How to Become a Home Health Aide in New York City: Requirements, Training, and Certification
Home health aides help older adults and people with disabilities stay safe at home. It is a meaningful work, compared to most careers in healthcare, training is short. Demand for these jobs remains high in New York City. State projections indicate that home health and personal care aides are among the fastest-growing occupations in new york; tens of thousands of openings will be available each year.If you’re considering a change in your fall job this fall, here’s what you need to know: what does an aide do? How do i get certified as a home health aide in new york? What happens after my training?
The Short Version
To become a certified home health aide (HHA) in New York, you need to:
- be older than 18 years old;
- be able to read/write and follow directions);
- complete a state approved training course for a minimum of 75 hours;
- pass a competency assessment;
- register with the NYS Home Care Registry;
- complete a criminal background check & health screen by your hiring agency once employed.
The majority of students take only several weeks to accomplish their certification training.
What Does a Home Health Aide Do?
Home Health Aides assist their clients with daily routines. In many cases they are also regular visitors that have developed a trusting relationship with the client. Common tasks for Home Health Aide’s typically include:
- bathing and personal hygiene (showering, washing hair etc.)
- dressing and grooming
- assisting clients in toileting and managing urinary continence
- helping clients safely transfer from one area of the home to another (bed to chair)
- preparing meals and reminding clients to drink plenty of fluid
- performing light house keeping and laundry duties
- reminding clients when it is time to take medication
- and taking vital signs on behalf of the registered nurse who supervises them
- Personal Care Aide (PCA): completes a minimum of 40 hours of state-approved training. The focus is on personal care and daily living support.
- Home Health Aide (HHA): completes a minimum of 75 hours. Training includes everything a PCA learns plus health-related tasks, performed under nurse supervision.
- Age: an applicant must be eighteen years old.
- Education: A high school diploma or GED is often required by these programs. While there are instances where a candidate has been accepted into one of these programs without a high school diploma or GED, it is less frequent than those who have met this requirement.
- Skillset: The ability to read, write, and comprehend written instructions; as well as maintaining simple records.
- Health Status: As this position requires employees to stand for extended periods of time; assist individuals with mobility issues; and perform lifting tasks on an ongoing basis, applicants must demonstrate that they possess good physical health.
- Credibility: Applicants will undergo a background investigation through fingerprints prior to being hired.
- Your social security card
- Documentation showing you are authorized to legally work in the United States
- Documentation of an acceptable physical examination with testing for tuberculosis (PPD)
- Documentation of immunizations (vaccinations)
- A copy of your High School Diploma or GED if the course has this requirement
- Ask about any additional documentation you need to provide to complete your application
- Communication and documentation
- Infection control
- Reading and recording vital signs
- Safe transfer techniques and body mechanics
- Personal hygiene and grooming
- Nutrition and meal preparation
- Emergency procedures
- Understanding the needs of older adults and clients with disabilities
- Was this program authorized as a training program by either New York’s State
- Department of Health or New York State Education Department?
- What are all costs associated with attending this school (exams, uniform, health screening, etc.)?
- Are you required to commit to working for a particular agency once you complete the program?
- Does the program provide assistance in finding employment to its graduates?
- Advanced Home Health Aide (AHHA): The AHHA is a highly skilled aide who has been providing care in the client’s home for one year or longer; holds a current certification in CPR; and holds either a high school diploma or equivalency. An individual with these credentials may take additional training and pass a state certified exam to perform some medication-related functions.
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA): For individuals interested in caring for patients within long term care facilities.
- Nurse: Many HHA’s have used their experience as the base from which they began their studies to become LPNs/RNs.
- Scheduling flexibility and guaranteed hours
- Pay, overtime, and any benefits
- Ongoing training and in-service education
- Support from nurses and coordinators when questions come up
- Language support and how clients are matched with aides
- How the agency handles safety and communication
HHAs work in clients’ homes, and some in group homes, assisted care settings, and day programs. Because clients need care at all hours, schedules can include evenings, weekends, and overnights. You can see the kind of support aides provide on our Homecare Services page.
Home Health Aide vs. Personal Care Aide
New York has two related entry-level roles, and it helps to know the difference before you enroll.
If you start as a PCA, you can upgrade to HHA by completing additional health-related task training, roughly 35 more hours. Many people choose the HHA route from the start because it opens more doors.
