How Much Does Home Health Aide Training Cost?

America’s Home Health Aides are integral allied health professionals who support the healthcare system by providing hands-on assistance to ailing, disabled, and injured patients needing care in their homes.

These allied health professionals are in high demand as the BLS predicts an almost 22% increase in the number of Home Health Aides within the next few years.

If you’re thinking about becoming a Home Health Aide, understanding the associated educational costs and requirements is crucial.

Get an estimate of how much you can expect to spend on Health Aide training in the informative guide below.

Home Health Aide Training Costs

Today’s Home Health Aides can get training and educational support through various agencies including local community colleges, vocational schools, national certification agencies, and private training agencies.

Employer-sponsored training programs may offer tuition reimbursement options or other financial support options to help offset the costs of HHA training.

Factors that can affect the costs of Home Health Aide training include program type, duration of programs, certification desired, and program location.

Get a breakdown of the estimated costs of becoming a Certified Home Health Aide below.

How Much Does It Cost to Become a Home Health Aide?

If you are thinking about becoming a Home Health Aide, it is important to understand the potential investment and cost you will be making in your new career.

The BLS reports that the average annual salary of American Home Health Aides is around $33,000.00 per year without additional training or specialized certifications.

Aspiring HHAs should consider the following costs when seeking formal education.

Campus-Based Training and Educational Program Costs

The costs of campus-based HHA education typically fall between $400.00 and $2,500.00 depending on your program and method of instruction.

Online and self-paced programs may offer lower fees than traditional campus-based college programs.

Vocational and Workforce Development Training Program Costs

The need for highly skilled Home Health Aides means that many local vocational schools and state-sponsored workforce development agencies offer HHA training programs at a substantially reduced cost.

States like Massachusetts offer free online Home Health Aid training.

Costs of attending other vocational and workforce development training programs typically range between $99.00 – $400.00.

CPR and First Aid Training

Some Home Health Aides may be required by state or local laws to earn a CPR and First Aid Training certification before being allowed to provide in-home care for their clients.

These fees typically range between $40.00 to $100.00 for individual or bundled training.

Background Checks

Home Health Aides working for private employers will likely be subjected to criminal background checks that can include drug screens and fingerprinting.

The costs of these services can fall between $30.00 to $100.00.

How Much Does Home Health Aide Certification Cost?

Home Health Aides seeking to boost their career options by becoming certified through top certifying authorities like the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) can expect to spend between $29.00 – $135.00 on the cost of certification and recertification testing.

Learn more about certification costs and fees by visiting the NCCT website.

What Are The Additional Costs Association With Becoming a Home Health Aide?

New home Health Aides have primary educational costs and the costs of associated background checks, drug screens, and fingerprinting to consider as some costs of their education.

Other costs that aren’t directly billed by an educational institution or certification provider can include personally incurred fees for transportation costs to and from training and internships, the costs of required uniforms and supplies, and childcare or family care costs for aides with relatives to care for at home.

Is Becoming a Home Health Aide a Good Career Investment?

Becoming a Home Health Aide can be a good career investment for an allied health professional seeking to enter the field as a stepping stone to higher-paying careers in nursing, patient care, and related fields.

It can also be a good investment for those who intend to provide private home care services that are dedicated to mastering the home care role.

Home Health Aides in the US do not make high-paying salaries.

This means that if you are seeking a high-paying career in allied health additional training, certification, and the development of additional hands-on patient care skills will be required to earn a higher annual take-home pay.

Deciding to become a Home Health Aide is a personal choice and whether working in this career is a good investment depends on your individual goals, income expectations, and commitment to taking the required education and training to uplevel your career.

Key Takeaways

Becoming a Home Health Aide can Cost Between $29.00 – $2,500.00
Home Health Aides make an Average Annual Salary of Around $33,000.00 per year according to the BLS.
Home Health Aides will Need to Gain Additional Skills and Experience to Boost their Salaries.
Extraneous Costs for Home Health Aides Can Include Background Checks and Transportation Fees.
Home Health Aides are in High Demand Across the US According to America’s BLS