WHAT'S NEW
Extension of 200-day Deadline to 365 DaysPer Senate Bill 5672 (PDF), the home care aide program has adopted emergency rules under WSR 25-18-034 (PDF) to allow home care aides to work for up to 365 days from their date of hire. This timeline change is retroactive. Any home care aide applicant who is working while completing their training, testing, and credentialing process can now work for up to 365 days from their date of hire, regardless of whether they previously passed their 200-day timeline. If a home care aide has already passed 365 days and is still waiting to be credentialed, their employer may provide the Department of Health with an updated date of hire to start the timeline over with an additional 365 days. The requirement to complete training within 120 days of the date of hire has not changed.
The 365-day extension timeline expires on December 31, 2027. Anyone who provides the Department of Health with an application after December 31, 2027, will then be allowed only 200 days to work while they complete the credentialing process.
Extension of 200-day Deadline to 365 DaysPer Senate Bill 5672 (PDF), the home care aide program has adopted emergency rules under WSR 25-18-034 (PDF) to allow home care aides to work for up to 365 days from their date of hire. This timeline change is retroactive. Any home care aide applicant who is working while completing their training, testing, and credentialing process can now work for up to 365 days from their date of hire, regardless of whether they previously passed their 200-day timeline. If a home care aide has already passed 365 days and is still waiting to be credentialed, their employer may provide the Department of Health with an updated date of hire to start the timeline over with an additional 365 days. The requirement to complete training within 120 days of the date of hire has not changed.
The 365-day extension timeline expires on December 31, 2027. Anyone who provides the Department of Health with an application after December 31, 2027, will then be allowed only 200 days to work while they complete the credentialing process.
- Headway Nursing Services is now authorized to offer home care aide test for knowledge and skills. Students who completed the 75 hours course must first create an account with Secure Access WA and add HELMS for the service. We assist our students to create their account to apply for the HCA knowledge and test through Department of Health.
Use the following RECOMMENDED timelines and checklist to meet deadlines.
DSHS guideline on applying for hca examThe Washington State Department of Health (DOH) provides a comprehensive guide for applying for the Home Care Aide (HCA) exam. Here are the key steps and requirements:
DOH HCA Credentialing Coordinator
(360) 236-2700
DOH Customer Service
(360) 236-4700
Mail application to: (Do Not include Fee)
DOH - Home Care Aide Credentialing
P.O. Box 1099
Olympia, WA 98507-1099
Mail other documents NOT sent with initial
application to:
DOH - Home Care Aide Credentialing
P.O. Box 47877
Olympia, WA 98504-7877
DOH Website:
Home Care Aide
Prometric Telephone
1-800-324-4689
DSHS guideline on applying for hca examThe Washington State Department of Health (DOH) provides a comprehensive guide for applying for the Home Care Aide (HCA) exam. Here are the key steps and requirements:
- Application Submission: File your application using the DOH's online portal to ensure timely processing.
- Exam Preparation: Review the most up-to-date HCA information on the DOH website and utilize available resources for exam preparation.
- Exam Schedule: Candidates can self-schedule and self-pay for the HCA examinations through the Prometric portal.
- Exam Details: The knowledge exam consists of 60 questions, and the clinical exam covers various skills, both timed.
- Remote Testing: The English written/oral HCA exam can be taken remotely proctored by ProProctor™.
- Support: DOH Navigators are available to assist caregivers with the HCA certification process.
For more detailed information, including FAQs and system availability in multiple languages, refer to the official DOH website and Prometric's resources.
DOH HCA Credentialing Coordinator
(360) 236-2700
DOH Customer Service
(360) 236-4700
Mail application to: (Do Not include Fee)
DOH - Home Care Aide Credentialing
P.O. Box 1099
Olympia, WA 98507-1099
Mail other documents NOT sent with initial
application to:
DOH - Home Care Aide Credentialing
P.O. Box 47877
Olympia, WA 98504-7877
DOH Website:
Home Care Aide
Prometric Telephone
1-800-324-4689
To learn more, please visit: www.adsa.dshs.wa.gov
