Home Health Aide

A Home Health Aide is a trained professional who provides support with daily living tasks such as bathing, dressing, and grooming, often in a client’s home. Many also work in assisted living facilities.

While both roles involve direct care, a CNA usually works in medical settings like hospitals. A Home Health Aide typically works one-on-one in a home or community setting, focusing on clients with chronic illnesses and long-term care needs.

To complete the HHA training and receive your certificate, you must hold a California CNA Certificate or Diploma. However, you can begin the HHA course immediately after finishing your CNA training—even before taking the CNA state exam. Your HHA Certificate will only be released once you pass the CNA exam.

Many Home Health Aides support clients with bathing, meal preparation, light housekeeping, and recording vital signs. They help monitor a client's vital signs and report concerns to a healthcare provider. Many also assist with mobility and basic safety techniques.

A certified Home Health Aide training course is a short training program for CNAs who want to expand their skills. You do not need to take a certification exam to become a Home Health Aide in California, but you do need to be a CNA or enrolled in a CNA course.

In a Home Health Aide program, you learn how to assist clients with personal care, nutrition, and infection control. You’ll also study how to check and report vital signs. To enroll, you must be a CNA or have just finished the CNA Class (pre-testing). You can also bundle this course with a CNA course you are currently enrolled in. A high school diploma or equivalent is not required.

An HHA-certified course is a 40-hour course that lasts two weeks. After successful completion of the course, you will be certified to provide Home Health Aide duties and home health services.

Yes, in most states, certification is required to work as a Home Health Aide.