Caregiver Training Requirements in Georgia

PCA initial training. Under Rule 111-8-65-.09, personal care assistants must qualify via a recognized credential (e.g., nurse aide training/competency evaluation per 42 CFR 483) or complete a 40-hour training program specified in the rule and directed by an RN (or health care professional with commensurate education) — 20 hours completed before serving clients and the remaining 20 hours within six months of the date training began. Source ↗

Task-specific competency. No PCA may be assigned a task, or a client with special conditions, until the aide has completed training and demonstrated competency for that specific task or condition — competency documentation is checked at licensure surveys. Source ↗

Annual in-service. Direct care staff, including companions and sitters, must receive at least 8 clock hours of training or instruction annually, focused on their assigned duties. Source ↗

HHA standard (certified agencies). Georgia imposes no separate state HHA hour requirement; Medicare-certified home health agencies follow the federal 42 CFR 484.80 standard of 75 training hours (16 supervised practical) plus 12 hours annual in-service. There is no state PCA registry. Source ↗

75-hour HHA training standard. Under 42 CFR 484.80(b), home health aides at Medicare-certified home health agencies must complete a training program of at least 75 hours, including at least 16 hours of classroom training completed before beginning at least 16 hours of supervised practical (hands-on) training. Source ↗

Competency evaluation / CNA pathway. 42 CFR 484.80(a) allows aides to qualify by completing the 75-hour training and competency evaluation program, by passing a competency evaluation alone, or by completing a state nurse aide training and competency evaluation program (CNA) and being in good standing on the state nurse aide registry. Source ↗

12-hour annual in-service. 42 CFR 484.80(d) requires home health aides to receive at least 12 hours of in-service training during each 12-month period, which may occur while the aide is furnishing care and must be supervised by a registered nurse. Source ↗

RN trainer requirements. Under 42 CFR 484.80(b)(3) and (c)(2), classroom and supervised practical training must be performed by or under the general supervision of a registered nurse with at least 2 years of nursing experience, at least 1 year of which must be in home health care; competency evaluations must likewise be performed by an RN in consultation with other professionals. Source ↗