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Caregiver training requirements in Virginia
Short answer
Home care agencies in Virginia must give personal care aides at least 40 hours of training.
The rules, role by role
Home Attendant/Personal Care Aide
Applies to: All home care agencies
- Training hours
- 40 hours
- Competency test
- No
- Yearly training
- 12 hours annually
- Certificate
- None
- State registry
- No
- State curriculum
- Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services
- Who can teach it
- Registered nurse (RN) who has at least one year of clinical nursing 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 Virginia 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 Virginia
- Virginia Administrative Code. 2006. Home Attendants . 12 VAC §5-381-290.
- Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS). 2022. Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus Waiver Provider Manual.
- Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS). 2003. Personal Care Aide Training Curriculum. Richmond, VA: DMAS.
States with similar rules
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Caregiver training in Virginia: common questions
How many hours of training does a caregiver need in Virginia?
Home care agencies in Virginia 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 Virginia?
Virginia 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 Virginia?
Yes. Virginia licenses home care agencies, so check the licensing rules for staff requirements beyond training, such as background checks.
Do private-pay agencies in Virginia have to train caregivers?
Yes. Virginia's training rules also cover aides at agencies serving private-pay clients.
Hiring in Virginia? See caregiver pay in Virginia, or try the free job description generator.