Top 11 Personal Care Assistant Certifications

Certifications are an important part of a personal care assistant's job market. They demonstrate a level of professionalism and knowledge that is attractive to potential employers. Certifications show that the individual has completed a course of study, passed examinations, and met certain standards set by the certifying organization. This shows that the assistant is knowledgeable about safety protocols, medical terminology, and other essential skills for working in the field of personal care. Additionally, certifications can lead to better pay and more job opportunities. Employers will often look for certified applicants as they have already demonstrated their expertise and commitment to the profession.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications for Personal Care Assistants and explain how they can help bolster a personal care assistant's career.

What are Personal Care Assistant Certifications?

Personal Care Assistant (PCA) certification is a program designed to provide training and education to individuals who wish to become certified as a Personal Care Assistant. The certification process typically includes a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on experience in which PCAs learn the necessary skills to provide quality care for their clients. PCA certification provides caregivers with an increased ability to effectively provide assistance to people with disabilities, the elderly, or those recovering from illness or injury.

PCA certification can help caregivers gain the knowledge and skills needed to carry out their duties safely and competently. It can also help them develop better communication skills, understand the rights of their clients, recognize signs of abuse or neglect, and develop strategies for dealing with challenging behaviors. Additionally, having PCA certification can demonstrate to employers that an individual is competent in providing personal care services and may increase their chances of getting hired for jobs in this field.

Pro Tip: Make sure to research the requirements for personal care assistant certification in your state. Different states have different requirements, so it's important to make sure you understand what is required of you before beginning the process. Additionally, consider taking a course or attending a workshop to gain additional knowledge and skills related to working as a personal care assistant.

Related: What does a Personal Care Assistant do?

Top 11 Personal Care Assistant Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Personal Care Assistants today.

1. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is a healthcare professional who provides basic care to patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and other medical facilities. CNAs are responsible for helping patients with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and eating. They also provide assistance with physical therapy exercises and help monitor vital signs.

It typically takes between 6 to 12 weeks to become a CNA depending on the program you choose. Most programs require students to complete a combination of classroom instruction and clinical training in order to become certified.

To become a CNA you must first complete an accredited program that meets state requirements. After completing the program, you must then pass the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) exam in order to be certified.

The cost of becoming a CNA varies depending on the program you choose and where it is located; however, most programs range from $500-$1000.

2. Certified Home Health Aide (CHHA)

Certified Home Health Aide (CHHA) is a certification that allows individuals to provide in-home care to elderly, disabled, and chronically ill patients. CHHAs help with activities of daily living such as bathing, grooming, dressing, meal preparation, light housekeeping, and medication reminders. They also provide companionship and emotional support to their clients.

In order to become a CHHA, you must complete an approved training program. Training programs typically take about 75 hours to complete and include both classroom instruction and hands-on clinical experience. After completing the training program, you must pass a competency exam before you can receive your certification.

The cost of becoming a CHHA varies depending on the state in which you live; however, it typically ranges from $200-$600 for the training program plus any associated fees for the certification exam. Additionally, many states require that CHHAs have continuing education credits each year in order to maintain their certification status.

3. Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)

A Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) is a healthcare professional who works under the supervision of a physician or other licensed healthcare provider. They are responsible for performing administrative and clinical tasks to support the delivery of patient care. This includes taking vital signs, preparing patients for examination, collecting and processing laboratory specimens, administering medications, and assisting with minor surgical procedures.

To become a CMA, you must complete an accredited program that typically takes one to two years to complete. These programs can be found at community colleges, vocational schools, universities, or online institutions. After completing your program, you must pass the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA).

The cost of becoming a CMA varies depending on where you take your program. Generally speaking, it can range from $2,000 - $10,000 depending on the length of the program and its associated fees. Additionally, there is a one-time fee for taking the AAMA exam which is currently set at $125.

4. Certified Personal Care Aide (CPCA)

Certified Personal Care Aide (CPCA) is a certification program designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide personal care services in a variety of settings. This certification is offered through the National Association of Home Care & Hospice (NAHC).

