Continuing Education for Home Care Aides
Home Care Aide Certification Training
The Home Care Association of Washington and theProfessional Registry of Nursing have teamed up to help provide you with an affordable, efficient and cost effective training solution for your valuable caregivers. We can help you meet your training requirements with local, convenient classes for the 75 hour Core Basic Training, as well as Continuing Education and Nurse Delegation offerings.
To locate a Fundamentals of Caregiving or a Continuing Education class near you, click here to be redirected to the Professional Registry of Nursing website. Once you've identified a class that will meet your needs from the Training Schedules, simply select "Add to cart" and use their on-line shopping cart.
Organizations with accounts in good standing may simply select the Cheque option during Check-out to have their new training added to their monthly statement and invoice. If you'd like to establish an account for your organization, please contact our Training Department byemail, or simply call us at 253-617-7715 x3.
Members of the Home Care Association of Washington may complete aRegistration Form off-line, and then submit the form either by email, US Postal Service or FAX. Contact information is listed below. Member agencies shall receive a Monthly Training Report with a corresponding invoice.
If you've already completed a training course with us but can't find your certificate, a new one may be obtained for a small handling fee of only $10.00 by simply calling our office at the number below.
If you should have questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to contact us at: 1-855-751-2035 x3 or 253-617-7715 x3.
Another great way to communicate is by email .
Home Care Training Coalition
10828 Gravelly Lake Dr. SW, Suite 201
Lakewood, WA 98499
Phone: 253-617-7715 x3 or
Toll Free: 1-855-751-2035 x3.
Fax: 253-589-1514
Training Coordinator
Anita Saunders
Phone: 253-617-7715 ext 304
Email
Additional Resources
This information is provided by the Washington State Department of Health. For more information on how to become a home care aide pleasevisit their website.
Applications and Forms
Apply online
- Home Care Aide Apply Online
Apply on paper
All new applicants should complete the applicable documents below.Please download and print forms.
- Certification Application Packet (PDF)
- Gói Đơn đăng ký Chứng chỉ Hộ lý Chăm sóc Tại gia (PDF)
You may also need to complete the following PDF forms:
- Employment Verification Form (PDF)
- Credential Verification Form (PDF)
- AIDS Education and Training Attestation (PDF)
If you have limited English proficiency, and you previously submitted an application but did not request a provisional certification on your original application, please complete the following:
- Provisional Certification Supplemental Form (PDF)
If you hold a home care aide credential that has been expired under three years, please complete the following:
- Expired Certification Application Packet (PDF)
New Exam and Application Information
New Exam and Application Information
New application
- Combines the current, separate Department of Health and Prometric applications into one form.
- Completed form is submitted to the Department of Health; Prometric will continue to administer the exam.
- Both the certification application and Prometric exam fees are due to the Department of Health when application is submitted.
- The Department of Health notifies Prometric to schedule exam after applicant meets all requirements to take exam.
- Important! Prometricwill not schedule a certification exam without an email address.
- Applicants must check their email regularly, including junk and spam folders, for communication from the agency and/or Prometric.
- Applicants without an email address must list the email address for someone who will frequently check their email and pass on information to them.
- Previous applications forms received after April 29, 2016 are incomplete; applicants will receive an email requesting missing information.
- Contact Prometric directly to retake the exam.
New certification exam
- True-false questions, pictures, and animated scenarios
- Uses simplified language so the questions are easier to understand, but they are not easier
- Focuses on assessing content knowledge, not literacy or test-taking skills
- Oral translation of the exam is available to all applicants the day of the test
Apply Online
The home care aide certification application contains an attestation. This is a legal attestation. The attestation must be completed by the person applying for certification. It is not legal for this to be completed by anyone else. It may be a reportable felony offense. We may take action against people for making false statements.
