Who can work in home health, and what you need

What home health care covers

Medicare's home health benefit covers services such as part-time skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology and home health aide care for eligible patients at home. That's why home health agencies employ RNs, LPN/LVNs, therapists and aides.

Requirements by role

• Registered nurses and LPN/LVNs: an active license in the state where the patient lives. Find your board.
• Physical, occupational and speech therapists: an active state license. Therapy careers.
• Home health aides: In a Medicare-certified home health agency, aides must complete training and a competency evaluation. Classroom and supervised practical training must total at least 75 hours, and at least 16 hours of classroom training must come before at least 16 hours of supervised practical training (42 CFR 484.80). Aides also need at least 12 hours of in-service training every 12 months. Some states add their own requirements.

California

In California, home health aides are certified by the California Department of Public Health. A current CNA can qualify by completing a 40-hour CDPH-approved program (20 hours classroom and 20 hours clinical). CDPH also lists a 120-hour route that doesn't require a CNA. Certified aides need 24 hours of in-service training or CEUs in each 2-year period.

Skills agencies look for

• Clear communication with patients, families and the care team
• Good observation and notes: agencies rely on accurate visit documentation to plan care
• Independence and judgment, since you're often the only professional in the home
• Comfort with travel and scheduling

Demand

BLS projects home health and personal care aide jobs will grow 18.1% from 2025 to 2035, one of the fastest rates of any large occupation. See pay and openings.

Adding home health visits to your schedule

Many nurses and therapists add PRN home visits on top of another job. If you do, confirm how visits are paid (per visit or per hour), how mileage works, and how much documentation time each visit takes.