Red Cross Home Health Aide Certification: What You Need to Know
If you searched for “Red Cross home health aide certification,” you’re not alone. The American Red Cross has one of the most trusted names in healthcare training in the country — so it makes sense that people would turn to them first when looking to become a certified HHA.
But here’s something important you need to know before you go any further: the American Red Cross discontinued its Nurse Assistant and Home Health Aide training program at the end of 2023. It’s no longer offered. If you find websites or links suggesting you can sign up for Red Cross HHA training, that information is out of date.
The good news? You absolutely can still become a certified Home Health Aide — and there are plenty of solid options to do it. This article will walk you through exactly what happened, what your alternatives are, and how to move forward with confidence.
What Did the Red Cross Actually Offer?
For many years, the American Red Cross ran a well-regarded combined Nurse Assistant and Home Health Aide training program. It was a 75- to 126-hour program — depending on the location — that taught students the skills needed to work in nursing homes, hospitals, and private homes. It included hands-on clinical experience and CPR certification, and it prepared graduates to sit for their state competency exam.
Some chapters, like the one in Massachusetts, ran a combined 4-week day program or a 7-week evening program — a practical setup for people who needed to fit training around work or family. The program had a strong reputation, and many HHAs across the country got their start through it.
But as of December 31, 2023, the Red Cross made the decision to stop scheduling new NAT and HHA training courses entirely. The program is gone, and there are no current plans to bring it back.
Why Did the Red Cross Stop Offering HHA Training?
The Red Cross hasn’t shared a detailed public explanation, but this kind of decision usually comes down to resources and focus. The Red Cross does a lot — disaster relief, blood services, military support, and a wide range of training programs. Narrowing the focus to what they do best (CPR, First Aid, BLS, lifeguarding) allows them to concentrate their resources more effectively.
It’s also worth noting that HHA training is highly regulated at the state level, and requirements vary significantly from state to state. That can make it difficult for a national organization to run a consistent, compliant program across the country.
So Where Do You Get HHA Certified Now?
Here’s the reassuring part: the Red Cross was never the only option — and in many ways, it wasn’t even the most accessible one. There are three main paths to HHA certification that are widely available across the country:
1. Home Health Agencies
Many home health agencies offer free training to people who commit to working with them after certification. This is one of the most practical routes available — you train, you pass your exam, and you have a job waiting. The demand for HHAs is so high right now that agencies are actively recruiting and willing to invest in training new workers.
2. Community Colleges and Vocational Schools
This is where a lot of Red Cross-style programs have landed. Community colleges and vocational training centers in most states offer state-approved HHA programs that are similar in structure to what the Red Cross offered — typically 4 to 8 weeks, combining classroom instruction with hands-on clinical hours. Some programs, like those offered in Massachusetts, even combine HHA and CNA training into one certificate program. Costs are generally low, and financial assistance is often available.
3. Government-Funded Training Programs
If you receive SNAP benefits (food stamps) or qualify for other forms of public assistance, you may be eligible for free HHA training through workforce development programs in your state. These programs exist specifically to help people enter stable careers — and home health aide is consistently at the top of the list of approved fields. Your local workforce development office or Department of Labor can point you in the right direction.
What Red Cross Training Is Still Relevant for HHAs?
Even though the Red Cross no longer offers HHA certification training, there are still Red Cross programs that are useful — and sometimes required — for people working in home health care.
CPR and First Aid certification is one of the most common requirements for HHA employment. Many agencies require you to have a current CPR/First Aid card, and the Red Cross is one of the most widely accepted providers of that certification. Their in-person and blended (online + skills session) formats are convenient and affordable.
Bloodborne Pathogens training is another Red Cross course that directly applies to home health work — it covers how to protect yourself and your clients from infection, which is a real and practical concern in this job.
So while the Red Cross can’t certify you as an HHA anymore, their training offerings still play a supporting role in your career.
The Step That Still Stands Between You and Certification
No matter which training program you choose — community college, agency-sponsored, or state-funded — the path to HHA certification ends at the same place: the competency exam.
This two-part test includes a written section and a hands-on skills evaluation. It’s the official gate between completing your training and becoming a certified, employable HHA. Most people who fail it aren’t failing because the material is too hard — they fail because they didn’t prepare the right way or didn’t know what to expect.
That’s exactly what the HHA Exam Secrets Study Guide was built for. It covers everything tested on the exam, includes hundreds of practice questions with clear explanations, and comes with five full online practice tests you can take on your own time. It’s updated for 2026 and backed by a pass guarantee — if you use it and don’t pass your first time, you get your money back.
How to Find a State-Approved HHA Program Near You
The best place to start is your state’s Department of Health or Department of Public Health website. Every state that requires HHA certification maintains a list of approved training programs. You can also search for:
- Community colleges or vocational schools in your area offering CNA or HHA programs
- Home health agencies that advertise free or paid training for new hires
- Your local American Job Center, which can connect you to workforce training funds
- SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) programs if you currently receive food assistance
Training programs vary by state — some require 75 hours, others require more. The timeline is typically 3 to 6 weeks for full-time programs, or longer if you attend evenings or part time.
Don’t Let This Stop You
Finding out the Red Cross no longer offers HHA training can feel like a dead end — especially if you were counting on it. But it really isn’t. The options available to you now are just as solid, often less expensive, and in many cases easier to access.
Home health aide is still one of the fastest-growing careers in the country. The demand is real. The path is clear. And the certification — while it takes some work — is absolutely within reach.
This site is here to help you every step of the way, from finding the right training program to walking into your competency exam prepared and confident.
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