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Caregiver training requirements in Maryland
Short answer
Maryland's caregiver training rules apply only to agencies paid by Medicaid, and set no minimum number of hours.
If you only serve private-pay clients, Maryland doesn't require specific training for personal care aides.
The rules, role by role
Personal Assistance Provider
Applies to: Agencies that receive Medicaid reimbursement
- Training hours
- No minimum
- Competency test
- No
- Yearly training
- Not required
- Certificate
- None
- State registry
- No
- Who can teach it
- Registered nurse (RN)
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 Maryland 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 Maryland
- Maryland Division of State Documents. Training. 10 COMAR §07.05.11. Accessed April 8, 2025.
- Maryland Code of Regulations. 2024. Specific Conditions of Provider Participation – Personal Assistance. 10 COMAR § 09.20.05.
- Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Office of Health Care Financing. Personal Care Services in Maryland . Annapolis, MD: MDH. Accessed April 8, 2025.
- Maryland Health Care Commission. Opening a Maryland Residential Service Agency Fact Sheet. Annapolis, MD: MHCC. Accessed April 8, 2025.
States with similar rules
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Caregiver training in Maryland: common questions
How many hours of training does a caregiver need in Maryland?
Maryland's caregiver training rules apply only to agencies paid by Medicaid, and set no minimum number of hours. If you only serve private-pay clients, Maryland doesn't require specific training for personal care aides. Home health aides at Medicare-certified agencies need at least 75 hours under federal rules.
Do caregivers need a certificate in Maryland?
Maryland doesn't issue a specific certificate for personal care aides. CNAs and home health aides follow their own certification rules.
Are home care agencies licensed in Maryland?
Yes. Maryland licenses home care agencies, so check the licensing rules for staff requirements beyond training, such as background checks.
Do private-pay agencies in Maryland have to train caregivers?
No state training rule covers aides who only serve private-pay clients in Maryland, though many agencies train them anyway for quality and insurance reasons.
Hiring in Maryland? See caregiver pay in Maryland, or try the free job description generator.