The CPCA certification program consists of two parts: an online course and a practical exam. The online course covers topics such as basic anatomy and physiology, infection control, communication and documentation, safety and emergency procedures, nutrition, medication administration, and more. The practical exam tests the individual's ability to apply what they have learned from the online course in real-life situations.

It typically takes about six weeks to complete the CPCA certification program. To get certified, individuals must first complete the online course and then pass both the written and practical exams.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on which state you are located in. Generally speaking, it costs around $200 for the entire program including both exams.

5. Certified Geriatric Care Manager (GCM)

A Certified Geriatric Care Manager (GCM) is a professional who specializes in providing comprehensive care management services to older adults and their families. GCMs are trained to assess the needs of elderly individuals, develop plans of care, coordinate services, and monitor the quality of care provided. They may also provide counseling, advocacy, and education to clients and their families.

To become a Certified Geriatric Care Manager (GCM), one must first complete an accredited gerontology program or have at least two years of experience in the field of aging. After completing the necessary educational requirements, applicants must pass an exam administered by the National Academy of Certified Care Managers (NACCM). The exam consists of multiple-choice questions that assess knowledge about gerontology, care management principles, and ethical standards for practice.

The cost for taking the NACCM exam varies depending on whether you are a member or non-member of NACCM. For members, the fee is $400; for non-members it is $500. After passing the exam, there is an annual renewal fee of $100 for members and $150 for non-members.

Once certified as a GCM, professionals must maintain their certification by completing continuing education courses every two years. The cost for these courses varies depending on which courses are taken and where they are offered.

6. Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT)

Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide quality patient care in a variety of healthcare settings. CPCTs are trained to perform basic patient care tasks such as taking vital signs, administering medications, collecting specimens, and providing assistance with activities of daily living.

The CPCT certification is offered through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). To become certified, applicants must pass a written exam and demonstrate proficiency in specific areas of patient care. The exam consists of 125 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, infection control, and patient safety.

It typically takes about three months to prepare for the exam. Applicants can use study materials provided by NHA or purchase additional study materials from third-party vendors. Additionally, many employers offer on-the-job training programs that can help prepare applicants for the CPCT exam.

The cost of the CPCT exam varies depending on the applicant’s location but typically ranges from $105-$125. Once an applicant passes the exam, they will receive their official certification card within 4-6 weeks.

7. Certified Home Care Aide (CHCA)

Certified Home Care Aide (CHCA) is a certification program for individuals who provide home care services to elderly and disabled individuals. The CHCA certification program is designed to ensure that home care aides have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide safe, competent, and ethical care in a variety of settings.

The CHCA certification program requires completion of a minimum of 75 hours of training, which includes both classroom instruction and supervised clinical experience. The curriculum covers topics such as communication, safety, infection control, nutrition, personal care skills, legal/ethical issues in home care, and other related topics. Upon successful completion of the program, individuals are eligible to take the National Home Care Aide Certification Exam administered by the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC).

The cost of the CHCA certification program varies depending on the provider; however, it typically ranges from $500-$1000. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with taking the NAHC exam such as registration fees and study materials.

In order to obtain CHCA certification an individual must complete an approved training program and pass the NAHC exam. It typically takes between four to six weeks to complete the training portion of the program; however this can vary depending on an individual's schedule and availability.

8. Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP)

A Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) is a professional who has specialized training and experience in understanding and managing the care of individuals with dementia. The CDP credential is offered by the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners (NCCDP).

The CDP program consists of an online course that covers topics such as understanding dementia, communication techniques, legal and ethical issues, and personal care. It also includes a fieldwork component that requires hands-on practice in providing care for individuals with dementia. To become certified, applicants must complete the course and pass a written exam.

It typically takes about six months to complete the coursework and fieldwork components of the CDP program. The cost of the program varies depending on whether you choose to take it online or in person, but it usually ranges from $500-$1000.

To get started, applicants should visit the NCCDP website to review the requirements for certification and to register for the course. Once registered, applicants will have access to all of the materials needed to complete their studies. After completing all course requirements and passing the exam, applicants will be issued a certificate verifying their status as a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP).

