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Updated: 11/11/2011 On November 8, 2011, the public voted Initiative 1163 (I-1163) into law. The new law relates to requirements for long-term care worker training, background checks, and certification as a home care aide. The new requirements take effect January 7, 2012. The initiative requires the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to develop the curriculum for training and provide fingerprint-based background checks for each applicant. It requires the Department of Health to certify long-term care workers as home care aides and regulate the profession. Beginning January 7, 2012, most new direct care workers, now called long-term care workers, must take 75 hours of training within 120 days of hire. Most long-term care workers must also become certified home care aides within 150 days of hire. Exemptions Workers holding a current Department of Health (DOH) credential such as registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants, occupational therapists, physical therapists, or fully trained long-term care workers employed in 2011 are exempt from the 75 hour training and certification. Training
The DSHS Home and Community Services Division (HCS) must approve both the curriculum and the instructors. Instructor qualifications vary depending on which type of training they teach. Please keep checking checking the DSHS page for updates. If not exempt, every long-term care worker hired after January 7, 2012, must complete 75 hours of training within 120 days of hire. This training will cover:
Certification
Within 150 days of hire, long-term care workers hired after January 7, 2012, must be certified as home care aides. They must complete the training, apply to the Department of Health, and complete the home care aide certification examination. Prometric, an independent testing company, will administer the exam. Applicants must apply directly to Prometric to schedule the exam location and time. Testing sites are available throughout the state.
Background Checks
All long-term care workers hired after January 7, 2011 must submit to a DSHS fingerprint-based background check. Background checks will be provided to DOH to review as part of the certification process. More Information For more information on initiative 1163, please visit DOH’s Home Care Aide Web site, the DSHS Web site, or contact DOH at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . You may sign up on the interested parties list from DOH to receive email notifications about home care aides. United we stand WAPDA is committed to helping you understand and cope successfully with the current challenging environment. We are stronger if we work together. In the next several months we intend to have information on specific training programs and resources you can access. If you have tips, examples, recommended training materials or other resources for your fellow agencies, please email David Lawrence, WAPDA President, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it |
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