Common medication errors and how to prevent them

• Documentation and MAR review

• Refresher on your existing categories

• Questions from your real-world caseload

Who should take it

Anyone whose Category 1 certification is current and coming up for renewal, or whose certification expired 60 days ago or less

⚠ You have 60 days.
If you're within 60 days of your expiration date, this renewal class puts you back in good standing. On day 61, DODD requires you to retake Category 1 from the beginning — so don't wait.
Check your expiration date on DODD MAIS →
Not sure which class you need? Call (937) 280-5765 before you register and we'll tell you in about two minutes..