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Exam Overview
The Medication Aide Certification Examination (MACE) is a national exam developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). States that use it require candidates to pass the MACE before they can be certified as a medication aide or medication assistant (MA-C). The exam checks whether you can give medications safely under the delegation and supervision of a licensed nurse, observe and report what you see, and handle basic medication concepts and measurements.
Exam at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Developer | National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) |
| Questions | 60 multiple-choice questions, each with four answer options and one best answer |
| Scored items | The NCSBN content outline distributes 50 scored questions across the three content areas; the remaining questions are unscored pretest items that you cannot tell apart |
| Time | 2 hours (about 2 minutes per question) |
| Delivery | Online with a remote proctor, scheduled through your state's test vendor |
| Results | Scored right after you finish; the score report appears in your test-vendor account |
| Passing standard | Set by NCSBN; there is no published fixed percentage |
| Fees, attempts and retakes | Set by each state (for example, Colorado allows three attempts within one year with 48 hours between attempts) |
Content Areas and Weights
The NCSBN content outline divides the exam into three content areas. This guide follows the same three sections, and each practice test is weighted the same way.
| Content area | Topics in the outline | Where in this guide |
|---|---|---|
| I. Authorized Duties (16%) | Building relationships; delegation; role of the MA-C (permitted tasks, restrictions and limits); legal and ethical issues; locating and using resources and references | Section 1, Topics 1.1–1.5 |
| II. Medication Administration, Observation and Reporting (60%) | Administering and charting (orders, documentation, storage, disposal); safety and rights; routes; factors that influence medication action; classifications by body system and action; individuals' rights; causes and reporting of errors; reporting symptoms, side effects and changes from the client's normal condition | Section 2, Topics 2.1–2.6 |
| III. Medication Concepts and Measurements (24%) | Terminology and abbreviations; dosage ranges; actions; therapeutic, side, idiosyncratic, paradoxical and antagonistic effects; precautions; interactions; liquid, solid and semi-solid forms; measurements | Section 3, Topics 3.1–3.2 |
How the Exam Is Scored
Your result depends on the scored questions you answer correctly. There is no penalty for a wrong answer, so answer every question. Because pretest questions look exactly like scored ones, give every question your full effort.
Who Takes the MACE
Candidates are usually certified nursing assistants or other unlicensed staff who have completed a state-approved medication aide training program. Medication aides most often work in nursing homes, assisted living and other long-term care settings, in the settings and under the conditions their state allows. Check your state board of nursing for eligibility, application steps and certification renewal.
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