The American Caregiver Association is the national certifying organization for caregivers in the United States and the largest caregiver certifying organization across the globe. The ACA provides online caregiver certification, training, and manages the National Caregiver Registry (NCR).

Visit Website

The ACA offers several certifications, including the National Caregiver Certification Course (NCCC), Advanced National Caregiver Certification Course (ANCCC), Activities of Daily Living Certification Course (ADLCC), National Alzheimer’s Certification Course (NACC), National Dementia Certification Course (NDCC), along with topic-based courses on Ethics, Personal Development, and Leadership for caregivers. The ACA also offers the National Assisted Living Manager Certification Course (NALMCC) and the Master Caregiver Certification (MCC).

View Courses

Most students complete their courses within a few days, depending on their schedule. All courses are 100% self-paced and completed through email, making them flexible and accommodating for all students.

View Course Info

Yes! The ACA’s certification programs are open to students worldwide. You can study and receive your certification entirely online through email, making it a very simple and convenient process.

Learn More

Your payment includes training materials, exams, certification documents, and automatic listing in the National Caregiver Registry (NCR) upon completion of your course.

See Details

Yes. Each course includes a short multiple-choice exam that you can take anytime after reviewing the material. All exams are open-book and untimed, making the process simple and flexible for all students.

Take Sample Test

You can renew your caregiver certification through our website. Renewing each year ensures that you maintain your “Active” status as a caregiver in the National Caregiver Registry (NCR).

Renew Now

They are essentially the same, as both provide care with only minor differences based on the needs of those they serve. While the specifics may vary, these are simply two different titles for caregivers who perform the same or similar type of work.

Learn More

If your client, family member, or loved one has an insurance policy that covers in-home care, it may be possible to obtain compensation as a caregiver. The ACA provides caregiver certification that helps caregivers qualify for insurance programs that may offer payment for caregiver services. For insurance purposes, we always recommend our National Caregiver Certification Course (NCCC).

Get Paid Info / See How

The NCR is a national database of ACA-certified caregivers, allowing families, employers, and insurance organizations to verify your certification with our Care Team. It is also the world’s largest database of certified caregivers.

View NCR Info

Yes. The ACA offers several bundle packages, such as the NCCC + NALMCC, providing dual certification at a discounted price.

View Bundles

Yes. Friends, family, or employers can purchase your course for you during checkout using a debit or credit card. On the right side of the billing page, there is a text field where the buyer can provide the student’s name, email, phone number, and address for their file.

Learn More

The ACA accepts all major credit and debit cards through a secure online checkout system.

See Payment Options

Yes! The ACA offers a detailed guide on how to start and operate your own private duty or self-employed caregiver service business.

Start Now / View Guide

The ACA is the national accrediting organization for caregivers in the United States, so no other organization accredits the ACA. This means that other organizations, companies, and individuals come to the ACA to obtain accreditation.

Learn About Accreditation

Yes. The ACA maintains a blog with tips, articles, and news for caregivers to enhance their knowledge and skills.

Read Blog

ACA members receive discounts, renewal reminders, exclusive resources, and priority updates on new certification courses. Membership also grants you “Active” status as a certified member in the National Caregiver Registry (NCR). When prospective clients, family members, or organizations want to verify your membership in the NCR, our Care Team can do so on your behalf.

Join Now

The Master Caregiver Certification (MCC) is the highest level of certification a caregiver can achieve. It sets you apart from other caregivers in terms of recognition and credentialing. To earn the MCC, you must complete nine certification courses, provide a résumé with a minimum of five years of verifiable caregiver experience in any setting, and pay the MCC application fee. Please visit our MCC page for more details.

Learn About MCC

You can reach the ACA Care Team through the Contact Us page for help with enrollment, renewal, or any other inquiries.

Contact Us

If your certification expires, your name will be suppressed in the National Caregiver Registry (NCR), and you will no longer appear under “Active” status. Once you renew, you will be reinstated to Active status in the NCR. However, late fees do apply when you renew after your Certification Renewal Date (CRD), so it’s best to renew early or on time.

Renew Certification