an essential step into a credentialed career
The Home Care Aide (HCA) Training Certificate is a 75-hour basic training program approved by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). Completing this training is one of the first steps toward obtaining full HCA certification.
What is HCA
This learning plan prepares caregivers to become a certified Home Care Aide (HCA), a required credential for working in Washington State long-term care settings. It fulfills the full 75-hour training requirement through Core Basic training, skills practice, and specialty courses.
• Individual Providers paid to provide in-home care services to DSHS clients.
• Direct care workers employed by home care agencies.
• Providers of home care services to persons with developmental disabilities under Title 71A RCW.
• All direct care workers in state-licensed assisted living facilities, adult family homes, as well as respite care providers, and community residential service providers.
• Any other direct care staff who provide home or community-based services to the elderly or persons with functional disabilities or developmental disabilities.
75 Hour Training Breakdown
Orientation Training: 2 hours of introductory information orienting new workers to the care setting and job.
Safety Training: 3 hours of introductory information on safety practices.
Basic Training: 70 hours of training that combines:
• Core basic training – Training covering the basic skills and information needed to provide hands on care.
• Population specific training – Training on topics unique to the care needs of the population served.
