Personal Care Assistant (PCA) License

<p /> <table border="1"><tr><td><b>Licensure</b></td><td> Only required for federal employees; 75 hours of training and completion of proficiency exam or state certification</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Job Responsibilities</b></td><td> Assist elderly populations with everyday tasks and provide companionship</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Educational Requirements</b></td><td> High school diploma; PCA certificates are available for further training</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Certifications</b></td><td> Available through the National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHC)</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Median Salary (2023)</b></td><td> $30,000</td></tr> </table><p>A personal care assistant, or PCA, is an entry-level healthcare professional. Personal care assistants work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, long-term care centers, retirement communities, and clients' homes. </p> <p>The basic <a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_Does_a_Personal_Care_Attendant_PCA_Do.html">job function of a personal care assistant</a> is to assist the elderly or those suffering from chronic diseases or disabilities with performing daily tasks. Those who work in hospitals or clinical settings may provide basic medical care as well. </p> <p>Specific job duties vary widely depending on the setting. </p> <p>A PCA who provides care to the elderly in their home may assist them with bathing, dressing, preparing meals, shopping, and taking medications. </p> <p>A PCA working in a hospital may assist nurses and doctors with house cleaning duties, perform CPR and first aid, take vital signs, and assist patients with using the restroom or taking medications. </p> <p>Personal care assistants typically earn a median <a href="https://learn.org/article_directory/Salary_FAQs.html">salary</a> of just over $30,000 a year. </p> <h2 id="section---DoYouNeedALicenseToBecomeAPersonalCareAssistant">Do You Need a License to Become a Personal Care Assistant?</h2> <p>The requirements to become a personal care assistant vary widely from state to state; there are no national regulations or governing bodies that offer licenses or certifications. </p> <p>That said, in most states, training and passing competency tests are both required before you can begin working as a PCA. </p> <p>In some states, all you will need to do is pass a basic competency exam. The exam will cover topics relative to providing care to senior citizens and helping them remain independent. </p> <p>In other states, you may need to pass a certified nursing assistant or related nurse aide training program. This may involve completing a licensing exam following the training program. </p> <p>Still other states may provide specific personal care assistant training programs. These programs may be offered through hospitals or long-term care facilities. </p> <p>In Minnesota, for example, personal care assistants are employed through the state's PCA program. All employees must complete a standardized training program and pass a test. </p> <p>Similar training is required in New York, where standardized training programs must consist of at least 40 hours. </p> <p>Additionally, personal care assistants working in hospitals or care facilities may be required to have additional certifications or licenses. <b>These may include:</b> </p> <ul><li>CNA license </li><li>CPR certification </li><li>EKG and phlebotomy training </li></ul><p>Again though, exact requirements vary by state, as well as by place of employment. Those working for private citizens within the home may require less training than those working in facilities, and those with extensive experience may be able to test out of standardized training requirements. </p> <p>Your best bet is to look up what specific requirements must be met in your state or within companies where you are seeking employment. </p> <h2 id="section---HowDoYouBecomeAPersonalCareAssistant">How Do You Become a Personal Care Assistant?</h2> <p>As you can see, there is no one career path for those looking to become a personal care assistant. However, let's take a look at some <a href="https://learn.org/articles/How_Can_I_Become_a_Personal_Care_Assistant_PCA.html">specific steps</a> you can take as you pursue this career. </p> <h3 id="section---Step1ResearchLocalPCARequirements">Step 1: Research Local PCA Requirements</h3> <p>Again, prerequisites for becoming a personal care assistant vary from state to state and even from company to company. </p> <p>Find out about the requirements governing personal care assistants in your state or region. This can be as simple as looking up local PCA job listings online to find out the minimum training and licensing requirements local employers are looking for. </p> <p>Once you know what is expected in your area, you can make a plan for pursuing your career as a personal care assistant. </p> <h3 id="section---Step2CompleteTraining">Step 2: Complete Training</h3> <p>Your career path will likely involve some form of education. As discussed above, you may need to complete a personal care assistant or certified nursing assistant training program. </p> <p>If you already have extensive experience working in healthcare or caring for friends or family members, you may be able to test out of some states' required <a href="https://learn.org/articles/Personal_Care_Attendant_PCA_Training_Program_and_Course_FAQs.html">training programs</a>. </p> <p>In other areas, however, you may be required to complete on-the-job training when starting a new position even if you have years of relevant experience. </p> <p>Regardless, completing the required training is a crucial step in becoming a personal care assistant. </p> <p>Additionally, you may want to complete optional training programs even if they are not specifically required. For example, CPR and first aid training can be extremely beneficial whether you work in an emergency room or in the home. </p> <h3 id="section---Step3GetCertifiedOrLicensed">Step 3: Get Certified or Licensed</h3> <p>Once you have completed all of your training requirements, you will need to pass competency or licensing exams specific to your state or training program. </p> <p>These exams may or may not lead to a personal care assistant license or certificate. It will depend on what is required in your state. </p> <p>In addition to passing these tests, you may also need to submit to a background check before landing your first job. </p> <p>Upon completing all local training and licensing requirements, you'll be ready to begin working as a personal care assistant. </p> <h2 id="section---EarnYourPersonalCareAssistantCPALicenseToday">Earn Your Personal Care Assistant (CPA) License Today</h2> <p>Working as a personal care assistant will allow you to break into the vast healthcare field with minimal training and licensing requirements. You can then go on to other healthcare careers or choose to spend many years in the rewarding field of personal care assistance.</p>