Do caregivers have to be licensed?

Whether or not a caregiver must be licensed depends on the state. Some states like Alaska require only CPR training while others such as Vermont require caregivers to pass a state exam.

Washington state requires caregivers to take 85 hours of training to become a certified caregiver. Rhode Island requires caregivers to go through 20 hours of classroom training and 5 hours of practical training. Oklahoma expects prospective caregivers to undergo 16 hours of classroom training, 16 hours of supervised practical training along with 59 hours of classroom training.

Prospective caregivers should check with their state to find out what requirements must be met before seeking employment.