Top 11 Certified Home Health Aide Certifications

Certifications are important for a certified home health aide in the job market because they demonstrate that the individual has the knowledge and skills necessary to provide competent and quality care. Certifications also give employers assurance that the individual is qualified to work in this field, as well as demonstrating a commitment to professional development. Furthermore, certifications can help certified home health aides stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs and may result in higher wages and better benefits. Finally, having certifications can help open up opportunities for career advancement.

The article reviews top certifications for Certified Home Health Aides and explains how they can help further a certified home health aide's career.

What are Certified Home Health Aide Certifications?

Certified Home Health Aide (CHHA) certification is a credential awarded to those who have completed a state-approved training program in providing personal care and basic medical services to homebound patients. The CHHA certification allows for the individual to provide care for patients in their homes, rather than having them stay in a nursing facility or hospital. This type of certification is beneficial because it allows individuals to provide quality care for those who are unable to leave their homes due to illness or disability.

The CHHA certification requires the completion of an approved curriculum, which typically includes instruction on topics such as patient assessment, infection control, nutrition and meal planning, communication skills, and safety precautions. In addition, certified home health aides must demonstrate an understanding of how to provide personal care services such as bathing, grooming, dressing, and toileting assistance.

The CHHA certification also helps ensure that individuals providing home health services have the necessary knowledge and skills required to safely perform these duties. With this credential, home health aides can provide quality patient care while adhering to established standards of practice. Certified home health aides are also expected to maintain up-to-date knowledge on current medical practices and procedures so they can effectively assist their patients with any related needs they may have.

Overall, obtaining a Certified Home Health Aide (CHHA) certification can be beneficial for both the individual seeking the credential and those receiving care from them. It gives the former assurance that they possess the necessary qualifications needed to work as a competent home health aide while ensuring that those receiving care receive quality services from knowledgeable professionals who understand their needs.

Pro Tip: Make sure to research the requirements and costs associated with certified home health aide certification before signing up. It is important to understand what you will be expected to do and how much it will cost in order to make sure that it is the right decision for you.

Related: What does a Certified Home Health Aide do?

Top 11 Certified Home Health Aide Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Certified Home Health Aides today.

1. National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) Certified Home Health Aide (CHHA)

The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) Certified Home Health Aide (CHHA) is a certification program that provides home health aides with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide quality care to clients in their homes. The CHHA program is designed to help home health aides become more knowledgeable, competent, and skilled in providing care to clients.

It takes approximately three months to complete the CHHA program. During this time, students must complete a minimum of 75 hours of training, including both classroom instruction and supervised clinical practice. The course includes topics such as infection control, personal care techniques, communication skills, safety and emergency procedures, nutrition and hydration needs, medication management, and end-of-life care.

To get certified as a CHHA, individuals must meet certain eligibility requirements such as being at least 18 years of age; having a high school diploma or GED; completing an approved training program; passing a written exam; and meeting any other state-specific requirements.

The cost of the CHHA certification program varies depending on the provider offering it. Generally speaking, it can range from $400-$800 for the entire program including tuition fees, books/materials costs, exam fees etc.

2. American Red Cross Home Health Aide Certification

American Red Cross Home Health Aide Certification is a certification program that provides training and certification to individuals who wish to work as home health aides. The program is designed to teach home health aides the skills necessary to provide quality care for elderly, disabled, or ill individuals in their own homes.

The American Red Cross Home Health Aide Certification program consists of an online course and a practical skills assessment. The online course covers topics such as infection control, personal care, nutrition, safety and emergency preparedness, communication and interpersonal skills, and more. Upon completion of the online course, participants must pass a practical skills assessment at an approved testing site in order to receive their certification.

The American Red Cross Home Health Aide Certification program typically takes about six weeks to complete. To get started with the program, individuals must first complete an application form on the American Red Cross website. After submitting the application form, they will be given access to the online course materials and will need to register for a testing site near them in order to take the practical skills assessment.

The cost of the American Red Cross Home Health Aide Certification program varies depending on where you live and which test site you choose. Generally speaking, it costs around $100-$200 for the entire program including both the online course and practical skills assessment.

3. National Council for Certified Personal Care Aides (NCCPCA) Home Health Aide Certification

The National Council for Certified Personal Care Aides (NCCPCA) Home Health Aide Certification is a credential that recognizes the knowledge, skills and abilities of home health aides who provide direct care to clients in their homes. The certification is designed to ensure that home health aides are competent and qualified to provide quality care.

To obtain the NCCPCA Home Health Aide Certification, applicants must complete an approved training program and pass a competency exam. Training programs vary in length but typically take between 40-80 hours to complete. Applicants must also have at least one year of experience as a home health aide, or have completed an approved home health aide training program within the last two years.

The cost of the NCCPCA Home Health Aide Certification varies depending on the training program chosen. Generally, applicants can expect to pay between $500-$1,000 for tuition, books and materials. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with taking the competency exam, such as registration fees and travel expenses.

