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California Home Care
Aide Training
CDSS-Aligned Initial & Annual Training Packages
California Home Care Aides must complete training requirements as specified by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and California Health and Safety Code (HSC). CareerSmart® makes compliance simple with convenient, online training packages designed to meet these requirements.
Our courses are developed by experts in older adult care and are delivered through an easy-to-use online learning platform, allowing home care aides to complete training anytime, anywhere.
From initial home care aide onboarding to ongoing annual training, CareerSmart® provides flexible, high-quality training that supports home care aide success, agency compliance, and client safety.
Available 24/7 from any location with Internet access
Content meets requirements for California Home Care Aide Training
Approved Provider Vendor #2000386-740-2
Comprehensive - everything you need!
Initial Home Care Aide Training Package
Safety Training for New Home Care Aides
Price: $80
California regulations require newly hired Home Care Aides to complete entry level safety training that includes basic safety precautions, emergency procedures, and infection control.
The CareerSmart® Initial Home Care Aide Training Package is designed to support these safety training requirements.
Note: Home Care Agencies must also provide two hours of orientation training covering home care aide roles and employment policies. This two-hour orientation is to be directly provided and documented by the licensed Home Care Services Agency.
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Safety Training Topics Covered
- Basic safety precautions
- Emergency preparedness and response
- Infection control and prevention
Courses Included
Safety Preparedness and Emergency Response When Caring for Older Adults (1.5 Hours)
Home care aides learn how to respond to emergencies, recognize potential safety risks, and prepare for unexpected situations in the home.
Infection Control: Drug Resistant Superbugs in Long Term Care (2.0 Hours)
Provides essential knowledge on infection prevention, proper hygiene practices, and protecting vulnerable clients from communicable diseases.
Benefits
- Convenient online training for new home care aides
- Meets required safety training topics
- Self-paced and accessible anywhere
- Certificates available immediately upon completion to demonstrate compliance
Annual Home Care Aide Training Package
Meets California’s 5-Hour Annual Training Requirement
Price: $150
California regulations require Home Care Aides to complete a minimum of 5 hours of annual training covering specific topics related to client safety, daily care needs, and abuse prevention.
The CareerSmart® Annual Home Care Aide Training Package includes courses designed to meet these required subject areas.
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Required Annual Training Topics Covered
This package includes training aligned with CDSS and HSC requirements, including:
- Clients’ rights and safety
- Providing for and responding to a client’s daily living needs
- Detecting, preventing, and reporting abuse and neglect
- Assisting with personal hygiene and home care services
- Transportation safety when transporting clients
Courses Included
Resident Rights for Assisted Living (1.0 Hour)
This course prepares home care aides to understand, apply, and communicate resident rights, supporting quality care, compliance, and effective reporting of concerns.
Person-Centered Care: An Overview (1.0 Hour)
Learn how to deliver compassionate, respectful care that protects client dignity and promotes independence.
Activities of Daily Living (ADL) & Assisting Persons with Dementia (1.5 Hours)
Gain practical strategies for supporting clients with daily living activities while understanding the unique needs of individuals living with dementia.
Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse & Neglect: Recognizing and Reporting (1.0 Hour)
Understand how to identify, prevent, and properly report suspected abuse or neglect in accordance with California requirements.
Transportation Safety When Caring for Aging Adults (2.0 Hours)
Learn best practices for safely transporting clients, reducing risk, and maintaining safety during community outings and appointments.
Benefits
- 100% online and self-paced
- Accessible anytime on computer, tablet, or phone
- Immediate certificates of completion to demonstrate compliance
- Developed by education experts in older adult care
- Supports compliance with CDSS and HSC training requirements
Built for Home Care Agencies and Home Care Aides
CareerSmart® training solutions are ideal for:
- Licensed California Home Care Services Agencies
- Individual Home Care Aides
- Home care aide staffing organizations
- Organizations onboarding new home care aides
Our courses help home care aides deliver safer, higher-quality care while making regulatory compliance easier for agencies.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
California Home Care Aide Training
What are the training requirements for Home Care Aides in California?
California Home Care Aides must complete training requirements set by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and the California Health and Safety Code (HSC). This includes a minimum of five (5) hours of initial safety training upon hire and five (5) hours of annual training to maintain compliance.
What is included in initial Home Care Aide training in California?
New aides must complete a minimum of five (5) hours of initial training within 30 days of employment. Two (2) hours of orientation training is provided by the employer, while three (3) hours of safety training must include:
- Basic safety precautions
- Emergency procedures
- Infection control
How many hours of annual training are required for Home Care Aides in California?
California requires Home Care Aides to complete a minimum of five (5) hours of annual training. Training must support core competencies and be population-specific, including topics such as:
- Client rights and safety
- Activities of daily living
- Abuse prevention and reporting
- Personal hygiene
- Transportation safety
Is CareerSmart® approved for California Home Care Aide training?
Yes. CareerSmart® is an approved CDSS training vendor (Vendor #2000386-740-2), offering courses aligned with California regulatory requirements.
Can Home Care Aide training be completed online in California?
Yes. California allows Home Care Aides to complete required training online when courses meet CDSS standards. CareerSmart® offers fully online, self-paced training available 24/7.
Who should enroll in Home Care Aide training programs?
- Licensed Home Care Services Agencies
- Individual Home Care Aides
- Home care staffing organizations
- Organizations onboarding new aides
What is the difference between initial and annual Home Care Aide training?
- Initial Training: Required upon hire and focused on foundational safety and caregiving practices.
- Annual Training: Ongoing education required each year to maintain compliance and reinforce quality care.
How does Home Care Aide training support compliance for agencies?
- Meets CDSS regulatory requirements
- Reduces compliance risk
- Supports consistent staff education
- Improves client safety and care quality
How much does Home Care Aide training cost in California?
- Initial Training Package: $80
- Annual Training Package: $150
These packages provide a comprehensive and cost-effective solution for individuals and organizations.
Why is ongoing training important for Home Care Aides?
Ongoing training helps aides stay current with safety protocols, caregiving best practices, and regulatory updates. This supports better client outcomes, improved caregiver confidence, and stronger agency performance.
What makes CareerSmart® training different?
- Developed by experts in older adult care
- Designed for real-world application
- Accessible online 24/7
- Supports both individual success and organizational compliance
CareerSmart® delivers convenient, practical, and career-focused continuing education for healthcare professionals.