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Home care staff requirements in New Jersey

New Jersey licenses home health agencies through the Department of Health, while non-medical staffing-style home care companies that place aides are licensed as health care service firms by the Division of Consumer Affairs. Aides placed by these firms must be Certified Homemaker-Home Health Aides (CHHAs), which requires a 76-hour approved course, a competency exam and a Board of Nursing criminal history check, with renewal every two years. Home health agencies must also give staff a two-step TB test or blood test at hire and repeat skin testing yearly.

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Licenses

Home health agencies are licensed under Department of Health rules at N.J.A.C. 8:42 (N.J.A.C. 8:42-1.1).
Agencies regulated by the Division of Consumer Affairs must be licensed as health care service firms to place certified homemaker-home health aides (N.J.A.C. 13:45B-14.7(a)).
A health care service firm may only place actively certified homemaker-home health aides that it employs (N.J.A.C. 13:45B-14.7(b)).
Home health agency staff who need a license or certification must be licensed or certified under New Jersey law (N.J.A.C. 8:42-3.4(b)).

Background checks

Applicants for CHHA certification must submit a Criminal History Certification of Authorization form to the Board of Nursing (N.J.A.C. 13:37-14.9(a)(3)).
If the criminal history background check shows a conviction, the Board notifies the applicant and the prospective employer of a preliminary disqualification, and the applicant has 30 days to dispute it or show rehabilitation (N.J.A.C. 13:37-14.9(d)).
Before placing a worker, a health care service firm must verify all employment for the prior year and ask each employer why the job ended (N.J.A.C. 13:45B-14.6(a)).

Training and competency

CHHA training programs must be at least 76 hours, including 60 hours of classroom and 16 hours of clinical instruction (N.J.A.C. 13:37-14.4(c)).
The CHHA curriculum covers the aide's role, legal and ethical duties including abuse reporting, communication, safety, infection control including TB, HIV and hepatitis B, body mechanics, emergencies and body systems care (N.J.A.C. 13:37-14.4(g)).
CHHA applicants must pass the competency evaluation exam and have finished training no more than six months before applying (N.J.A.C. 13:37-14.9(a)(1) and (c)).
CHHA certification must be renewed every two years (N.J.A.C. 13:37-14.13(b)).
Home health agency orientation must include infection control practices for the employee's discipline, and infection control education must be offered at least yearly (N.J.A.C. 8:42-12.7).

Health screening

Home health agency staff need an initial health evaluation with at least a documented health history (N.J.A.C. 8:42-3.4(e)).
Home health agency staff must get an IGRA blood test or two-step Mantoux skin test at hire, with limited exceptions for recent negative or documented positive results (N.J.A.C. 8:42-3.4(h)).
The rule calls for the tuberculin skin test to be repeated every year (N.J.A.C. 8:42-3.4(h)(2)).
Direct care staff must receive measles and rubella testing and be offered vaccination at hire unless immunity is documented (N.J.A.C. 8:42-3.4(i)).
Employee health records must be kept confidential and separate from personnel records (N.J.A.C. 8:42-3.4(f)).

Also in the personnel file

Home health agency personnel records must include previous employment, education, license number and expiration, certifications, verification of credentials and references, health records, job description and performance evaluations (N.J.A.C. 8:42-3.4(d)).
Home health agency direct care staff must wear an employee ID tag (N.J.A.C. 8:42-3.4(c)).
In a health care service firm, the supervising practitioner must check on the plan of care at least every 30 days and make an in-home evaluation at least every 60 days (N.J.A.C. 13:45B-14.9(c) and (g)).
A CHHA employed by a health care service firm may only perform tasks delegated or directed by the supervising practitioner, who must confirm the aide is competent and document each delegated task (N.J.A.C. 13:45B-14.7(c)-(e)).

Common questions

What background checks do home care aides need in New Jersey?

Applicants for CHHA certification must submit a Criminal History Certification of Authorization form to the Board of Nursing (N.J.A.C. 13:37-14.9(a)(3)).

How much training do home care aides need in New Jersey?

CHHA training programs must be at least 76 hours, including 60 hours of classroom and 16 hours of clinical instruction (N.J.A.C. 13:37-14.4(c)).

What health screening do home care workers in New Jersey need?

Home health agency staff need an initial health evaluation with at least a documented health history (N.J.A.C. 8:42-3.4(e)).

Which license does a home care agency need in New Jersey?

Home health agencies are licensed under Department of Health rules at N.J.A.C. 8:42 (N.J.A.C. 8:42-1.1).

Some rules for New Jersey weren't confirmed from an official source. Check with the state before relying on this page.

Sources

This page summarizes state licensing rules in plain words, with links to the rules themselves. It is not legal advice, rules change, and your license type decides what applies: check the linked source and your licensing agency. Medicare-certified home health agencies also follow 42 CFR 484.80. Checked October 2026.

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