AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
Implementing Initiative 1163
The passage of Initiative 1163 requires most Long Term Care (LTC) workers to receive additional training and become certified as a home care aide beginning January 7th, 2012. In addition, any LTC worker hired on or after 1/2/2012 is required to have a FBI fingerprint background check.
These changes impact adult family homes, boarding homes, home care agencies (both those accepting Medicaid and private pay), individual providers and DSHS contracted community instructors, and others.
New CE Requirements Begin 7/1/2012
DSHS must approve all curriculum and instructors for CE, required CE hours increase to 12 hours/year, and CE must be completed by the worker's birthday – not the end of the year. A worker whose birthdate is:
- Between 1/1/12 and 6/30/12 this year, must complete 10 hours of CE by 6/30/12. If this does not happen, the worker cannot continue to work.
- 7/1/12 or later this year, must complete his or her CE hours by their birthdate. If this does not happen, the worker cannot continue to work. If this worker completes 10 CE hours by 6/30/12, he or she has completed all required CE hours for 2012 and is not required to complete the additional two CE hours required after 7/1/2012. This worker should be encouraged to complete 10 hours of CE on or before 6/30/12.
CE application forms are expected to be available in May on this site. Continue to check here for further updates.
Temporary Extension for LTC Worker Training and Certification Deadlines
LTC workers hired from January 7th, 2012 through March 29th, 2012 required to complete basic training and home care aide certification have until:
- July 27, 2012 to meet their training requirements.
- August 26, 2012 to become certified as home care aides.
LTC workers hired AFTER March 30, 2012 required to complete basic training and home care aide certification have 120 days from hire to complete training and 150 days from hire to complete certification.
Training Requirements, Information, and Application Forms for:
- Adult Family Homes/Boarding Homes
- Home Care Agencies
- DSHS Contracted Community Instructors
- Individual Providers
Fingerprint Background Checks
Learn More about Initiative 1163
- Read the text of Initiative 1163.
- Read the emergency rules:
- 388-71 – In-home (PDF)
- 388-112 – Residential (PDF)
- See a chart listing an overview of the 1163 changes.
- Read a PowerPoint reviewing the changes.
- Training requirements (PDF)
- Certification requirements (PDF)
- Testing requirements (PDF)
- See a list of exempt workers.
- Visit the Department of Health website for more information regarding home care aide certification.
- Visit the Prometric website to learn more about certification testing and the test application process.
Additional Resources
- Find a Training Class or Trainer in Your Area
- DSHS curriculum Available
What DSHS curriculum is available, PDFs and Word files, and suggested uses - Ordering DSHS student materials
- Getting your NEW curriculum approved
- Becoming a Paid Caregiver
