Continuing Education Requirements
Most long-term care workers must complete 12 hours of CE each year.
All CE for long-term care workers:
- Must be approved by DSHS.
- Must use DSHS-approved CE curriculum.
- Must use DSHS-approved instructors.
For detailed information about CE training requirements for each category of LTC worker, go to the Continuing Education Requirements page.
Continuing Education Options
CareLearn
- Professional online training.
- Free for long-term care workers in adult family homes, assisted living facilities, and enhanced services facilities.
Visit CareLearn Washington for more information.
Other Community CE Options
- Find a Training Class
- CE Developers-Businesses Offering DSHS Approved CE Curriculum
- Apply CPR/First Aid Training Hours as CE
- Apply Food Safety and Food Worker Card Renewal activities as CE
DSHS Approved CE in Your Workplace
DSHS Curriculum
- Go to the DSHS Curriculum and Materials webpage.
- Scroll down to the bottom section: DSHS Continuing Education Available.
- Select one of the options.
- The class must be led by someone who is DSHS-approved to lead CE classes.
New Curriculum
- Have a DSHS-approved CE instructor create, get approval for, and lead a relevant conference presentation, seminar, webinar, or class. See below for the approval process.
Continuing Education Curriculum Requirements
CE must use one of these training methods:
- Instructor led, in-person classroom training.
- Online instructor led, such as a live webinar.
- Asynchronous online class. These classes must include:
- Activities that measure the learner’s understanding.
- A final exam.
- Access to an instructor for questions.
For more information about the standards required for online training, go to the Online Training Standards page.
Note: DSHS does not approve CE self-study classes. Self-study classes are materials, workbooks, or programs that an individual or group reads, views, or participates in without an approved instructor leading. CE programs that use self-study are not approved and will be required to refund participants.
To find out if a class is approved, email us at TrainingApprovalTPA@dshs.wa.gov.
Continuing Education Approval Process
Facilities, home care agencies, and businesses may submit their own CE curriculum for DSHS approval with the Curriculum Approval Application (DSHS 15-552).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hours may I submit on each CE approval form?
A maximum of 12 class hours. Forms with more than 12 class hours will be returned.
How many applications may I submit at one time?
One. Additional curriculum approval applications will be returned.
May I use approved CE materials someone else developed?
Yes, but only IF:
- There is proof of permission or purchase from the developer to use the material.
- The material is used to enhance other material developed by you. The entire CE cannot be made up from borrowed material.
- For more information about CE curriculum policy, view the CE Approval Form or contact us at TrainingApprovalTPA@dshs.wa.gov.
How do I submit new CE curriculum for approval?
Click on the relevant link below:
- Adult Family Home or Assisted Living Facility Training Program Applications
- Home Care Agency and Community Instructor Applications
- Conference/Seminar/Webinars-Application to have their events approved for LTC Worker Continuing Education