Individual Provider Training Requirements

Exempt by Employment History

Those who worked in a long-term care setting at any point between 1/1/2011 and 1/6/2012, and completed the Basic Training required at the time of hire.

• 12 hours of continuing education is required on or before birthdate for each year worked in long-term care, if required by training category.

Exempt by Credential

You are exempt if you have an active:

• Nursing Assistant Certified credential or a special education endorsement from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. 
  • Your credential must stay active to keep this exemption.
  • If your category requires it, 12 hours of continuing education is due each year by your birthdate.
     
• RN, LPN, or ARNP credential with the Department of Health.
  • You must keep your credential active to continue this exemption.
  • No continuing education is required for long‑term care work.

Standard Provider (HCA Credential Required) 

You are a Standard Provider if you were hired after Jan. 6, 2012, and do not qualify for an exemption.

Training requirements:

• 5 hours of Orientation and Safety training prior to performing paid care.
• 70 hours of basic training within 120 days of hire. 
• Test and become certified as a Home Care Aide Required, per DOH WAC 246-980-030 (2)(b)
• Complete 12 hours of continuing education annually due on or before the second birthday from initial certification to keep the credential active.

Family Provider

Care for their child, parent (of a NON-DDA client), sibling, aunt, uncle, cousin, niece, nephew, grandparent, or grandchild, including when related by marriage or domestic partnership. 

Basic Training requirements:

• 5 hours of Orientation and Safety training prior to providing paid care. 
• 30 hours of basic training within 120 days of hire.
   

Continuing Education:

• No CE required through 12/31/2026.
• Beginning 1/1/2027, 12 hours of CE is due by birthdate each year worked in long-term care.
• Parent providers remain exempt from CE after 2026.

DDA Parent Provider

Cares for their child receiving services through the Developmental Disabilities Administration, including when related by marriage or domestic partnership. 

Training Requirement:

• 5 hours of Orientation and Safety training prior to providing paid care. 
• 7 hours of basic training within 120 days of hire. 
• No continuing education required.

Spouse or Domestic Partner

Cares only for a spouse or registered domestic partner.

Basic Training Requirement (Effective July 1, 2026):

• 5 hours of Orientation and Safety training prior to providing paid care.
• 16 hours of basic training within 120 days of hire.
   

Continuing Education:

• No Continuing Education until 1/1/2027.
• Beginning 1/1/2027, 12 hours of CE are due each year by your birthdate.
• Parent providers continue to be exempted from CE after 12/31/2026.

Limited Services Provider

May work no more than 20 hours per month for one client that isn’t related as a:

1. Child, parent, sibling, aunt, uncle, cousin, niece, nephew, grandparent, or grandchild, including when related by marriage or domestic partnership.
2. Spouse or registered domestic partner.

If authorized work exceeds 20 hours in a month or a second (non-respite) client is authorized, training category is set to “Standard Provider” with new training and certification requirements. 
Individual Provider may NOT return to Limited Services Provider, even if the hours are reduced to less than 20 per month.

Training requirements:

• 5 hours of Orientation and Safety training prior to providing paid care. 
• 30 hours of basic training within 120 days of hire.
• No Continuing Education required .

Respite Provider

May work up to 300 respite hours or less per calendar year. If you work more than 300 hours in any calendar year, your category changes and new training and certification requirements apply. Even if hours are reduced in another year.

Training Requirement:

• 5 hours of Orientation and Safety training prior to providing paid care. 
• 9 hours of online Basic Training within 120 days of hire.
• No continuing education required.
   

If a respite care provider exceeds the 300-hour calendar year limit, the provider will have 30 days to renew an expired HCA credential or expired RN, LPN, NAC credential to remain exempt from the requirements of a new training category.