The short answer Rhode Island licenses home nursing care providers (skilled) and home care providers (personal care) under 216-RICR-40-10-17, and equates 'nursing assistant,' 'CNA,' and 'home health aide' — so hands-on aides must hold a RIDOH nursing assistant license, which requires a 120-hour training program.
What Rhode Island requires
Rhode Island
Licensure rule. 216-RICR-40-10-17 governs licensing of home nursing care providers and home care providers; its definitions provide that 'nursing assistant,' 'Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA),' and 'home health aide' have the same meaning — an individual registered and licensed by RIDOH.
Source ↗
120-hour CNA training. Rhode Island nursing assistant training programs must total at least 120 clock hours (80 classroom, 40 supervised practical) under 216-RICR-40-05-22, followed by the state competency exam and RIDOH licensure.
Source ↗
Aide licensure. RIDOH licenses nursing assistants individually; home care and home nursing care providers must staff hands-on personal care with these licensed CNAs (homemaker-only services are exempt).
Source ↗
In-service. Licensed providers must maintain orientation and in-service education programs for personnel under the licensing regulations; Medicare-certified home health agencies must also meet the federal 12-hour annual in-service requirement.
Source ↗
☆ Rules change. We watch them for you.
Get one short email when Rhode Island's home care requirements change. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Reviewed quarterly by Vitable Health.
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.
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 ↗
Primary sources for this page
More Rhode Island guides