Frequently Asked Questions
1. If I'm within my 150 days of hire as a long-term care worker, do I need to contact the department to make sure I am extended to 200 days?
As of July 28, 2013, long-term care workers have 200 days (instead of 150 days) from the day they're hired to get their home care aide certification. If you're within 150 days of your date of hire on July 28, 2013, you'll automatically be extended to 200 days. However, if your 150 days expired before July 28, 2013, and you already had to stop working, then you are not extended to 200 days. This means anyone hired between March 1, 2013, and July 27, 2013 will automatically be extended to 200 days.
2. If my ability to read, write or speak English is limited, how can I request more time to get certified?
The new Senate House Bill 1629 allows the department to issue a provisional certification to long-term care workers with limited English proficiency to allow them more time to complete the requirements to become certified as home care aides.
3. How can I request a provisional certification if I have already submitted an application to the department?
Please fill out the home care aide provisional certification supplemental form on the Applications and Forms webpage. Submit it to the department.
4. How can I request a provisional certification if I have not yet submitted an application to the department?
Please complete a current home care aide certification application. A supplemental question on the first page asks if you have limited English proficiency and would like to request a provisional certification. Please check yes to request the provisional certification.
5. How long can I work with the provisional certification?
The provisional license will be issued to you on day 200 from the date you were hired. This date will be based on the information you submit on your application. The provisional certificate will expire 60 days after it is issued.
6. Can I renew the provisional certification?
No, the provisional certification can be issued only once, valid for no more than 60 days. It isn’t renewable.
7. What if my provisional certification expires and I still have not become home care aide certified?
You must stop providing care and will not be paid for services until you complete the requirements and become home care aide certified by the department.
8. Who must be certified as a home care aide?
The law defines the following people as long-term care workers. All long-term care workers hired on or after January 7, 2012, must be certified as home care aides within 200 days of their date of hire:
As of July 28, 2013, long-term care workers have 200 days (instead of 150 days) from the day they're hired to get their home care aide certification. If you're within 150 days of your date of hire on July 28, 2013, you'll automatically be extended to 200 days. However, if your 150 days expired before July 28, 2013, and you already had to stop working, then you are not extended to 200 days. This means anyone hired between March 1, 2013, and July 27, 2013 will automatically be extended to 200 days.
2. If my ability to read, write or speak English is limited, how can I request more time to get certified?
The new Senate House Bill 1629 allows the department to issue a provisional certification to long-term care workers with limited English proficiency to allow them more time to complete the requirements to become certified as home care aides.
3. How can I request a provisional certification if I have already submitted an application to the department?
Please fill out the home care aide provisional certification supplemental form on the Applications and Forms webpage. Submit it to the department.
4. How can I request a provisional certification if I have not yet submitted an application to the department?
Please complete a current home care aide certification application. A supplemental question on the first page asks if you have limited English proficiency and would like to request a provisional certification. Please check yes to request the provisional certification.
5. How long can I work with the provisional certification?
The provisional license will be issued to you on day 200 from the date you were hired. This date will be based on the information you submit on your application. The provisional certificate will expire 60 days after it is issued.
6. Can I renew the provisional certification?
No, the provisional certification can be issued only once, valid for no more than 60 days. It isn’t renewable.
7. What if my provisional certification expires and I still have not become home care aide certified?
You must stop providing care and will not be paid for services until you complete the requirements and become home care aide certified by the department.
8. Who must be certified as a home care aide?
The law defines the following people as long-term care workers. All long-term care workers hired on or after January 7, 2012, must be certified as home care aides within 200 days of their date of hire:
- Individual providers of home care services, a person who contracts with the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to provide personal care or respite services to functionally disabled people.
- Direct care employees of home care agencies.
- Providers of home care services to people with developmental disabilities.
- All direct care workers in state-licensed assisted living facilities (formerly boarding homes).
- All direct care workers in state-licensed adult family homes.
- Respite care providers.
- Community residential service providers who fall under DSHS’s definition of supported living providers are long-term care workers but are not required to get training until January 1, 2016, and are exempt from certification (see next question.) These are providers or entities certified under WAC Chapter 388-101.
- Any other direct care worker providing home or community-based services to the elderly or people with functional or developmental disabilities. These workers must complete two hours of orientation and three hours of safety training before they begin working. It must be Department of Social and Health Services-approved training.