Basic Requirements
Many of the specific details are left up to individual employers and programs. However, several common requirements exist in most positions. These include:
Step-by-Step: How to Get Certified
Step 1: Choose a State-Approved Training Program
Home Health Aide Training is required for all Home Health Aides working in New York. The training must come from an Approved Program as defined by the New York State Department of Health (in most cases) or the New York State Education Department. It would be wise to check with the department of education prior to enrolling in a program.Training is offered at many different locations throughout New York. These include vocational schools, BOCES, Community Colleges, Nursing Facilities and some Home Care Agencies. In addition to English, there are also some classes that can be taken in other languages such as Spanish and Russian; therefore it would be helpful to ask when signing up if they have classes offered in your native language.
Step 2: Prepare Your Documents
You will usually be required to submit the following documents as part of your application process:
Step 3: Complete the 75 Hours of Training
The amount of time for the course is 75 hours which is made up of 59 hours of classroom training and 16 hours of on-the-job supervised experience. Students should be able to complete all 75 hours in approximately 60 days after they have started. Many full-time students will be able to complete this in 2-3 weeks.
Training covers topics such as:
Step 4: Pass the Competency Evaluation
After training, you’ll show what you’ve learned. This typically includes a written portion and a hands-on skills demonstration, such as safely helping someone move from a bed to a chair.
Step 5: Receive Your Certificate and Get on the Registry
Once you complete the program and evaluation, the training program issues your certificate, and your information is entered in the New York State Home Care Registry. Employers use the registry to verify your training.
Step 6: Complete Hiring Requirements
Home care agencies in New York are required to run fingerprint-based criminal history checks on prospective aides and to verify their registry status. Agencies also require a health screening, which usually includes proof of TB testing and immunizations.
Step 7: Get Hired and Complete Orientation
Once you’re cleared, the agency will go through orientation, policies, and scheduling, then match you with clients based on your availability and location.
How Much Does Training Cost?
Some (including those operated by public agencies) may provide training for free in exchange for your commitment to employment with them upon completion. The others will require payment of tuition. Prior to enrolling, find out:
How Much Do Home Health Aides Earn in NYC?
Home Care Aide Wages differ from one provider agency to another, however there is a minimum hourly wage established in NYS. Beginning Jan. 1st, 2026 all Home Health Care Aides working in NYC; Long Island and Westchester County will receive no less than an hourly wage of $19.65. Overtime wages are also required as follows: time and a half for hours worked over 40 weekly. Additional benefits/pay may also be available (depending on funding) through NYS Wage Parity Rules.
Where Can This Career Lead?
The option to become an HHA is both a professional path by itself or it may serve as a stepping stone into the larger field of health care. Some options available to the HHA include:
As well as developing many of the same technical skills utilized in all areas of health care, such as assessment, communication, problem solving, and patience, work as an HHA provides the opportunity to develop other important skills, including observation and critical thinking.
What to Look for in an Employer
Once you’re certified, the agency you choose matters as much as the training. Consider asking about:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a high school diploma to become an HHA in New York?
Many programs ask for a diploma or GED, but not all do. Having one can make it easier to enroll and get hired.
How long does it take to become a home health aide in NYC?
The required training is 75 hours. Full-time students can often finish in two to three weeks, depending on the program’s schedule.
Do I need experience?
No. Training programs are designed for beginners.
Is a background check required?
Yes. Agencies conduct fingerprint-based criminal history checks on prospective aides.
What’s the difference between an HHA and a CNA?
CNAs typically work in nursing homes, hospitals, and other facilities and complete a different training path. HHAs work mainly in clients’ homes. NYS also offers pathways for people to transition between roles, so ask a training program about your options.
Does my certificate expire?
Certification generally stays active as long as you keep working as an aide, and a long gap in employment can mean additional steps. Confirm the current rule with your training program or the Home Care Registry.
Can I work while I train?
Many programs offer daytime and evening schedules. Ask about options that fit your life.
Ready to Start Your Caregiving Career?
If you’d like to learn about joining a Brooklyn home care team, visit our How to Become a Caregiver page for next steps.
This article is for general information only. Training requirements, wages, and program details are set by New York State and may change. Confirm current information with the New York State Department of Health and the Department of Labor before enrolling.
