Is there a “renewal” course that is shorter than the full-day MAT course?

There is no specific “renewal” course in the MAT Program. However, child care providers wishing to obtain MAT Certification in less classroom time than the full-day MAT class can choose to take the MAT Independent Study (IS) class. The MAT IS class presents the same content as the full-day MAT class, but is divided into two parts, one of which is takenonline. The MAT IS class is well-suited to child care providers who have previously successfully taken the full-day MAT class and who are seeking MAT recertification in a minimum of classroom time. In addition, prices for the MAT IS class are lower than for the full-day MAT class.

You must successfully compete both Part 1 and Part 2 of the MAT IS class to obtain a MAT Certificate and be authorized to give medications to children in your care.

The online portion (Part 1) of the MAT IS class can be taken at the participant’s convenience, anywhere and anytime he or she has Internet access. Part 1 takes about 4 hours to complete online and is free.

Part 2 of the MAT IS class is taken in a classroom setting and is facilitated by an Approved MAT Trainer. Part 2 provides the same opportunities to practice all the skills covered by the MAT class and includes the same written and skills demonstration evaluations of the participant’s medication administration knowledge and skills as the full-day MAT class.

To register for Part 1 of the MAT IS class:

WARNING: The MAT IS Part 1 online course was offered through the VDSSKnowledgeLearningCenter prior to May 15, 2011. Many child day programs and child care providers still have documentation, usernames, passwords and links to register for this course on that system. However, you can no longer take the MAT IS Part 1 online course and print the required Part 1 Completion Certificate on the VDSS Knowledge Learning Center system!

Save yourself a great deal of time, stress and frustration by being sure you are registering on the newMATOnlineLearningCenter version of the MAT IS Online Course!

It’s easy to register for the MAT IS Part 1 online course on the new MATOnlineLearningCenter! Here’s how:

  1. Go to the MAT program webpage at
  2. Click the MAT IS Course Overview and Registration Instructions link, and click the MAT IS Part 1 Registration Form link which is inside that information sheet.
  3. Fill in that online form and click Submit.

Alternatively, you can go directly to the MAT IS Part 1 Registration Form using this link:

IMPORTANT – Please allow one business day after you submit your online registration for us to process your registration and email you your username and password!

To register for Part 2 of the MAT IS class:

  • Go to
  • Scroll down to the Find a MAT Class Near You on the VDSS TIPS Calendar link and click it
  • Scroll through the class offerings to see if a MAT IS Part 2 class is being offered at the time you need in a location close to you. If so, click on the blue link for that class to get contract information on the person or organization sponsoring the class.
  • Alternatively, go to , scroll down to the Find a MAT Trainer Near You link and click it. You must register directly with an approved MAT Trainer to take Part 2 of the MAT IS class.
  • If you are unable to find a MAT Trainer or class that meets your needs using the above steps, email and we will help you.