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Caregiver training requirements in New York
Short answer
Home care agencies in New York must give personal care aides at least 40 hours of training.
The rules, role by role
Personal Care Aide
Applies to: All home care agencies
- Training hours
- 40 hours (must be completed within 90 days of entry into the training program)
- Competency test
- Yes
- Yearly training
- 3 hours semiannually
- Certificate
- Personal Care Aide (PCA)
- State registry
- Yes
- State curriculum
- The Home Care Curriculum
- Who can teach it
- RN with 2 years of experience
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 York or your payer requires.
- Check the state registry — New York 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 York
- New York State. 2021. Personal Care Services. 18.505.14.
- New York State Department of Health (DOH). 2022. Guide to the Operation of a Personal Care Aide Training Program. Albany, NY: DOH.
- New York State Department of Health (DOH). 2007. Home Care Curriculum. Albany, NY: DOH
- New York State Department of Health. 2021. “11OHIP/ADMI-6 – Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) Scope and Procedures.” Last modified December 2021.
- New York State Department of Health. 2024. “NYS Department of Health Office of Health Insurance Programs: Guidelines for the Provision of Personal Care Services in Medicaid Managed Care.” Last modified September 2024.
- New York State Department of Health. 2009. “New York State Home Care Registry.” Accessed April 8, 2025.
States with similar rules
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Caregiver training in New York: common questions
How many hours of training does a caregiver need in New York?
Home care agencies in New York must give personal care aides at least 40 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 York?
Yes for some roles: New York recognizes the Personal Care Aide (PCA) credential for personal care aides. New York also keeps a central registry of trained aides.
Are home care agencies licensed in New York?
Yes. New York licenses home care agencies, so check the licensing rules for staff requirements beyond training, such as background checks.
Do private-pay agencies in New York have to train caregivers?
Yes. New York's training rules also cover aides at agencies serving private-pay clients.
Hiring in New York? See caregiver pay in New York, or try the free job description generator.