October will be the time we see the Pharmacy Signs that indicate Flu Season has begun, the sniffles are going to circulate around us via the "B" Train and Families will begin to wonder if This will be the Year Mom/Dad gets Really Sick.Most Healthy Adults who get the Flu will have a terrible experience with the symptoms of the Flu, BUT for Older Adults- The Flu could be something else entirely. The purpose of this Guide is to provide information as to What You Can Do Now: Which type of Flu Shot to Ask Your Doctor About, How to Reduce Germs in your Home, When to Call Your Doctor because you may have some Warning Sign and How a Caregiver May Be Able to Assist. Why the Flu Is Harder on Older Adults With growing older, people have an increasingly weak immune response and most older adults suffer from diseases like coronary artery disease (heart), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (lung) Diabetes or others that will be worsened by having the flu. In addition, there are two common complications of the flu, pneumonia. The NYC Department of Health estimates that approximately 1500-2000 New Yorkers die annually due to the Seasonal Flu and Pneumonia. Pneumonia occurs in individuals who get the flu; however, receiving a vaccination for the flu does decrease your chances of getting severely ill with the flu, going into the Hospital due to the flu and dying from the flu. That’s why you should take this preventative measure seriously because a lot of these things are easy. Step One: The Flu Shot When to Get It For most people, September or October is the ideal window, though vaccination is still worthwhile later in the season while flu viruses are circulating. Immunity takes about two weeks to build, so earlier is better than waiting for a wave to hit. Which Flu Shot Is Best for Seniors? If your elderly family member is over 65, you need to find out if enhanced flu vaccine types are available. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommend three different types of high-dose flu vaccines that have been proven to be effective in elderly populations: Fluzone High-Dose, Fluad (adjuvant), and Flublok (recombinant) . The studies show that the enhanced flu vaccines are very likely to produce a higher antibody level compared to the regular dose flu vaccinations. Some practical notes about getting vaccinated: Do not delay seeking vaccination due to a particular brand. In that case, when the preferred (and/or) age appropriate flu vaccines are unavailable; choose another flu vaccine instead of waiting. Egg allergies are generally not a barrier. Individuals with egg allergies can receive any age-appropriate flu vaccine. A new option is available this season. In August, the food and drug administration (FDA) granted full approval for adults aged 50-64 years for the first mrna flu vaccine, mflusiva. Additionally, the FDA provided expedited (or "accelerated") approval for adults 65 years and older as part of its ongoing research. At the time vaccinations began, availability and insurance coverage were still under development. Please consult your physician or pharmacist regarding eligibility of the mflusiva for your family member. For the 2026–2027 season, all U.S. flu vaccines are trivalent, meaning they protect against three flu viruses. Other Shots Can Be Given at the Same Time The flu vaccine can be given at the same visit as the COVID-19 vaccine and, for those who are eligible, the RSV vaccine. Ask your loved one's doctor which vaccines are recommended for them this fall, since recommendations for COVID and RSV can vary by age and health. Where to Get Vaccinated in Brooklyn The patient’s primary care physician, or their local pharmacy. Many large pharmacies offer flu vaccinations. New York City Health & Hospital Corporation (HHC) and Gotham Health facilities. Established HHC/Gotham Health patients receive free vaccinations. NYC Health Map. Low cost/no cost vaccination locations may be found on the map. Patients who have little or no health coverage. In-home vaccinations. In years past, New York City provided in-home vaccination to its home-bound population. Contact 311 or your local NYCDOH to determine availability of these services this year. Original Medicare (Part B) generally covers one flu shot per season. If your loved one has a Medicare Advantage plan or Medicaid, check the plan for details. Don't Forget the People Around Them Vaccination is especially important for people at higher risk of serious flu complications and for those who live with or care for them. If you're a family caregiver, getting your own flu shot is one of the best things you can do for your loved one. Step Two: Make the Home Flu-Ready Vaccines aren't perfect, so it helps to layer protection. Wash your hands frequently, especially after being outdoors, and prior to preparing food for yourself and/or others. Keep hand sanitizer at the entrance. Prevent your sick guests/visitors from visiting by telling them that you would rather have them visit once they are no longer ill. This may be difficult to say to children/grandchildren/friends; however, it is worth having someone potentially miss a day or two to avoid a serious illness. Wipe down all high-touch areas (i.e., doorknobs, remote controls, telephones, light switches, etc.) as well as the bathroom. When possible open windows in the house and keep the house temperature comfortable, yet not too dry. Plan ahead. Stock up on essentials (e.g., thermometer, fluids, simple prepared foods, tissue, medications) to ensure you will not need to make a trip to the pharmacy while you and/or those around you are ill. Create a plan. Record the name of your physician's office, the name of your pharmacy, and the names of people available to assist if your family member becomes ill. If a caregiver or aide is coming into the home, it's