Once certified, home health aides must renew their certification every two years by completing continuing education courses or retaking the competency exam.

4. American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC) Home Health Aide Certification

The American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC) Home Health Aide Certification is a certification program designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of home health aides. This certification is voluntary and provides an opportunity for home health aides to demonstrate their commitment to providing quality care.

The ANCC Home Health Aide Certification is offered in two levels: Basic and Advanced. The Basic level certification is designed for those who are new to the profession, while the Advanced level certification is intended for experienced home health aides.

To become certified, applicants must complete a training program that meets or exceeds the standards set by the ANCC. Training programs may be offered through community colleges, vocational schools, or other organizations that have been approved by the ANCC. Upon completion of a training program, applicants must pass an exam administered by the ANCC in order to receive their certification.

It typically takes between three and six months to complete a training program and obtain certification from the ANCC. The cost of obtaining this certification varies depending on the type of training program chosen and other associated costs such as books and materials. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $500-$2000 USD to become certified as a home health aide through the ANCC.

5. National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Home Health Aide (CHHA)

The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Home Health Aide (CHHA) is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide safe, effective, and competent in-home care. The CHHA certification is designed to validate an individual’s ability to understand and implement basic home health care principles.

To become a CHHA, you must complete an approved training program that includes both classroom instruction and supervised clinical experience. Training programs vary in length from state to state but typically range from 75-120 hours of instruction. Upon completion of the training program, you must pass the NHA CHHA exam with a score of at least 70%.

Once you have successfully completed your training program and passed the NHA CHHA exam, you will be eligible for certification as a Certified Home Health Aide. To maintain your certification, you will need to renew it every two years by completing 12 continuing education hours or passing the NHA CHHA recertification exam.

The cost of becoming certified as a CHHA varies depending on the training provider; however, most programs range from $500-$1000.

6. National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) Certified Home Health Aide

The National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) Certified Home Health Aide is a certification program for home health aides. It is designed to provide recognition for those who demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to provide quality care in a home health setting. The certification requires successful completion of an exam that tests the individual’s understanding of the principles of home health care.

To receive the NBME Certified Home Health Aide designation, individuals must pass an exam that covers topics such as infection control, safety and emergency procedures, patient rights and responsibilities, nutrition management, medication administration, and other aspects of home health care. The exam takes approximately two hours to complete and consists of 150 multiple-choice questions.

In order to become certified as a Home Health Aide by the NBME, individuals must first complete a training program approved by their state or local government. After completing the training program, individuals may register for the NBME Certified Home Health Aide Exam. Registration can be completed online or by mail and costs $200. Once registered for the exam, individuals have six months to take it before their registration expires.

Once an individual passes the exam they will receive their official NBME Certified Home Health Aide certificate in the mail within four weeks. The certificate is valid for three years from the date it was issued and must be renewed every three years in order to maintain certification status.

7. Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) Certified Home Health Aide

The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) Certified Home Health Aide is a certification program that recognizes individuals who have met the standards set by the JCAHO for providing home health care services. The certification program is designed to ensure that home health aides are knowledgeable and competent in providing quality care to their clients.

To become certified, applicants must complete an approved training program and pass an exam administered by the JCAHO. The training program typically takes between six and twelve weeks to complete and covers topics such as infection control, patient rights, communication skills, nutrition, safety, and medical terminology.

To get certified as a JCAHO Certified Home Health Aide, applicants must first find an approved training program. These programs can be found online or through local community colleges or vocational schools. Once enrolled in a training program, applicants must complete all coursework and pass the required exam with a score of 75% or higher.

The cost of becoming certified as a JCAHO Certified Home Health Aide varies depending on the training provider. Generally speaking, most programs will cost around $500-$1000 for tuition and fees. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with books or supplies needed for the coursework.

8. National Association of Long Term Care Administrators Boards (NALTCAB) Certified Home Health Aide

The National Association of Long Term Care Administrators Boards (NALTCAB) Certified Home Health Aide is a certification program that provides home health aides with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide quality care to individuals in their homes. The program consists of three components: classroom instruction, clinical practice, and a final exam. The coursework covers topics such as infection control, nutrition, safety, communication, and other related topics.

It typically takes about six months to complete the program and receive certification. During this time, students must attend a minimum of 60 hours of classroom instruction and at least 16 hours of clinical practice. Upon successful completion of the coursework and passing the final exam, students are awarded their NALTCAB Certified Home Health Aide certificate.

To become certified as a NALTCAB Certified Home Health Aide, individuals must be 18 years or older and have either a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Additionally, they must have completed an approved home health aide training program or have at least one year of experience providing home health services in the past five years.

The cost for taking the NALTCAB Certified Home Health Aide course varies depending on where you take it and how long it takes you to complete it. Generally speaking, the cost ranges from $500-$1000 for tuition fees plus additional expenses for textbooks and materials needed for the coursework.

