50-State Reference

HHA certification cost by state in 2026: all 50 states

The 2026 HHA certification cost by state reference. Federal minimum is 75 hours; many states require more. Tuition ranges $200-$1,500; free HHA training is widely available.

By Calvin Nesvig, Founding Partner·Updated May 3, 2026·6 min read
Quick answer
  • Federal minimum: 75 hours of HHA training under 42 CFR 484.80.
  • States with higher requirements: CA, ME, ID, IL, WI, CT, HI, MD, NH, RI (90-180 hours).
  • Tuition range: $200-$1,500 per program.
  • Free training is widely available from hiring agencies, WIA programs, community colleges, and unions.
  • After training: state competency exam + background check + TB test + CPR.

50-state HHA certification cost grid

StateRequired hoursTuition cost
Maine (ME)180 hours$500-$1,500
Alaska (AK)140 hours$500-$1,200
California (CA)120 hours$500-$1,500
Idaho (ID)120 hours$400-$1,000
Illinois (IL)120 hours$400-$1,200
Wisconsin (WI)120 hours$400-$1,200
Connecticut (CT)100 hours$500-$1,200
Hawaii (HI)100 hours$500-$1,200
Maryland (MD)100 hours$400-$1,200
New Hampshire (NH)100 hours$500-$1,200
Rhode Island (RI)100 hours$400-$1,000
Kansas (KS)90 hours$300-$1,000
Nebraska (NE)76 hours$300-$900
New Jersey (NJ)76 hours$500-$1,200
Alabama (AL)75 hours$300-$800
Arizona (AZ)75 hours$300-$1,000
Arkansas (AR)75 hours$200-$700
Colorado (CO)75 hours$400-$1,000
Delaware (DE)75 hours$400-$1,000
Florida (FL)75 hours$300-$1,000
Georgia (GA)75 hours$300-$800
Indiana (IN)75 hours$300-$1,000
Iowa (IA)75 hours$300-$900
Kentucky (KY)75 hours$200-$700
Louisiana (LA)75 hours$200-$700
Massachusetts (MA)75 hours$500-$1,200
Michigan (MI)75 hours$300-$1,000
Minnesota (MN)75 hours$400-$1,000
Mississippi (MS)75 hours$200-$700
Missouri (MO)75 hours$300-$800
Montana (MT)75 hours$300-$900
Nevada (NV)75 hours$400-$1,200
New Mexico (NM)75 hours$300-$900
New York (NY)75 hours$500-$1,500
North Carolina (NC)75 hours$300-$1,000
North Dakota (ND)75 hours$400-$1,000
Ohio (OH)75 hours$300-$1,000
Oklahoma (OK)75 hours$200-$700
Oregon (OR)75 hours$400-$1,000
Pennsylvania (PA)75 hours$300-$1,000
South Carolina (SC)75 hours$300-$900
South Dakota (SD)75 hours$400-$1,000
Tennessee (TN)75 hours$300-$1,000
Texas (TX)75 hours$300-$1,000
Utah (UT)75 hours$400-$1,000
Vermont (VT)75 hours$400-$1,000
Virginia (VA)75 hours$300-$1,000
Washington (WA)75 hours$400-$1,200
West Virginia (WV)75 hours$300-$900
Wyoming (WY)75 hours$400-$1,000
Sorted by required hours (highest first). Federal minimum is 75 hours; many states require more. Free agency-sponsored training is widely available.

AveeCare's role

AveeCare tracks HHA certification dates and renewal cycles for caregivers at home care agencies. We do not provide HHA training. Agencies use AveeCare credential management to prevent scheduling caregivers with expired credentials.

See pricing

Frequently asked questions

HHA certification cost in 2026 typically runs $200-$1,500 depending on the program: free agency-sponsored training (most common at hiring agencies), $200-$500 community college programs, $500-$1,500 private trade school programs. The federal minimum HHA training requirement is 75 hours of classroom + clinical instruction, but most states require additional hours.
Most non-medical home care agencies and Medicare-certified HH agencies offer free HHA training for caregivers they hire. Other free options: state Workforce Investment Act programs, community college free-tuition tracks (in CA, NY, TN, OR, others), and union-sponsored training programs (1199 SEIU Training Fund in NY, others). Always confirm the program is state-approved before enrolling.
Federal minimum: 75 hours of classroom + clinical instruction (16 hours supervised practical training) under 42 CFR 484.80. Many states require more (CA: 120 hours; NY: 75 hours + competency exam; PA: 75 hours; FL: 75 hours). After training, a state-administered competency exam is required, plus background check, TB test, and CPR certification.
AveeCare tracks HHA certification dates, expiration dates, and required in-service hours for caregivers at home care agencies that use the platform. Agencies use AveeCare credential management to ensure caregivers are not scheduled for visits when their HHA certification is expired. AveeCare does not provide HHA training itself.
CN
Calvin Nesvig
Founding Partner, AveeCare

Builds home care software full-time and works with home care agencies on workflow and software fit every week.

Run an agency that hires HHAs?

See AveeCare credential management. $6 / active client / month.