Congratulations on your choice to start your career as a home health aide!
You’re entering a field that is in need of qualified workers. Just as important, with the aging population in the U.S., a demand that will grow. So, your chances of employment today and in the future are more than excellent!
Home Health Aide Job Description
Home health aides assist the disabled, chronically ill, or cognitively impaired.
On any given day, a home health aide may find themselves performing the following tasks:
- Helping clients with daily tasks such as dressing and bathing
- Simple housekeeping such as laundry, dishes, and vacuuming
- Buying groceries and cooking meals to a client’s dietary specifications
- Organize an individual’s schedule and planning appointments
- Providing companionship to the client
Home health aides in some states may even give a client medication or check vital signs under the direction of a healthcare practitioner.
Home Health Aide License
To become a home health aide, there are both federal and state regulations you must meet.
Federal regulations require individuals to obtain 75 hours of training. Including observation and documentation of the 17 skills demonstrating competency and passing a written exam.
Some states then require additional training and licensing to become certified. Click on your state below to learn more about what it takes to become a home health aide.
State | Minimum Training Hours | Minimum Clinical Hours |
---|---|---|
State | Minimum Training Hours | Minimum Clinical Hours |
Alabama | 75 | 16 |
Alaska | 140 | 80 |
Arizona | 75 | 16 |
Arkansas | 75 | 16 |
California | 120 | 20 |
Colorado | 75 | 16 |
Connecticut | 75 | 16 |
Delaware | 75 | 16 |
District of Columbia | 75 | 16 |
Florida | 75 | 16 |
Georgia | 75 | 16 |
Hawaii | 100 | 70 |
Idaho | 120 | 40 |
Illinois | 120 | 40 |
Indiana | 75 | 16 |
Iowa | 75 | 16 |
Kansas | 110 | 45 |
Kentucky | 75 | 16 |
Louisiana | 75 | 16 |
Maine | 180 | 70 |
Maryland | 100 | 40 |
Massachusetts | 75 | 16 |
Michigan | 75 | 16 |
Minnesota | 75 | 16 |
Mississippi | 75 | 16 |
Missouri | 75 | 16 |
Montana | 91 | 25 |
Nebraska | 75 | 16 |
Nevada | 75 | 16 |
New Hampshire | 100 | 60 |
New Jersey | 76 | 16 |
New Mexico | 75 | 16 |
New York | 75 | 16 |
North Carolina | 75 | 16 |
North Dakota | 75 | 16 |
Ohio | 75 | 16 |
Oklahoma | 75 | 16 |
Oregon | 75 | 16 |
Pennsylvania | 75 | 16 |
Rhode Island | 100 | 20 |
South Carolina | 75 | 16 |
South Dakota | 75 | 16 |
Tennessee | 75 | 16 |
Texas | 75 | 16 |
Utah | 75 | 16 |
Vermont | 80 | 30 |
Virginia | 75 | 16 |
Washington | 85 | 50 |
West Virginia | 75 | 16 |
Wisconsin | 120 | 32 |
Wyoming | 91 | 16 |