D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 29, § 5009
Personal Care Aide Qualifications
Effective Nov 18, 201663 DCR 14134Authority: Section 6(6) of the Department of Health Care Finance Establishment Act of 2007, effective February 27, 2008 (D.C. Law 17-109; D.C. Official Code § 7-771.05(6)), An Act To enable the District of Columbia to receive Federal financial assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act for a medical assistance program, and for other purposes, approved December 27, 1967 (81 Stat. 744; D.C. Official Code § 1-307.02), and Mayor’s Order 2024-115, dated July 1, 2024. Source: Final Rulemaking published at 50 DCR 3957 (May 23, 2003); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 51 DCR 6643 (July 2, 2004); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 53 DCR 1696 (March 10, 2006); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 59 DCR 1760, 1774 (March 2, 2012); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 60 DCR 15537 (November 8, 2013); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 63 DCR 14134 (November 18, 2016); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 72 DCR 004996 (April 25, 2025).District of Columbia, Office of the Secretary
5009 PERSONAL CARE AIDE REQUIREMENTS
5009.1 Each PCA, whether an employee of the Provider or secured through a staffing agency, shall meet the following requirements:
- (a) Obtain or have an existing Home Health Aide certification in accordance with Chapter 93 of Title 17 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations;
- (b) Confirm, on an annual basis, that he or she is free from communicable diseases including tuberculosis and hepatitis, by initially undergoing an annual purified protein derivative (PPD) test and receiving a hepatitis vaccine during physical examination by a physician, and subsequently obtaining, on an annual basis, written and signed documentation from the examining physician confirming freedom from communicable disease;
- (c) Provide evidence of current cardio pulmonary resuscitation and first aid certification;
- (d) Pass a criminal background check pursuant to the Health-Care Facility Unlicensed Personnel Criminal Background Check Act of 1998, effective April 20, 1999 (D.C. Law 12-238; D.C. Official Code §§ 44-551 et seq.);
- (e) Pass a reference check and a verification of prior employment;
- (f) Have an individual NPI number obtained from NPPES;
- (g) Obtain at least twelve (12) hours of continuing education or in-service training annually in accordance with the Department of Health's Home Care Agency training requirements under 22-B DCMR § 3915; and
- (h) Meet all of the qualifications for Home Health Aide trainees in accordance with Chapter 93 of Title 17 DCMR, which includes the following:
- (1) Be able to understand, speak, read, and write English at a fifth (5th) grade level or higher;
- (2) Be knowledgeable about infection prevention, including taking standard precautions; and
- (3) Possess basic safety skills including being able to recognize an emergency and be knowledgeable about emergency procedures.
SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 50 DCR 3957 (May 23, 2003); as amended by Final Rulemaking Public Welfare
published at 51 DCR 6643 (July 2, 2004); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 53 DCR 1696 (March 10, 2006); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 59 DCR 1760, 1774 (March 2, 2012); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 60 DCR 15537 (November 8, 2013); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 63 DCR 14134 (November 18, 2016).