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Caregiver training requirements in Ohio
Short answer
Home care agencies that serve people ages 60 and older in Ohio must give personal care aides at least 30 hours of training.
The rules, role by role
ODA-Certified Personal Care Aide
Applies to: All home care agencies that serve people ages 60 and older
- Training hours
- 30 hours
- Competency test
- Yes
- Yearly training
- 6 hours annually
- Certificate
- Personal Care Aide (PCA)
- State registry
- No
HHA or CNA certification can be substituted for these training requirements with an additional orientation that covers 7 of the 17 competencies that PCAs are trained in.
Personal Care Aide
Applies to: Home care agencies that receive funding through the Ohio Home Care Waiver
- Training hours
- No minimum
- Competency test
- Yes
- Yearly training
- 12 hours annually
- Certificate
- None
- State registry
- No
- Who can teach it
- Registered nurse (RN)
HHA certification can be substituted for these training requirements.
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 Ohio 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 Ohio
- Ohio Administrative Code. 2023. ODA Provider Certification: Requirements for Providers to Become, and to Remain, Certified . 173 OAC §39-02.
- Ohio Administrative Code. 2023. ODA Provider Certification: Choices Home Care Attendant Service .173 OAC §39-02.4.
- Ohio Administrative Code. 2023. ODA Provider Certification: Personal Care . 173 OAC §39-02.11.
- Ohio Administrative Code. 2024. Ohio Home Care Waiver: Definitions of the Covered Services and Provider Requirements and Specifications . 5160 OAC §46-04.
- Ohio Department of Aging. “PASSPORT Participant Direction.” Accessed April 10, 2025.
States with similar rules
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Caregiver training in Ohio: common questions
How many hours of training does a caregiver need in Ohio?
Home care agencies that serve people ages 60 and older in Ohio must give personal care aides at least 30 hours of training. Home health aides at Medicare-certified agencies need at least 75 hours under federal rules.
Do caregivers need a certificate in Ohio?
Yes for some roles: Ohio recognizes the Personal Care Aide (PCA) credential for oda-certified personal care aides.
Are home care agencies licensed in Ohio?
Yes. Ohio licenses home care agencies, so check the licensing rules for staff requirements beyond training, such as background checks.
Do private-pay agencies in Ohio have to train caregivers?
Yes. Ohio's training rules also cover aides at agencies serving private-pay clients.
Hiring in Ohio? See caregiver pay in Ohio, or try the free job description generator.