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There is currently a shortage of professional caregivers in Massachusetts. With thousands of positions available at care facilities, job security has never been higher for Massachusetts caregivers. Keep reading to learn how to become a licensed caregiver in Massachusetts.

Updated July 13, 2022

Here's How To Become A Licensed Caregiver In Massachusetts

Do you want to know how to become a licensed caregiver in Massachusetts? Then your first step is understanding your state’s particular rules. Caregiver training and certification can be complex since state regulations and requirements differ. However, these criteria are in place to ensure individual caregivers and home care agencies follow compliance standards and promote elders’ health, safety, and overall quality of life.

Whether you’re exploring the field of caregiving or have several years of experience, caregiver training and certification is essential to your professional development. With that in mind, here are a few things you should know about how to become a licensed caregiver in Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Caregiver Training & Certification Requirements

As you learn how to become a licensed caregiver in Massachusetts, you’ll find that this state, along with Texas and Florida, has minimal initial training requirements (if any) if you work for a private-pay agency. However, if an agency covered by Medicaid employs you, you must meet additional standards. This extra training and certification ensure you provide the best care possible.

How To Become A PCA In Massachusetts

MassHealth’s Personal Care Attendant (PCA) program provides financial assistance to people with disabilities so they can hire a PCA and receive support with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as:

  • Bathing and dressing
  • Denture care
  • Toileting
  • Meal preparation and feeding
  • Light housework and shopping
  • Ambulation and transfers

There are many similarities in how to become a PCA and licensed caregiver in Massachusetts. For example, to become a PCA in Massachusetts, you must:

  • Be at least 14.5 years old and have work authorization.
  • Understand and follow the care recipient’s instructions.
  • Be legally allowed to work in the US.
massachusetts caregiver talking to elderly patient in her room
PCAs provide companionship while helping meet their clients' needs.
  • Complete the mandatory 3-hour PCA New Hire Orientation within six months of getting a job.

Understanding employment rules is just as important as knowing how to become a licensed caregiver in Massachusetts. The care recipient (or the PCA Consumer-employer) would hire and employ you directly. Because each PCA Consumer-employer is different, certification, licensing, and educational requirements may vary. They can also request a drug test, CORI, or SORI, at their discretion. In addition, you must complete 12 hours of continuing education (CE) training each year through a certified agency.

Benefits

As a state program, PCAs are eligible for government benefits such as:

Additionally, you can qualify for college tuition vouchers after one year of employment, even if you work part-time. You can also be eligible for an opportunity to enroll in the CNA program after the same amount of time.

How To Become An HHA In Massachusetts

massachusetts caregiver talking to elderly woman in her home
Home Health Aides help seniors manage everyday activities.

To work in Massachusetts, Home Health Aides (HHAs) must complete 75 hours of initial training (including 16 hours of practicum experience). In addition, HHAs must undergo supervised training and complete several assessments. Before securing a job as an HHA, you must pass a background check and drug test.

As with most caregiver positions, you must have at least a high school diploma or GED and meet other criteria before beginning clinical internships. You can find HHA certification at various community colleges around the state. Below are a few places to learn how to become a licensed caregiver in Massachusetts. 

Bristol Community College

  • 121 hours, including 18 hours of HHA training and other types of specialized training
  • State-approved
  • For those who want to work in nursing homes and hospitals

Cape Cod Community College

  • 140-hour course, including 75 hours of classroom time and 65 hours of clinical experience
  • For those who want to go to nursing school

Greenfield Community College

  • For those who want to work in hospice, home care, private homes, and assisting living facilities
  • 80 hours of classroom and clinical training

Massasoit Community College

  • For those who are new to the home health field
  • 100 hours of classroom and clinical training
  • For those who want to become a homemaker, personal care homemaker, or HHA

Northshore Community College

  • 100 hours of classroom and clinical training

How To Find Massachusetts Caregiver Training Programs

You can find many options on how to become a licensed caregiver in Massachusetts. The programs below all require the following:

  • 18 years or older (unless noted otherwise)
  • A high school diploma or GED
  • Tuberculosis skin test
  • Criminal background check
  • Drug test

Horizon Learning Connection

  • $700
  • 10-week program

Roxbury Community College

  • $700
  • 24-week program
  • Physical assessment required
two-women-discussing-how-to-become-a-liscensed-caregiver-in-massachusetts
Caregiver training courses range from general knowledge to specialized care.

Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School Nurse Assistant Training

  • $800
  • 14-week program
  • English and math competency assessments required

Boston Allied Health Training Center

  • $800
  • 4-week program
  • English, reading, and math competency assessments required

Home Care Plus School Division

  • $800
  • 3-week program

Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School

  • $995
  • 6-week program

Health Care Training Services

  • $1,380
  • 5-week program
  • Pre-entrance assessment required

International Healthcare Training And Services

  • $1,060
  • 3-week program
  • Must be at least 16 years old
  • English competency assessment required

Holyoke Community College

  • $2,800.00
  • 7-week program
  • Fingerprint record required
  • Physical assessment required
  • English, reading, and math competency tests required

Commonwealth Nursing Service

  • $700
  • 3-week program
  • Physical exam required
  • Fingerprint record required
  • English, reading, and math assessments required

Springfield Technical Community College

  • $200
  • 10-week program
  • Physical exam required
  • Must submit fingerprints
  • English, reading, and math comprehension assessments required

Health And Home Care Training Center

  • $895
  • 4-week program
  • Physical exam required
  • Must submit fingerprints
  • English, reading, and math comprehension assessments required

MeetCaregivers Is Hiring

Healthcare workers have faced low wages, long hours, insufficient benefits, and inadequate support for too long. MeetCaregivers aims to change that by creating a workplace with the resources, training, and respect you deserve.

Are you interested in offering companionship and personal care to individual clients at home? Or do you want to provide skilled nursing care in various senior care facilities? Whatever your preference, we have plenty of opportunities for you.

We’re hiring caregivers (CNA/HHA) and nurses (LPN, RN) looking to gain experience in a rapidly-growing industry. Click here to complete the employment application form.

You can also call 1 (888) 541-1136 to talk with us one-on-one about how to become a licensed caregiver in Massachusetts.

  • “Become a PCA Today.” Mass.gov, www.mass.gov/service-details/become-a-pca-today.
  • CareAcademy. Do You Know the Caregiver Training Requirements in Your State?, 3 Feb. 2018, blog.careacademy.com/do-you-know-the-caregiver-training-requirements-in-your-state.
  • “How Do I Become a Paid Caregiver for a Family Member in Massachusetts?” Mass Care Link, 18 June 2020, masscarelink.org/faqs/how-do-i-become-a-paid-caregiver-for-a-family-member-in-massachusetts/.
  • “Massachusetts Caregiver Training.” MyCNAjobs.com, www.mycnajobs.com/caregiver-training/massachusetts/.
  • “Massachusetts Caregiver Training and Certified Nursing Aide School Directory.” Massachusetts Caregiver Training and Certified Nursing Aide School Directory – CaregiverList.com, www.caregiverlist.com/Massachusetts/caregivertraining.aspx.
  • Study.com, study.com/massachusetts_home_health_aide_certificate.html.
  • “Training Requirements of Assisted Living Residence Staff.” Mass.gov, www.mass.gov/info-details/training-requirements-of-assisted-living-residence-staff.

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