IV Microcredential

Showcase Your Skills

The CMA (AAMA), I.V. designation recognizes additional training in IV initiation and discontinuation for current CMA (AAMA) certificants.

How It Works

Hold a current CMA (AAMA) credential.

Complete an approved IV course.

Receive confirmation of your IV designation.

How to Apply

Log in to your AAMA account. Current CMAs (AAMA) will see “Apply for I.V. Designation” under the Certification menu. Select the application, upload your course completion certificate, and submit the processing fee.

Important Details on the IV Microcredential

The CMA (AAMA), I.V. designation is not a separate certification but a recognition of additional approved training
The designation will be recorded in the AAMA database and can be verified by your employer through the AAMA website
Digital badges will not reflect the I.V. designation
The designation remains valid only while your CMA (AAMA) certification is current
If all requirements are met, your credential must be displayed as “CMA (AAMA), I.V."

Approved IV Courses

The Certifying Board is reviewing all received submissions. Once these courses and programs have been approved, they'll appear here.

View Approved Courses

The following specific courses have been approved by the AAMA Certifying Board to satisfy the IV training requirement for the IV credential. Additional courses may be added as they are reviewed, approved, and become available.

Infusion Knowledge

Peripheral IV Qualification Program for Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP)

Available beginning October 1, 2026. IV practice skills workshops will be scheduled separately.

Santa Fe Community College (SFCC)

Intravenous (IV) Therapy Training

For Educators

Review general information on developing an IV training course, access the request-for-proposal document, and read frequently asked questions.

Educator Information

Frequently Asked Questions

General

Why did the Certifying Board of the AAMA decide to offer an add-on microcredential to the CMA (AAMA)® in intravenous initiation and discontinuation?

For the last several years, the AAMA Executive Office staff (primarily AAMA Legal Counsel Donald A. Balasa, JD, MBA) has been receiving a large, increasing number of questions from medical assistants, licensed providers, other health care professionals, and practice managers about whether the law in the inquirer’s state permits medical assistants to be delegated the initiation and discontinuation of IVs.

After reviewing the research findings and recommendations from staff, the Certifying Board determined that it would be in the best interests of the CMA (AAMA)® certification and the medical assisting profession to create an add-on microcredential in IV initiation and discontinuation to meet the growing market demand for medical assistants with these IV skills.

Is the IV add-on microcredential an additional certification or a specialty certification?

No. The IV add-on microcredential is not an additional certification or a specialty certification like the CMA-A, CMA-P, and CMA-C specialty certifications that were discontinued by the Certifying Board in the 1980s. The add-on microcredential requires the completion of a course in IV initiation and discontinuation. Although these approved courses require verification of the requisite knowledge and psychomotor skill for safe and competent IV initiation, obtaining the IV add-on microcredential does not require the passing of a certification examination.

How many states permit medical assistants to initiate and discontinue IVs?

Approximately 8 states permit medical assistants to initiate and discontinue IVs. Approximately 8 states forbid medical assistants from initiating IVs. The laws of the remaining 34 states neither specifically authorize nor forbid medical assistants from initiating IVs.

The AAMA has started working to get state laws changed to allow CMAs (AAMA), I.V. to initiate and discontinue IVs.

Eligibility

Who is eligible for the add-on microcredential in IV initiation and discontinuation?

Only medical assistants who hold a current CMA (AAMA) credential are eligible for the IV add-on microcredential.

Are medical assistants who do not hold a current CMA (AAMA) able to obtain the IV add-on microcredential?

No. Medical assistants who do not hold a current CMA (AAMA) credential are not eligible for the IV add-on microcredential.

What must a current CMA (AAMA) do to obtain this add-on microcredential?

A current CMA (AAMA) must complete a course in IV initiation and discontinuation that has been approved by the Certifying Board. The CMA (AAMA) must then submit an application to the AAMA Certification Department, with a copy of the certificate of completion of the IV course and a nominal application fee.

After Earning the IV Microcredential

What must a current CMA (AAMA) do to maintain this add-on microcredential?

The IV add-on credential remains valid only while the individual maintains an active CMA (AAMA) credential. No additional continuing education or separate renewal process is required for the IV add-on credential at this time.

How can a current CMA (AAMA) who has completed an approved IV course indicate achievement of this add-on microcredential?

A current CMA (AAMA) who has completed an approved IV course is permitted to use the following designations after their name: “CMA (AAMA), I.V.” There must be no deviations from the format of these designations.

If the individual does not maintain the currency of their CMA (AAMA), the individual may no longer use the “CMA (AAMA)” or the “I.V.” designations.

IV MICROCREDENTIAL