For further information please see:
- Continuing Education; WAC 246-12-180; How to prove compliance
- Initial and renewal credentialing of practitioners; WAC 246-12-020; How to obtain an initial credential
If you aren't eligible for the DSHS benefit, also known as state pay, you'll need to pay the application and examination fees. You may use a debit card, credit card, or electronic bank withdrawal. Applicants eligible for state pay won't be asked to pay online. Please make sure your address on the payment screen matches the address your bank has for you. This fee is not refundable. There is a convenience fee to apply online.
After reviewing your application, we may contact you with additional questions. Check for any follow-up emails, including checking your spam and junk mail folder.
You may need additional forms, in addition to your application:
- Employment Verification (PDF)
- Credential Verification (PDF)
- AIDS Education and Training Attestation (PDF)
If you have questions, contact our Customer Service staff at 360-236-4700.
Getting started
Online Application Instructions
See the online application video.
Online application instructions are on our website. Online applications are accessed through SecureAccess Washington (SAW) security portal. You'll need to add the Department of Health Online Application Portal service to access the online applications. The first time you add the service, you'll be prompted to answer several questions to verify your identity. The questions will match the name and address you provide with the existing public record information. Because the questions come from public record, you need to provide a complete address and your full legal name as it appears on your driver's license or birth certificate. You may find you have to enter a former address, especially if your address has changed recently (within the past one or two years) to get the right questions that pertain to your identity. If don't have sufficient information in the public record to verify your identity and aren't currently credentialed by the Department of Health, then you'll need to submit a paper application, as you won't be able to access the Online Application Portal.
Once you have completed the process you will receive an email with your pending credential number, or you may look on Provider Credential Search. Refer to this credential number any time you contact Department of Health or submit paperwork.
License Requirements
- Chapter 18.88B RCW
- Chapter 246-980 WAC
Education and examination
Long-term care workers must complete 75 hours of training through a program approved by the Department of Social and Health Services, and must successfully pass the home care aide certification examination.
State license verification
Applicants must list all states where they do or did hold credentials. This list must also include when the applicant has applied for a credential, even if a credential was not granted. The jurisdiction where the applicant is or was credentialed must complete andsubmit the verification form (PDF). The jurisdiction must send the completed formdirectly to the department.
Personal data questions
Each applicant must answer the personal data questions. If there is a positive answer, the applicant must send an explanation, and for any conviction or legal proceeding, must also include copies of the original complaint, and the settlement or final disposition. If a case is pending, applicant must indicate status.
Background check
An applicant who is already working as a long-term care giver must have a fingerprint background check done through Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). DSHS will provide results directly to the Department of Health.
Additional information/documents required
- HIV/AIDS training – four hours
Note: This training is included in the required 75-hour course. However, some long-term care workers are exempt from training and certification. These applicants need to sign the affidavit verifying that they have completed the required AIDS education training.
Process for approving/denying applications
We finish final review for approval after a credentialing specialist verifies that the application is fully complete, and complies with requirements inchapter 18.88b RCW andchapter 246-980 WAC. We complete background checks and make sure applicants have submitted required fees. Credentialing supervisors and lead workers have the authority to approve routine applications. The disciplining authority may conduct further review if the credentialing supervisor can't verify the applicant meets all requirements. We'll formally notify applicants of a denial. Those applicants may request a hearing to appeal the decision.
Renewal requirements
Home care aides must renew their license every year. Credentials expire on the credential holder's birthday and may be renewed within 90 days of the expiration date.
Continuing education requirements
Twelve hours of continuing education approved by the Department of Social and Health Services is due each year with renewal of the certification. The home care aide must certify that he or she has completed the required continuing education with their renewal. The Department of Health randomly audits home care aides. If you are chosen for the continuing education audit, the department will contact you and request documentation that you completed the required continuing education during the required timeframe.
Resources
- Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Training and Classes
- DSHS background check process
- Nursing Assistant Alternative "Bridge" Training Program
- Home care aide checklist for individual, agency and facility providers
- Exam preparation materials (PDF)
Source: https://hcaw.org/home-care-aide-certification-training/
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