The short answer Kansas home health agency licensure (K.A.R. Article 28-51) requires HHAs to be Kansas-certified nurse aides (90-hour course) who then complete a 20-hour state-approved HHA course and state test. Non-medical 'supportive care services' agencies are licensed under the same act but their workers need no certification.
What Kansas requires
Kansas
HHA certification pathway. Under K.A.R. 28-51-113, each home health aide must be a Kansas-certified nurse aide in good standing on the nurse aide registry (90-hour CNA course per K.A.R. 28-39-165) and complete a KDHE-approved 20-hour home health aide course plus a state test, with a one-time 90-day trainee window.
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Licensure covers non-medical care. K.S.A. 65-5101 et seq. requires any agency providing home health, supportive care, or attendant care services for a fee to hold a home health agency license — Kansas licenses non-medical agencies under the 'supportive care services' category rather than a separate private-duty statute.
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Supportive care workers. Workers providing only non-medical supportive care (companionship, chores, ADL assistance such as bathing, dressing, medication reminders) are not required to be certified aides; agencies attest to providing orientation and training under K.A.R. 28-51-117 and KDHE's supportive care licensure track.
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In-service. Kansas relies on the federal 42 CFR 484.80 requirement of 12 hours of in-service per 12-month period for aides at Medicare-certified agencies; KDADS lists approved continuing education courses for certified aides.
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2025 regulation update. KDHE adopted updated home health agency regulations in 2025 (Article 28-51 changes effective 2025-2026), including guidance sessions on the supportive care services category — agencies should check the current text when verifying compliance.
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The federal baseline (applies in every state)
Federal
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Primary sources for this page
- https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/kansas/K-A-R-28-51-113
- https://www.ksrevisor.org/statutes/chapters/ch65/065_051_0001.html
- https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/2172/Non-Medical-Supportive-Care-Services
- https://www.kdads.ks.gov/licensing-policy/health-occupations-credentialing/all-training-courses-continuing-education
- https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/52324/Summary-of-Changes-Guide-HHA-Regulations-PDF