Training Requirements and Classes

Mental Health, Level 1, Capable Caregiving for Mental Wellness

DSHS has replaced the current Mental Health Specialty curriculum with the new Mental Health, Level 1 - Capable Caregiving for Mental Wellness. This new curriculum replaces both the Manager Mental Health Specialty and Long Term Worker Mental Health Specialty Training.

Can I use the current Mental Health Specialty curriculum?

• Facility Instructors. If you are currently approved to teach your own staff at an Assisted Living Facility or Adult Family Home, you must complete the new Mental Health, Level 1 training by February 28, 2019
• Community Instructors. All currently approved community instructors must complete the Mental Health, Level 1 training by August 31, 2018

Where can I find a class for the new Mental Health Specialty curriculum?

For a schedule of upcoming Mental Health, Level 1, Capable Caregiving for Mental Wellness classes click here

Summary of Training Requirements for:

• Adult Family Homes
• Assisted Living Facilities
• DDA Community Residential Service Business Training Requirements
• Home Care Agencies
• Individual Providers (IPs)

Home Care Aide Training, Certification & Testing

• Get an overview of the 75 hour home care aide training and certifications requirements
• See which workers are exempt from home care aide training
• Understand the steps to complete training and certification (HCA Certification Checklist).
• Get forms to apply for certification and testing

Fingerprint Background Checks

• Fingerprint-based Background Checks

Teach Classes, Get Curricula Approved, Update Training

Forms to apply to teach for the first time, get curriculum approved, and/or update an existing training program for home care aide training, Continuing Education (CE), Nurse Delegation and Specialty classes.

• Continuing Education Providers: Information for any long-term care worker training program interested in offering continuing education (CE) training.
• Curriculum Developers-Information for businesses to have their Continuing Education curriculum approved
• Conference/Seminar/Webinars-Application to have their events approved for LTC Worker Continuing Education
• Online Training Standards: Information about the required standards for online courses.
• Adult Family Homes or Assisted Living Facilities: Apply to train your staff only. 
• Community Instructor (including home care agencies): Apply to train as a contracted instructor.

Take Classes

• Find a class for home care aide training, continuing education, nurse delegation, specialty, or AFH Administrator training.
• Find other Continuing Education (CE) options.
  • Conferences or seminars approved for CE
  • DSHS developed curriculum approved for CE
  • Businesses offering DSHS approved CE Curriculum
  • Apply CPR/First Aide training hours as CE
  • Food Safety and Food Worker Care Renewal
  • Who is required to take CE and when.
• ALF Administrator  Online Training
• New Nursing Home Administrator Training
• Nursing Home Administrators Opportunity for Continuing Education
• NEW: Community Integration Training

DSHS Training Materials

• DSHS Training Materials available for download
• Ordering printed copies of DSHS training materials

Training Rules – WACs

• Read the Rules (WAC) for:
  • In-home (388-71)
  • Residential Long-Term Care Services Training (388-112A)
    • ​Summary of chapter 388-112A WAC changes (PDF)