Caregiver Training Requirements by State

Do you know the caregiver training requirements in your state?

Caregiver course and training requirements can be complex. 

Federal law requires home health aides (HHAs) to complete at least 75 training hours before working with clients, but this is only the baseline. Every state has the authority to establish additional rules, and many do. Some states require specific topic coverage, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s training, while others set requirements for instructor approval, competency evaluations, or annual continuing education. The result is a confusing and ever-changing patchwork of standards across the United States.

If you are a home care agency owner, senior living operator, or manager in another care setting, this can make compliance feel like a full-time job. You don’t just need to know the federal minimums — you need to track state-specific rules for personal care aides (PCAs), HHAs, certified nursing assistants (CNAs), and even private-pay caregivers. And if you operate across multiple states, the complexity compounds.

In this guide, we will walk through the three broad levels of caregiver certification that states typically fall into, provide a detailed state-by-state index with quick links to official requirements, and share strategies for standardizing training across multiple locations. You will also learn how to navigate requirements more efficiently, avoid common compliance pitfalls, and use intelligent software to streamline caregiver onboarding and continuing education.

Three Levels of Caregiver Certification

When you zoom out, state caregiver requirements typically fall into three broad categories: high, medium, and low. While this is a simplification, because details can vary by role and payment source, it provides a useful framework for agencies trying to standardize their approach.

High requirement states include New York, Washington, and New Jersey.
These states often mandate 40 or more hours of initial training, plus annual continuing education. 

• New York requires personal care aides to complete 40 hours of training and home health aides to complete 75 hours, including 16 hours of hands-on clinical experience. 
• Washington requires long-term care workers to complete 75 hours of training within 120 days, plus 12 hours of continuing education each year. 
• New Jersey mandates 76 hours of HHA training, with an emphasis on patient safety and direct care skills. 

These states often also require programs to be approved by a state regulatory body, meaning organizations cannot simply create their own curricula — they must use state-approved courses and certified instructors.

Medium requirement states include Pennsylvania, Colorado, Illinois, and California.
These states require fewer hours but still mandate structured training. 

• California requires home care aides to complete 5 hours of initial training and 5 hours annually thereafter. 
• Pennsylvania mandates 8 hours of initial and annual training.
• Colorado requires 8 hours initially and annually. While these numbers are lower, employers must still document training topics and hours, making compliance tracking essential.

Low requirement states include Massachusetts, Virginia, Texas, Arizona, and Ohio.
These states have private-pay agencies and facilities that are not legally required to provide caregiver training. But that does not mean employers can skip training entirely. 

Medicaid-funded programs or HHAs often have requirements, and even in private-pay contexts, caregiver training is strongly recommended to reduce liability and improve client safety.

Tip for post-acute employers: Always verify requirements not just by state but also by role and payor type. A caregiver working under Medicaid may need far more training than a private-pay caregiver in the same state. Use CareAcademy’s state requirements index to make sure you are covered.

Quick Links: Caregiver Training Requirements by State

Since each state sets its own rules, it is best to have a one-stop index that provides a snapshot of requirements. Below is a quick directory of caregiver training requirements by state, with summaries and direct links to CareAcademy’s detailed pages. Use this list to jump directly to your state and confirm mandates.

Use this directory as your reference hub when hiring new caregivers, opening in a new state, or preparing for an audit.

How to Standardize Caregiver Training Across Statesy CareAcademy Is Built for Direct Care Worker Training

For organizations operating in more than one state, caregiver training can be difficult to manage because every state sets different requirements for hours, topics, and continuing education. Without a consistent approach, administrators face extra work, and caregivers may be unevenly prepared.

The most effective solution is to set an internal baseline that meets or exceeds the strictest requirement in your service area. For example, if the toughest state requires 75 initial hours plus 12 annual hours of continuing education, making that your standard ensures compliance everywhere. This simplifies oversight and provides caregivers with a stronger foundation for safe, high-quality care.

Equally important is the way training is delivered. Online programs allow employers to assign courses instantly, track completion, and let caregivers learn from any location. Automated reminders and dashboards reduce manual follow-up and keep records ready for audits.

Using modular packages is another best practice. Grouping courses by topic or role lets you assign only what each caregiver needs. For instance, dementia modules can be added for states where that training is mandatory, while all staff still complete your organization’s core curriculum.

Standardization also builds a culture of care. Caregivers feel confident in their skills, clients receive consistent service, and administrators save time while reducing risk.

How to Determine Caregiver Training Requirements in Your State

Every state publishes its own caregiver training rules, usually through the Department of Health or Aging. The simplest way to stay current is to use CareAcademy’s state-by-state index, which highlights the essentials without digging through long regulations.

Agencies and operators should also assign one person to monitor updates, as requirements change and often differ by role or payment source. 

Caregiver training rules may differ by state, but compliance doesn’t have to be complicated. CareAcademy makes it simple to assign the right courses, track progress, and stay audit-ready. 

Start your free trial today and see how easily you can keep your organization compliant and ready to scale  — no credit card required.