HCA Certification

Three steps to becoming a certified Home Care Aide.

Complete the Home Care Aide certification application process (Department of Health).
Complete 75 hours of training at Our Website
Apply and take a written and skills exam (Prometric).

What is included in the 75 hours of training?

5 hours

Orientation and Safety Training

Orientation to the care setting and information on safety practices
16 hours

Population Specific Training

Training tailored to a specific group of clients and their unique care needs
54 hours

Core Basic Training

38 hours of online interactive core basic training, plus 16 hours of in-person skills practice and demonstration at an approved facility.
Covering basic skills and information needed to provide hands on personal care

NOTE: 

As of February 29, 2024, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH)made changes to their Home Care Aide (HCA) credential and examscheduling process. If you are still completing your HCA certificationprocess, you will get an email from Prometric with information on how tolog into the new website. After logging in, you will be able to view your profile, exam activity and self-schedule for your English exam(s).  
The steps below have been updated to reflect the examination changes. 
Important information from DOH and Prometric:  
  • You can now schedule your own English HCA certification exam date with Prometric. 
  • Forany non-English exams or any caregiver needing an ADA accommodation–you will need to contact Prometric’s Testing Accommodations Team toschedule your exam by calling 1-800-967-1139.  
  • Exams scheduled before February 13, 2024 will transfer to the new website and do not need to be rescheduled.    
Learn more about these changes from Prometric. If you have any questions, please contact the Washington Home Care Aide team at 1-800-324-4689. 
Home Care Aide Fee Schedule Not included in the course price:
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Department of Health Fee’s:

Application fee

$100

Prometric Examination Fee paid Directly to the Department of Health:

$150

Other training that may be required of a LTC worker

Washington Care Academy Training is a licensed private vocational school and a contracted Community Instructor with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.

Specialty Training – required in AFHs and ALFs if any client/resident living in the home or facility has:

  • Dementia – Dementia Specialty
  • A mental health diagnosis – Mental Health Specialty
  • A developmental disability – Developmental Disability Specialty

Nurse Delegation Core Training:

  • Required if NAC, NAR or Certified Home Care Aide will be performing a nurse delegated task.

Nurse Delegation : Special Focus on Diabetes:

  • Required if NAC, NAR or Certified Home Care Aide will be performing insulin injections

Nurse Delegation : Special Focus on Diabetes:

  • Required if NAC, NAR or Certified Home Care Aide will be performing insulin injections

Continuing Education (CE)

  • Required if NAC, NAR or Certified Home Care Aide will be performing insulin injections