Home Health Aide Certification Guide

One common thread among those looking to become home health aides is the wish to achieve a home health aide certification. Home health aide certification is an important component in achieving work as a HHA as it helps establish authority and experience as well as a minimum standard for the education of the HHA.

Home Health Aide Certification Requirements Each state ultimately has it's own Home health aide certification requirements so students need to check with the appropriate state departments in order to find out what these requirements are. This will allow potential or current students to make sure the HHA certificate training that they are receiving is within the bounds of the law. The most common governmental group involved in this promise is the states department of health. If they are not the proper governing body to inquire about the HHA certification, they will be able to forward you to the proper body. Some states may also require a CNA certificate before allowing HHA training to begin.

Generally speaking, HHA certification includes between 75-100 hours of course/class work as well as practical training. At the end of the training period, all HHA credentials will require the applicant to pass a written state exam as well as a practical skills test. Since some states also require CNA training or other classes, it is not uncommon to receive a CNA certification as well as a HHA certification at the same time.

Why do we need Home Health Aide Certification? Some potential HHA candidates wonder why all the need for certification exists. The short answer is that most home bound care recipients receive their care via medicare. In order to meet federal regulation, and receive medicare dollars, HHAs must be certified in their state. There is also a national HHA credential offered via the National Association for Home Care (NAHC). This makes it possible for HHA students in all states to receive their HHA certification.

At the end of this journey to HHA credentials, the HHA student will be recognized as a certified HHA. This will allow the HHA to work directly under a registered nurse and begin their career as a HHA.

Finally, there exist a number of HHA agencies that will offer HHA cert free of charge in return for a period of work that is contractually agreed to. These certifications are often times high quality as the student will need to be able to jump directly into the work force after their training period is over. One benefit of this arrangement is a guaranteed job after graduation. This should make any potential HHA certification seeker happy as the desire to help people should be strong in any HHA candidate.