Caregiver Training: It’s Time to Talk Training Deadlines
- Katarina Mirkovic Arsic
- Oct 16, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 4, 2025
Getting certified as a Home Care Aide (HCA) can feel complicated, especially with rules changing in recent years. To support workers and employers, the Washington State Legislature passed Senate Bill 5672 in May 2025. The Department of Health (DOH) has now adopted emergency rules that extend the HCA certification deadline to 365 days from the date of hire.
This new timeline applies to all workers hired through December 31, 2027 and replaces the previous 200-day rule. Training requirements remain the same—75 hours within 120 days of hire—but workers now have more time to complete their certification.
In this article, we’ll explain what these new rules mean, how to avoid delays, and what steps caregivers and employers should take to stay compliant.
What Does This Mean for Employers?
As an employer, you now need to plan around two separate requirements:
Training deadlines: Caregivers must still complete 75 hours of Basic Training within 120 days of hire. This rule has not changed.
Certification deadlines: Thanks to Senate Bill 5672, caregivers now have 365 days from their hire date to complete certification. This is an extension from the previous 200-day limit and is in effect for all hires made through December 31, 2027.
This change gives employers and caregivers more flexibility, but it also means you should start training and application steps as early as possible to avoid bottlenecks with DOH processing and exam scheduling.
Examples of How the New Rule Works
The rules are now simple and consistent:
If a caregiver was hired and already has a pending application, DOH will automatically reset their deadline to 365 days from their hire date.
If a caregiver’s 200 days have already passed, but they were rehired, they get a new 365 days from their rehire date (no new application needed, just a new Employment Verification Form).
If a caregiver applied for certification before December 31, 2027, they qualify for the 365-day timeline.
If a caregiver applies after December 31, 2027, they will only have 200 days from hire to get certified.
Important: Finishing the 75 hours of training is just the first step. Caregivers must also apply to DOH and pass the state exam within the certification timeline to receive their license and credential number.
Are These Deadlines for Everybody? Are There Exceptions?
The new certification deadline of 365 days from hire applies to most long-term care workers hired through December 31, 2027. However, there are two important exceptions:
Limited English proficiency (LEP) caregivers
LEP caregivers may request a provisional certification from DOH.
This adds 60 extra days to the 365-day deadline, giving a total of 425 days from hire to complete certification.
This extension applies only to certification (exam + license), not to training. Training must still be finished within 120 days.
Workers exempt from training/certification requirements
Long-term care workers employed before January 6, 2012 who already met training requirements in effect at that time
Previously employed workers who met past training requirements between Jan 1, 2011 and Jan 6, 2012
Registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs) licensed under chapter 18.79 RCW;
Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and those in approved CNA training programs (must complete training within 120 days and be credentialed within 200 days of hire)
Home health aides employed by a Medicare-certified home health agency within the past year who meet federal requirements
Individuals with special education training endorsed by the Washington state superintendent of public instruction (RCW 28A.300.010)
Already-certified Home Care Aides (HCAs) under chapter 18.88B RCW
What About Continuing Education Deadlines?
The COVID-era CE waivers have ended. Caregivers are now back to the standard requirement of 12 hours of continuing education every year, due on their birthday.
CE hours must be completed annually to keep an active HCA credential.
Topics can vary, but they must be approved to count toward the requirement.
Caregivers should plan ahead to avoid missing their birthday deadline.
Cornerstone makes it easier to stay compliant
We offer CE bundles on a variety of topics, each designed to provide a full year’s worth of credits. That means caregivers can choose the subjects most relevant to their work while earning all 12 required hours in one package.
This way, both caregivers and employers can feel confident that CE requirements are covered on time, without scrambling to find courses at the last minute.
How to Train Your Caregivers and Meet the Deadlines?
The new rules give caregivers more time for certification, but the training deadline has not changed:
75 hours of Basic Training must be completed within 120 days of hire.
Certification (application + exam) must be completed within 365 days of hire for workers hired through December 31, 2027.
To meet these requirements, the fastest and most flexible option is a 100% online HCA training solution. Caregivers can complete the 75-hour training through self-paced courses at their own pace and on their own schedule.
At Cornerstone Healthcare Training, caregivers can:
Finish the online coursework anywhere, anytime
Complete Skills Labs online, or for new enrollments, choose an in-person Skills Lab in different locations.
Access different learning plans tailored to their needs and experience
💡 Tip for employers: Even with 365 days to complete certification, it’s important to start training and apply for certification early. DOH processing can take months, and exam slots may be limited. Beginning right away ensures caregivers avoid delays and stay compliant.
If you’re not sure which training path is right for your team, please contact us and we’ll guide you step by step.