fair to ask how the agency handles sick days and what it expects from staff during flu season. Flu Symptoms in Older Adults: What to Watch For The classic symptoms of influenza include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, body aches, fatigue, and runny/stuffy nose. However, for some elderly individuals their influenza can appear non-classically. Older adults with the flu may have little to no fever. As opposed to a fever, there is also potential for other symptoms to be observed including: Unusual drowsiness/new confusion Weakness/suddenly falls Decrease in desire/appetite; decrease in consumption of fluids (i.e. water); Deterioration in pre-existing conditions i.e. heart/lung issues Regardless of whether your senior presents with these new symptoms, all changes from what they normally do should warrant medical attention. When to Call the Doctor Call your loved one’s physician as soon as possible if you think he/she has the Flu, particularly during the first couple of days. Antiviral medication can significantly reduce the duration of the illness and help prevent serious side effects from occurring. However, antiviral medications will be most effective for reducing the duration of the illness and preventing serious side effects from occurring when administered to patients at least 48 hours after the onset of symptoms. Because older adult patients are at a higher risk for developing serious side effects associated with the Flu, it is reasonable to call their physician even before attempting to treat them on your own. In an emergency situation, when you experience serious symptoms such as: Difficulty in breathing Shortness of breath Persistent, severe chest or abdominal pain or pressure Sudden dizziness Confusion Unusual difficulty waking from sleep Extreme weakness No urine output Seizure Worsening symptoms including fever and cough after symptoms appear to have improved.This is NOT all-inclusive, nor will this be used as medical advice. If you think there may be something seriously wrong, always err on the side of caution and call. How a Caregiver Can Help During Flu Season Recovering from the flu at home is a lot easier with another set of hands, and it can be hard for a family member to be there around the clock. Here's where consistent, professional support makes a difference. When someone is sick, there are several things you as a caregiver may do. Provide plenty of fluids (and) make some simple meals because both dehydration and loss of appetite are very common during the flu. Take medication (or remind them to take their medication), including any that have been prescribed for an anti-viral. Look for and tell the family (or doctor) about changes in how your loved one is breathing; their level of alertness; or ability to move. Assist with bathing, going to the bathroom, and moving around the house carefully, which could be a time when they might fall. Clean and keep the environment at home neat and comfortable to help your loved one get enough rest. Our Homecare Services cover this kind of day-to-day support for seniors who want to stay in their own homes. In situations where there is a medical need (i.e. medication management, recovery from an illness such as pneumonia or post-hospitalization, etc.) that cannot be adequately addressed through Home Health Care services, Skilled Nursing Care at Home may be needed. More information regarding these types of services can be found on our Skilled Services webpage. If you are still uncertain regarding which service would best fit your needs, we have written a helpful guide titled "What Does Medicare Cover for Home Care in New York?" to help explain the differences between these two home health options. After the flu, recovery can take time. Fatigue and weakness can linger for weeks. That's a good moment to watch nutrition, gentle movement, and fall-proofing the home. Frequently Asked Questions Is the high-dose flu shot better for seniors?The CDC preferentially recommends high-dose, adjuvanted, or recombinant vaccines for adults 65 and older because they may offer stronger protection than standard-dose shots. If one isn't available, another age-appropriate flu vaccine is better than none. Can the flu shot give my parent the flu?No. Flu shots don't cause the flu. Some people have mild side effects, such as soreness, redness, swelling at the injection site, headache, low-grade fever, or muscle aches, and these usually pass quickly. Is it too late to get vaccinated if flu season has started?No. Vaccination is recommended throughout the season while flu viruses are circulating, though earlier is better. Can my loved one get the flu and COVID vaccines together?Yes, they can be given at the same visit. Check with their doctor about which vaccines they need this fall. What if my loved one can't leave the house?Ask their doctor about in-home options, and check with 311 or the NYC Health Department about programs for homebound residents. How can I tell the flu from a cold?The flu usually comes on suddenly and feels worse, with fever, body aches, and exhaustion. But symptoms overlap with colds and COVID-19, and older adults may show different signs, so when in doubt, call the doctor. Need an Extra Hand This Season? If you're helping a parent or spouse get through flu season and could use support, the team at Angel Care in Brooklyn is here to talk through what might help. Whether you need regular assistance at home or want to understand your options for skilled care, we're happy to answer questions. This article is for general information only and isn't medical advice. Talk with your loved one's doctor or pharmacist about vaccines and treatment, and call 911 in an emergency. Vaccine recommendations and availability can change, so confirm current guidance with the CDC or the NYC Health Department.
