How to Become a Home Care Aide

1. Become Licensed, Certified, or Trained to Become a Home Health Aide

Requirements for certification or licensure vary from state to state. In some states, a home care aide can be employed without a high school diploma or previous work experience.

Online training is available to any who want to improve their skill set. Local agencies, such as vocational-technical training centers, facilities or community college programs, may provide training needed to satisfy state requirements for certification.

Most states do require some sort of demonstration of competency before providing direct patient care. If employed by a Medicare-certified home health provider, aides must complete a competency evaluation program to meet federal regulation standards.

This will generally include successful completion of a state test and demonstration of competency mastery in 12 areas of health care skills.