Home Health Aide (HHA) Training and Registration Program

About the Home Health Aide (HHA) Training and Registration Program

The Home Health Aide (HHA) Training and Registration Program at the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) is designed to ensure that individuals meet both state and federal requirements to work as HHAs in Indiana. All qualified HHAs must be listed in the Indiana Aides Registry.

HHAs primarily work with a home health or hospice agency. HHAs perform home health services ordered by a licensed physician, licensed chiropractor, licensed podiatrist, licensed optometrist, nurse practitioner, or licensed physician assistant.

IDOH surveyors review training programs and skills competencies during surveys to ensure each agency is meeting federal regulations.

How do I become an HHA in Indiana?

There are two ways to qualify for HHA registration in Indiana. You may complete a training program or be a HHA in another state (reciprocity). You may read more about each below.

Complete a Training Program

• Complete a training program through a licensed home health or hospice agency.
• Successfully pass a competency evaluation that covers all required subjects listed in Indiana's state rules.

Submitting Applications from Training Programs

• Licensed facilities must submit applications through the IDOH Gateway.
• Unlicensed facilities must email applications to Aides@health.in.gov.
• If the agency is precluded, the contracted person, facility, or agency conducting the training must email applications to Aides@health.in.gov.

Reciprocity (Transfer of Certification from Another State)

• Must be currently certified as an HHA in another state.
• Certification must be active, in good standing, with no verified complaints or disciplinary action.
• Must obtain a national background check to submit with the application.

Submitting Applications for Reciprocity

Click here to start your application for reciprocity.

Training Requirements

Home health and hospice agencies are responsible for establishing their own policies on the qualifications and required training for HHAs. IDOH does not certify or approve training sites or the syllabus of each individual agency or organization under contract to provide HHA training services. Each agency is permitted to make a training program more stringent, but each program must meet the requirements identified in Indiana Code (IC), Indiana Administrative Code (IAC), and Title 42, Chapter IV, Subchapter G, Part 484 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

State Requirements

Home health agencies that hold state licensure must follow 410 IAC 17-14-1 and IC 16-27. These agencies are required to confirm that training and continuing education requirements are led, supervised, or conducted by a registered nurse (RN). In addition, these agencies must maintain records of HHA training competencies. HHAs must meet all state rules before working with patients.

Federal Requirements

Home health agencies that are certified at the federal level must beet the standards of CFR 484.36. This means that HHA training must include at least 75 hours, which includes 16 hours of supervised hands-on practice. A minimum of 16 hours of classroom instruction must be completed prior to starting any practical training.

What is the competency evaluation test?

To become an HHA in Indiana after the completion of a 75-hour training program and practicum, a competency evaluation test must be passed. This test is administered by the trainer of the home health agency. You are officially an HHA and will be added to the Indiana Aides Registry when the test is passed and your application is submitted to IDOH.

The education module for tube feeding allows for the certification of HHAs to administer nutritional feedings through a gastrostomy or jejunal tube. This training is for HHAs who are working with patients served by home health agencies licensed in Indiana. The training must be provided by a home health agency licensed in Indiana and led by an RN who holds an active license in Indiana and is in good standing. All instruction must follow the approved curriculum set by IDOH.

In addition to following the approved curriculum set by IDOH, home health agencies that allow HHAs to administer tube feedings must establish a procedure for the delegation of the administration of tube feedings to HHAs from an RN. The procedure must include patient-specific clinical parameters based on the assessment of the patient from the RN. The procedure must also include and identify the HHA's competency to administer the tube feedings and a procedure for the assessment by the RN of the patient-specific clinical parameters.

The training includes four to eight hours of classroom training by a licensed RN following IDOH's approved curriculum and two to four hours of practical training with one-on-one supervision by the licensed RN.

Tests Required

Testing includes a written test, a skills competency checklist, and a practical examination by the trainer of the home health agency.

