Caregiver Training Requirements in Maine

HHA = CNA required. Home health agencies are licensed under 10-144 CMR Ch. 119, which defines aide-level staff as Certified Nursing Assistants who completed a Maine State Board of Nursing-approved course and are listed on the Maine CNA Registry — exceeding the federal 75-hour baseline. Source ↗

PCA licensure (new). Under PL 2023 Ch. 309, DHHS repealed and replaced 10-144 CMR Ch. 129 to license personal care agencies (effective 2024), moving non-medical agencies from registration to full licensure with enforcement authority. Source ↗

PSS 50-hour training. Personal Support Specialists must complete a state-approved training course of at least 50 hours — roughly 40 hours of classroom instruction plus 10 hours of demonstration/clinical practice with examination. Source ↗

CNA & Direct Care Worker Registry. Maine operates a combined CNA and Direct Care Worker Registry (10-144 CMR Ch. 128); CNA listing requires a Board of Nursing-approved course of at least 130 hours (reduced from the former 180-hour minimum), and direct care workers such as PSSs are also listed. Source ↗

In-service. Medicare-certified home health agencies must provide aides 12 hours of in-service training per 12-month period under the federal Conditions of Participation. 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 ↗