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Caregiver training requirements in California
Short answer
Home care agencies in California must give personal care aides at least 5 hours of training.
The rules, role by role
Affiliated Home Care Aide
Applies to: All home care agencies
- Training hours
- 5 hours before working with clients (2 hours of orientation and 3 hours of safety training)
- Competency test
- No
- Yearly training
- 5 hours every year
- Certificate
- Home Care Aide (HCA)
- State registry
- Yes
Federal rules that apply in every state
- Home health aides at Medicare-certified agencies need at least 75 hours of training, including at least 16 hours of supervised practical training (with 16 hours of classroom training first), and must pass a competency evaluation. They also need 12 hours of in-service training every year. 42 CFR 484.80
- Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) complete a state-approved program of at least 75 hours, including at least 16 hours of supervised practical training. Many states require more. 42 CFR 483.152
- There is no federal training standard for personal care aides(non-medical caregivers). That's set state by state, and sometimes only for Medicaid-funded work.
Before a new caregiver's first shift
- Keep proof of training — the certificate or sign-off for any training California or your payer requires.
- Check the state registry — California keeps a central registry of trained aides.
- Run the background checks your state licensing rules and your contracts require.
- Record expiry dates for CPR, TB tests and licenses, and renew them before they lapse.
Source: PHI, a review of each state's Medicaid rules, waivers and home care licensing regulations (2024–2025 policy). Entry-level hours confirmed against Cal. Health & Safety Code § 1796.44 (as amended by SB 412, 2025). Checked October 2026. Rules change — confirm with your state's licensing agency before you rely on them. This is general information, not legal advice.
Regulations cited for California
- Cal. Health & Safety Code § 1796.44 (SB 412, Chapter 414, Statutes of 2025)
- California Department of Social Services. “Information for Home Care Aides.” Accessed September 10, 2024.
- California Health and Safety Code. 2016. Registry and Exemptions . 1796 HSC §14.
- California Health and Safety Code. 2016. Affiliated Home Care Aides . 1796 HSC §44
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS). 2023. Home and Community Based Alternatives Waiver. Washington DC: CMS.
States with similar rules
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Caregiver training in California: common questions
How many hours of training does a caregiver need in California?
Home care agencies in California must give personal care aides at least 5 hours of training. Home health aides at Medicare-certified agencies need at least 75 hours under federal rules.
Do caregivers need a certificate in California?
Yes for some roles: California recognizes the Home Care Aide (HCA) credential for affiliated home care aides. California also keeps a central registry of trained aides.
Are home care agencies licensed in California?
Yes. California licenses home care agencies, so check the licensing rules for staff requirements beyond training, such as background checks.
Do private-pay agencies in California have to train caregivers?
Yes. California's training rules also cover aides at agencies serving private-pay clients.
Hiring in California? See caregiver pay in California, or try the free job description generator.