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Caregiver training requirements in New Jersey
Short answer
Home care agencies in New Jersey must give personal care aides at least 76 hours of training.
The rules, role by role
Certified Homemaker-Home Health Aide
Applies to: All home care agencies
- Training hours
- 76 hours (60 classroom hours, 16 clinical hours)
- Competency test
- Yes
- Yearly training
- Not required
- Certificate
- Certified Homemaker-Home Health Aide (CHHA)
- State registry
- Yes
- Who can teach it
- Registered nurse (RN) with 2 years full-time or 4 years part-time experience, with at least one year in home or community health if full-time; at least two years in home or community health if part-time
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 New Jersey or your payer requires.
- Check the state registry — New Jersey 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). 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 New Jersey
- New Jersey Administrative Code. 2024. CHHA Training Program . 37 NJAC §13:37-14.4
- New Jersey Department of Human Services Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS). Personal Preference Program Fact Sheet. Accessed September 11, 2024. Trenton, NJ: DMAHS.
- New Jersey Board of Nursing. 2020. New Jersey Board of Nursing Law. 45 NJAC §11:23 – 11:52. Trenton, NJ: New Jersey Board of Nursing.
- New Jersey Office of the Attorney General. 2019. Homemaker-Home Health Aide Training Program and Instructor Personnel Record Form Information. Newark, NJ: New Jersey Office of the Attorney General.
States with similar rules
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Caregiver training in New Jersey: common questions
How many hours of training does a caregiver need in New Jersey?
Home care agencies in New Jersey must give personal care aides at least 76 hours of training. Home health aides at Medicare-certified agencies need at least 75 hours under federal rules.
Do caregivers need a certificate in New Jersey?
Yes for some roles: New Jersey recognizes the Certified Homemaker-Home Health Aide (CHHA) credential for certified homemaker-home health aides. New Jersey also keeps a central registry of trained aides.
Are home care agencies licensed in New Jersey?
Yes. New Jersey licenses home care agencies, so check the licensing rules for staff requirements beyond training, such as background checks.
Do private-pay agencies in New Jersey have to train caregivers?
Yes. New Jersey's training rules also cover aides at agencies serving private-pay clients.
Hiring in New Jersey? See caregiver pay in New Jersey, or try the free job description generator.