9. Academy of Medical Surgical Nurses (AMSN) Certified Home Health Aide

The Academy of Medical Surgical Nurses (AMSN) Certified Home Health Aide is a credential that recognizes the knowledge and skills of home health aides who provide care to patients in their homes. This certification demonstrates the home health aide’s commitment to providing safe, effective, and compassionate care.

To obtain AMSN certification, applicants must have at least one year of experience as a home health aide and complete an approved training program. The program includes instruction on topics such as infection control, patient safety, communication and documentation, cultural sensitivity, nutrition and hydration, mobility assistance, and personal care.

The cost of the program varies depending on the provider; however, most programs cost between $250-$500. Generally speaking, it takes about three months to complete the program and receive your certification.

Once you have completed the program and passed the exam, you will be awarded an AMSN Certified Home Health Aide certificate from AMSN. This certificate is valid for two years from the date of issue. After two years, you will need to renew your certification by completing continuing education credits or retaking the exam.

10. American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) Certified Home Health Aide

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) Certified Home Health Aide is a certification program that provides recognition to home health aides who have achieved a high level of knowledge and skill in providing care to patients in their homes. This certification is designed to demonstrate the competency of home health aides in providing quality care for those under their supervision.

In order to become AANP Certified, home health aides must first complete a minimum of 75 hours of training that includes topics such as infection control, safety, nutrition, communication, and psychosocial needs. After completing the training, applicants must pass an examination administered by the AANP. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and requires applicants to demonstrate their knowledge and skills related to home health aide duties.

Once certified, home health aides are required to maintain their certification by completing continuing education every two years. The cost for the initial certification exam is $150 and renewal fees are $50 every two years.

Overall, becoming AANP Certified can take anywhere from several weeks to several months depending on how quickly the applicant completes the required training and passes the examination.

11. American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Certified Home Health Aide

The American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Certified Home Health Aide is a professional certification that recognizes the knowledge and skills of home health aides who provide quality care to patients in their homes. This certification is designed to demonstrate that an individual has achieved a level of competency in providing safe, effective, and compassionate care to individuals in their homes.

To become certified as a Home Health Aide through ACHE, individuals must complete an approved training program and pass the ACHE Certified Home Health Aide Examination. The training program typically takes between two and four weeks depending on the provider. Upon successful completion of the program, individuals are eligible to take the exam which consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as infection control, nutrition, safety, communication and interpersonal skills, patient rights and advocacy, medical terminology, and more.

The cost of becoming certified as a Home Health Aide through ACHE varies depending on the provider but typically ranges from $500-$1,000 for the entire process including tuition for the training program and fees for taking the exam.

Do You Really Need a Certified Home Health Aide Certificate?

Yes, a certified home health aide certificate is necessary for anyone interested in becoming a home health aide. Home health aides are responsible for providing medical and personal care services to patients in their homes. In order to provide quality care, they must understand the basics of medical care and be able to recognize signs of illness or injury. A certified home health aide certificate ensures that the individual has been trained in the appropriate skills needed to work as a home health aide.

The certification process involves taking an exam that covers topics such as basic anatomy and physiology, patient assessment, infection control, nutrition and safety. Individuals must also demonstrate knowledge of communication techniques, interpersonal skills and other important aspects of patient care. After successfully completing the certification exam, applicants receive a certificate which is valid for two years.

A certified home health aide certificate can open up many career opportunities for individuals seeking employment in the healthcare field. Employers prefer to hire individuals who have been certified by an accredited organization because it shows that they have received proper training and are knowledgeable about their duties and responsibilities as a home health aide. Additionally, having a certified home health aide certificate can help an individual stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs in this field.

In conclusion, having a certified home health aide certificate is essential if you wish to pursue a career as a home health aide. The certification process ensures that individuals possess the necessary skills and knowledge required to provide quality care to patients in their homes. It also helps employers identify qualified candidates who possess the right qualifications for the job.

Related: Certified Home Health Aide Resume Examples

FAQs About Certified Home Health Aide Certifications

1. What is a Certified Home Health Aide (CHHA) certification?

Answer: A Certified Home Health Aide (CHHA) certification is a professional designation that certifies an individual to provide basic medical care and personal care services to individuals in the home or other non-medical setting.

2. How do I become a CHHA certified?

Answer: To become a CHHA certified, you need to complete an approved training program and pass a competency exam. Depending on the state, you may also need to submit fingerprints and undergo a criminal background check.

3. What are the requirements for becoming CHHA certified?

Answer: The requirements for becoming CHHA certified vary by state, but generally include completing an approved training program, passing a competency exam, and submitting fingerprints/undergoing criminal background checks.

4. What type of job can I get with my CHHA certification?

Answer: With your CHHA certification, you may be able to work as a home health aide or in another related field such as personal care assistant or home health technician.

5. How long does it take to get my CHHA certification?

Answer: The time it takes to get your CHHA certification varies depending on the specific training program you choose and when you are able to take the competency exam; however, most programs can be completed within 6 months or less.