Written Test

• Must be successfully passed with a score of at least 88%.
• Administered by Ivy Tech Community College (ITCC).

Skills Competency Checklist/Test

• Administered by the RN of the home health agency.
• Must be completed with 100% accuracy.

Testing Procedure

• Testing locations are offered throughout the state and scheduled through ITCC.
• Applications are completed online (click here).
• The fee schedule is also listed on ITCC's website.
• Contact email: CNA_QMA_Testing@ivytech.edu

Renewal of the certification for tube feeding is completed with HHA renewals. HHAs who have a tube feeding certification must complete an additional one-hour of annual training that is specific to the administration of gastrointestinal and jejunostomy tube feedings.

How do I renew my certification?

To stay active as an HHA in Indiana, you must work at least eight hours in nursing-related duties and complete 12 hours of in-service training each year of certification.

Renewal is free and completed through MyLicenseOne; you may print your card here, too. For questions on renewals, please contact Aides@health.in.gov.

In-Service Training Hours

• HHAs in Indiana must complete 12 hours of in-service training each year of certification. HHAs who have a tube feeding certification must complete an additional one-hour of annual training that is related to tube feeding.
• HHAs who are providing care to patients with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or a related cognitive disorder must complete six hours of dementia training within 60 days of hire in order to provide care.
• HHAs who have been employed for at least one year must complete three hours of dementia training.

How do I update my contact information?

The Indiana Aides Registry uses the MyLicenseOne application to manage certifications. It is your responsibility to update this information within 30 days of a name, address, phone, or email change.

The Indiana Aides Registry may be searched by the name of an aide to verify status.

Statuses

• A status of active indicates that the aide has met all requirements and is eligible to be employed as an aide in Indiana.
• A status of expired means that the aide is ineligible to be employed until they renew their certification.
• A status of finding means that the aide is prohibited from working as a certified nurse aide (CNA), qualified medication aide (QMA), or HHA. Findings are updated routinely, as they are placed on aide’s certifications. You may subscribe to the listserv by contacting SRSHelpDesk@isdh.in.gov and requesting to be added. Emails will contain CNAs, QMAs, and HHAs who have had new findings placed on the Indiana Aide Registry. If you have questions on an aide’s status, please email AideInvestigations@health.in.gov.

What is the Certified Healthcare Professions Commission?

The Certified Healthcare Professions Commission is a group of seven members appointed by the Governor of Indiana. These members come from a variety of backgrounds, including nurse aides, registered nurses who have experience training nurse aides, nursing facility administrators, and individuals who use nursing services in Indiana. The commission holds public meetings that are announced according to IDOH's policies and procedures.

The commission is responsible for the following:

• Considering and making determinations concerning the qualifications of individuals who apply to become a CNA, QMA, or HHA.
• Renewing registrations and certifications.
• Considering and making determinations concerning qualifications for instructors or nurse aide training programs and qualified medication aide training programs.
• Considering and making determinations concerning the curriculum for CNA, QMA, and HHA training programs.
• Reviewing evidence concerning allegations against a CNA, QMA, or HHA submitted by IDOH.
• Allowing the CNA, QMA, or HHA to provide a written or oral statement to the commission regarding the evidence IDOH presented.
• Directing IDOH to enter a finding in the registry against a CNA, QMA, or HHA, if appropriate, after review of the evidence and statement.

Certified Healthcare Professions Commission

Anyone may submit a complaint to IDOH about care provided at any licensed or certified Indiana healthcare facility or entity. IDOH is available to receive complaints against nursing homes, hospitals, home health agencies, hospice agencies, personal service agencies, and intermediate care facilities for persons with intellectual disabilities (ICF-IID; also called group homes). IDOH investigates all eligible complaints.

This report link is to a page that provides information about the complaint process and how to report a complaint. A complaint report form is provided for individuals to assist in the reporting of care issues.

Laws/Regulations

Last Updated: Apr. 16, 2026