Home Health Aide Certification in California

Home health aides take care of elderly patients or care for patients with disabilities, cognitive impairment, or chronic illnesses. They assist patients with daily tasks like doing laundry and cleaning, personal care, shopping for groceries, and preparing meals. To work as a home health aide in California, you will have to complete a home health aide course and obtain a recognized home health aide (HHA) certificate.

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Home Health Aide Training Requirements in California

In line with California state code, a home health aide must be certified to be allowed to provide HHA services.

A total of 120 hours of home health aide training is needed to obtain a home health aide certificate.

The basic requirements to obtain an HHA certification in California include:

  • Applicants must be 16 years or older.
  • Applicants must have a government-issued ID and a valid social security card.
  • Have proof that they can meet the financial obligations of the program.
  • Clear criminal background check.
  • Ability to provide a current and complete medical report signed by a doctor or nurse practitioner that confirms no active communicable disease.
  • Signed entrance form.

Home Health Aide Training in California

There are two ways in which to obtain a home health aide certificate:

  1. Completing a 120-hour home health aide (HHA) certification program.
  2. Completing a 160-hour Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification, then completing a 40-hour HHA training program.

Completing a 120-hour HHA certification

Home health aides require a minimum of 120 hours of training. This includes 20 hours of clinical training and no more than 75 hours of classroom lectures.

The following topics will be covered:

  • Developing skills in interpreting the social and medical needs of the patient (20 hours).
  • Personal care services (70 hours).
  • Home cleaning and care tasks (10 hours).
  • Nutrition (16 hours).
  • Tasks in the home (10 hours)

Upon successful completion of the home health aide training program, students will be required to take their final certification exam.

This program is offered by community colleges, career colleges, nursing schools, healthcare organizations, and adult schools. Some institutions offer free HHA training.

Completing a 160-hour CNA certification

The 160-hour CNA course consists of 60 hours of classroom training and 100 internship hours.

The program prepares candidates to work as nursing assistants in a healthcare home or facility.

Completing the 40-hour HHA training program

This is an add-on training program and caters to prospective HHAs who have already completed the 160-hour CNA training.

Candidates should provide the following:

  • A valid CNA certificate or proof of completing the State of California Nursing Assistant Competency exam.
  • Current CPR card.

This home health aide training program is 40 hours in total and takes 2 weeks to complete.

The following topics will be covered:

  • Introduction (2 hours).
  • Interpreting the medical and social needs of patients (5 hours).
  • Personal care services (20 hours).
  • Nutrition (8 hours).
  • Home cleaning and care tasks (5 hours).

In total, students will complete 20 hours of lectures and 20 hours of clinical skills training. They will be required to pass a clinical skills demonstration after completing the training.

Graduates will receive an HHA certificate, approved by the California Department of Health Services.

To graduate from this program, candidates will need to:

  • Hold a valid CNA certification
  • Complete all training levels
  • Complete 20 hours of clinical skills training.

HHA California State Certification Exam

The HHA California State certification exam is taken after completion of the clinical training.

The exam is taken in two parts: a multiple-choice examination and a practical exam. It is administered by an independent testing organization, authorized by the State of California. A separate charge is paid to the organization for this exam.

Maintaining HHA Education Requirements

California-based HHAs are required to renew their HHA certificate every 2 years.

A total of 24 hours of in-service training must be completed before candidates submit their renewal application. Certified HHAs will need to complete a minimum of 12 hours of in-service training per year. Online continuing education units are not allowed to be counted towards this 24 hours of in-service training.

If candidates fail to meet the renewal requirements within four years, they will be required to retake an HHA training course. An active HHA certificate will be issued after completion.

Certification and Registration

HHA Certification Process

The prospective home health aide will need to complete a certification form and will also need to have fingerprints taken, using a Live Scan process. The Live Scan request, accompanied by the candidate’s other application material, will then be sent to the Department of Public Health after the applicant enrolls in an approved program.

Renewal for the certification is biannual.

Home Care Aide Registration

A candidate will need to have a criminal background check done to be registered as a home care aide. Registration is carried out through the Department of Social Services.

California HHA Salary and Career Outlook

A certified home health aide, working in the state of California, can expect to earn an average hourly wage of $14.04.

Wages vary by region, with wages in some California metropolitan areas that average between $18.85 (Santa Rosa area) and $15.64 (Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario area). Average wages in other metropolitan areas fluctuate between $13.71 (San Diego-Carlsbad area) and $13.56 (San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward area).

On average, US-based home health aides earn around $23,600 a year. In California, a qualified HHA can earn as much as $32,307 a year.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for HHAs are expected to grow by 25% from 2021to 2031. This demand for HHA services and other personal care aides is expected to continue to increase as the country’s baby-boom population ages and the US elderly population grows.

Find the latest HHA career data and information here.

Where to Find Work

Certified home health aides can approach home health agencies for vacancies. Home health aides, who have completed the required training and certification, may also apply at different organizations and employers.

Some training centers also assist their graduates in securing a job.

FAQs

What if I received my HHA training in a state other than California?

California does not allow HHAs, who received their training in other states, to work. Candidates must apply for and complete a state-approved HHA certificate.

How do I find an HHA training program?

Many community colleges, career colleges, nursing schools, healthcare organizations, and adult schools offer HHA training. You can get more information at any of these establishments.