Understand training requirements for Alabama
Caregiving roles in Alabama
- Private-Pay Caregiver
- Companions
- Homemakers
- Personal Care Aides
- Home Health Aides (HHA)
Number of hours to meet the requirement for initial onboarding training
- Private-Pay Caregiver: No specific training requirements for initial onboarding, but caregivers can receive training through CareAcademy.
- In-Home Worker (Medicaid):
- Companion: At least 6 hours of initial training, with 4 hours allowed for self-study (e.g., online).
- Homemaker: At least 6 hours of initial training, with 4 hours allowed for self-study (e.g., online).
- Personal Care Aide: Must complete Companion or Homemaker training depending on the job role, prior to providing services.
- Home Health Aide: 75 hours of initial training, including 59 hours of classroom training and 16 hours of clinical training.
Number of hours to meet the requirement for annual training
- Private-Pay Caregiver: No annual training requirements; caregivers can receive ongoing training through CareAcademy.
- In-Home Worker (Medicaid):
- Companion: At least 6 hours of annual in-service training, with 4 hours allowed for self-study (e.g., online).
- Homemaker: At least 6 hours of annual in-service training, with 4 hours allowed for self-study (e.g., online).
- Personal Care Aide: 12 hours of continuing education annually, with 4 hours allowed for self-study (e.g., online).
- Home Health Aide: 12 hours of continuing education annually.
Caregivers can get the following training through CareAcademy
- Private-Pay Caregiver: CareAcademy offers training on various topics, including client care, safety protocols, and more.
- In-Home Worker (Medicaid):
- Companion: CareAcademy offers training on the required 6 hours of initial and annual in-service training.
- Homemaker: CareAcademy offers training on the required 6 hours of initial and annual in-service training.
- Personal Care Aide: CareAcademy offers training on the required 12 hours of annual continuing education.
- Home Health Aide: CareAcademy offers training to meet the 12-hour annual continuing education requirement.
What do you need to know about caregiver training requirements?
In Alabama, caregiver training requirements are set by different authorities based on whether caregivers are working in private-pay or Medicaid-funded settings. For in-home workers, the Alabama Medicaid program requires initial and annual training for Companions, Homemakers, and Personal Care Aides, including certifications in First Aid, fire safety, and emergency procedures. Home Health Aides must complete 75 hours of initial training and meet federal continuing education requirements.
Private-Pay Caregiver: No specific state-mandated training requirements; training can be provided by agencies like CareAcademy.
In-Home Worker (Medicaid): Caregivers working in Medicaid-funded settings must follow the Alabama Medicaid HCBS regulations, including completing at least 6 hours of training for Companions and Homemakers, and 12 hours annually for Personal Care Aides.
Home Health Aide: Must meet federal requirements for initial training (75 hours) and complete 12 hours of continuing education annually.
Important to know
Licensing authorities
Private-Pay Caregivers
No licensing requirements for private-pay caregivers
HHAs
Regulated by the Alabama Department of Public Health and must meet federal regulations under 42 CFR 484.80
In-Home Worker (Medicaid)
Licensing authority for Medicaid in-home workers is the Alabama Medicaid Agency, with regulations under Chapter 36 of the HCBS for the Elderly & Disabled Waiver, and the Alabama Department of Senior Services Medicaid Waiver Programs.
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