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Caregiver training requirements in Illinois
Short answer
Home care agencies in Illinois must give personal care aides at least 10 hours of training.
The rules, role by role
Home Services Worker
Applies to: All home care agencies
- Training hours
- 10 hours (5 hours prior to first client; remaining 5 hours within the first 30 days after the start of employment)
- Competency test
- Yes
- Yearly training
- 10 hours of training annually
- Certificate
- Certification that a worker completed training with a licensed home services provider within the past year
- State registry
- No
- Who can teach it
- At least 2 years of experience in healthcare (home health or facility-based) and must be in a current supervisory position with a home services agency
Home Care Aide
Applies to: Agencies that receive reimbursement through the Medicaid Community Care Program
- Training hours
- 24 hours
- Competency test
- Yes
- Yearly training
- 12 hours of training annually
- Certificate
- Employer agencies must maintain certifications for all employees after they complete required training
- State registry
- No
- State curriculum
- Online training modules via In the Know or Care Academy
Homemaker
Applies to: Agencies that receive reimbursement through the Medicaid Home Services Program
- Training hours
- 12 hours
- Competency test
- No
- Yearly training
- 12 hours of training annually
- Certificate
- None
- State registry
- No
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 Illinois or your payer requires.
- 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). 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 Illinois
- Illinois Administrative Code. 2014. Personal Assistant (PA) Requirements . 77 IAC §686.10.
- Illinois Administrative Code. 2014. Homemaker Service Provider Requirements . 77 IAC §686.200.
- Illinois Administrative Code. 2023. Qualifications and Requirements for Home Services Workers . 77 IAC § 245.71.
- Illinois Administrative Code. 2024. Home Services Agencies. 77 IAC §245.210.
- Illinois Department of Human Services. “Home Services Program.” Accessed April 8, 2025.
States with similar rules
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Caregiver training in Illinois: common questions
How many hours of training does a caregiver need in Illinois?
Home care agencies in Illinois must give personal care aides at least 10 hours of training. Home health aides at Medicare-certified agencies need at least 75 hours under federal rules.
Do caregivers need a certificate in Illinois?
Yes for some roles: Illinois recognizes the Certification that a worker completed training with a licensed home services provider within the past year credential for home services workers.
Are home care agencies licensed in Illinois?
Yes. Illinois licenses home care agencies, so check the licensing rules for staff requirements beyond training, such as background checks.
Do private-pay agencies in Illinois have to train caregivers?
Yes. Illinois's training rules also cover aides at agencies serving private-pay clients.
Hiring in Illinois? See caregiver pay in Illinois, or try the free job description generator.