9. Certified Residential Medication Aide (CRMA)

Certified Residential Medication Aide (CRMA) is a certification program designed to train individuals to safely and effectively administer medication in residential settings. The CRMA program is offered by the Maine State Board of Nursing and requires completion of a course that includes classroom instruction, clinical practice, and an exam.

The CRMA program typically takes between six to nine months to complete depending on the individual’s availability and commitment. To get certified as a CRMA, an individual must complete a state-approved training program, pass an exam, and submit an application for licensure. The cost of the training program varies depending on the provider but typically ranges from $1000-$1500. Additionally, there is an application fee of $50 due when submitting the application for licensure.

Once certified as a CRMA, individuals are eligible to work in residential care facilities such as nursing homes or assisted living facilities where they can provide medication administration services under the supervision of a registered nurse or other licensed healthcare professional.

10. National Association for Home Care and Hospice Certification Program

The National Association for Home Care and Hospice Certification Program (NAHC) is a voluntary program that helps to ensure the highest quality of home care and hospice services. It is designed to recognize organizations that meet or exceed national standards of excellence in providing home care and hospice services.

To become certified, organizations must complete an application process which includes submitting documentation demonstrating compliance with the NAHC Standards of Excellence. The process typically takes three to four months, depending on the complexity of the organization's operations.

Organizations must also pass an on-site survey conducted by a NAHC-accredited surveyor. The surveyor will review the organization's policies, procedures, and practices to ensure they meet all applicable standards.

The cost of certification varies depending on the size and complexity of the organization's operations. Generally, certification costs range from $2,000-$5,000 per year for small organizations and up to $10,000 or more for larger organizations.

11. American Red Cross Nurse Assistant Training Program

The American Red Cross Nurse Assistant Training Program is a comprehensive program designed to provide individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to become a certified nurse assistant. The program consists of both classroom instruction and hands-on clinical experience in a healthcare setting.

The program typically takes 8-12 weeks to complete depending on the specific requirements of the state in which it is being taken. During this time, students will learn about patient care, safety, communication, infection control, medical terminology, and other important topics related to nursing.

In order to get started in the program, individuals must first meet certain eligibility criteria such as being at least 16 years old and having a high school diploma or GED. After meeting these requirements, interested individuals can contact their local Red Cross chapter or visit their website for more information about enrolling in the course.

The cost of the Nurse Assistant Training Program varies depending on location but typically ranges from $500-$1000 for tuition and fees. This cost may also include textbooks, supplies, and other materials needed for completion of the course.

Do You Really Need a Personal Care Assistant Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your individual needs and goals. If you are looking to become a personal care assistant, then having a certificate could be beneficial in helping you get the job. A certificate can demonstrate that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide quality care to those who need it. It can also help open doors for further career advancement.

On the other hand, if you already have experience working in the field of personal care assistance, then a certificate may not be necessary. In many cases, employers will look more favorably upon someone with experience than someone with only a certificate. Additionally, depending on where you live, some states may require additional certifications or licensing in order to work as a personal care assistant.

Ultimately, the decision whether or not to pursue a personal care assistant certificate is up to you and should be based on your particular situation and goals. If you feel like having a certificate would give you an edge when applying for jobs or advancing your career, then it might be worth considering getting one.

Related: Personal Care Assistant Resume Examples

FAQs About Personal Care Assistant Certifications

1. What is a Personal Care Assistant Certification?

Answer: A Personal Care Assistant Certification (PCA) is a credential that certifies an individual to provide personal care services to individuals with disabilities, the elderly, or those recovering from illness or injury.

2. How do I become certified as a Personal Care Assistant?

Answer: To become certified as a Personal Care Assistant, you must complete an approved training program and pass the PCA certification exam.

3. What are the requirements for certification?

Answer: The specific requirements for certification vary by state, but generally include being at least 18 years old and having completed an approved training program in personal care services.

4. How long does it take to get certified as a Personal Care Assistant?

Answer: It usually takes anywhere from 6-12 weeks to complete the necessary training and pass the certification exam.

5. Is there any continuing education required after becoming certified?

Answer: Yes, many states require that PCAs participate in continuing education activities to maintain their certification status.