Understanding the ACA, Its Certification and Where It Applies
The American Caregiver Association provides online certification courses for non-medical caregivers. This page explains what the organization is, what it is not, which claims can be independently verified, and where ACA certification applies.
Who we are, in plain terms
The American Caregiver Association (ACA) is the national certifying organization for caregivers and the largest caregiver certifying body around the globe. It is not a government agency, a state licensing board, or a medical credentialing body. Certification documents completion of an ACA course of study and entry into the National Caregiver Registry, or NCR.
The NCR is the official registry for caregivers at the national level in the U.S. and the largest database of certified caregivers in the world. Certification is always beneficial regardless of your particular scenario but there are some key things to know. We have outlined those things below.
Two records published by outside institutions
You do not have to take our word for either of these. Both can be read on the publishing organization's own website.
Gallaudet University built a caregiver program around the ACA exam
Gallaudet University's National Caregiver Certification Training is a self-paced online course, delivered in American Sign Language and English, that prepares learners for the American Caregiver Association (ACA) exam, described on their page as the national standard in caregiver certification.
Gallaudet University was chartered by the United States Congress in 1864 and serves deaf and hard of hearing students. Its Deaf-Centric National Caregiver Certification Training uses the ACA examination as the credential endpoint. It is the only ASL-based caregiver certification pathway of its kind in the United States.
American Caregiver Association is named in a U.S. Senate press release
American Caregiver Association President Vincent S. Pettis was quoted in support of the Paid Family and Medical Leave Tax Credit Extension and Enhancement Act, in the same release as the Society for Human Resource Management, the National Federation of Independent Businesses, the National Restaurant Association and Bipartisan Policy Center Action.
Every description we use for ourselves, and where each comes from
Some of these can be checked on an outside website. Others are our own records. We have marked which is which.
The clearest way to place us in the field
Is
- An independent national association like the American Heart Association and American Red Cross, and other familiar national associations. The ACA provides online (via the email process) certification courses in non-medical caregiving at the national level.
- Prior to the ACA establishing national caregiver certification there was no such entity. The ACA both established and set the standard at the national level with regard to non-medical caregiver certification. So, the ACA was the forerunner at the national level, national accrediting for caregivers, national standards for caregivers, as well as the creator of the National Caregiver Registry, or NCR.
- A provider of training in non-medical caregiving, Alzheimer's and dementia care, activities of daily living , assisted living facility management, master caregiver, caregiver ethics, caregiver leadership, caregiver development, and facility accreditation at the national level.
- Operator of the National Caregiver Registry, an internal record of ACA course completions.
- A body that verifies, on request, whether a person holds an active ACA certification in good standing.
- Largest caregiver certifying organization across the globe, with affiliates in several countries providing caregiver training under the ACA banner.
Is not
- A government agency or state licensing board.
- A provider of state level approved training. Home health companies regulated by the state sometimes require state level caregiver certification for any caregiver they hire. This varies by state and not all companies fall under this umbrella.
- A licensed nursing, medical or clinical credential.
- A staffing agency, job placement service or employer.
- A background check, work history check or character reference.
The settings it is built for, and the settings it does not cover
Applies to
- Private-duty, self-employed, independent caregiving , where families select the caregiver to care for a loved one.
- Private-pay, private care arrangements, and non-medical caregiver, HHA , PCA , companion caregiver roles.
- Insurance-related caregiving arrangements such as long-term care and private insurance.
- Caregivers seeking employment with companies that do not require state level certification.
- Documenting completed training on a resume or to a private client.
- Added credentialing and status in the National Caregiver Registry, verifiable through the ACA.
Does not replace
- State-approved training at a Medicare or Medicaid certified home health agency, governed by federal rules including 42 CFR 484.80.
- A state CNA credential and nurse aide registry listing. CNA and caregiver training are two different certifications.
- A nursing license or any clinical scope of practice.
- Employer-specific training required by a workplace.
- A background check or proof of work history.
Three steps for families and employers
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Identify the issuing organization
A certificate on its own carries no verification. Anyone who seeks to verify a caregiver certification must contact the American Caregiver Association.
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Contact that organization
To verify an ACA certification email the ACA at info@americancaregiverassociation.org . The ACA Care Team will confirm whether an individual holds an active certification in good standing in the National Caregiver Registry (NCR).
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Assess practical skill
Training documents study completed. A trial shift provides you with an opportunity to be evaluated by a qualified individual and assess whether or not you can demonstrate competency as a non-medical caregiver.
How it works: simple and flexible
How it works
- Fully online, self-paced, completed by email.
- No prerequisites and no prior experience required.
- No high school diploma or GED required.
- Examinations are open book and untimed.
- Open to international students.
- Completion recorded in the National Caregiver Registry (NCR).
What that means
- Core ACA courses are designed for all caregiver settings.
- As a knowledge-based open book course, the credential documents study completed rather than supervised hands-on competency.
- Employers and families should assess practical skill separately.
The questions we are asked most often
Is the American Caregiver Association accredited?
The ACA is the accrediting body for caregivers at the national level in the United States because the ACA established such. No United States government agency designates a national caregiver certifying or accrediting organization. This is dictated by the American Caregiver Association solely.
The American Caregiver Association established this independently of the federal government because it did not exist prior to the ACA creating this decades ago. National caregiver credentialing is tied to completion of an ACA course, which falls into the certificate category.
What is the difference between state and national caregiver certification?
The two levels of caregiver certification, state and national
There are two separate levels of caregiver certification, state and national, like many trades and professions. Caregiving is no different.
State level certification is often, but not always, required when a caregiver seeks employment with a state regulated company. Not all caregiver companies are regulated by the state. All states are different in terms of their requirements, so there is no one size fits all certification for all caregivers in all situations when it comes to the 50 states.
National caregiver certification is much more broadly used across the U.S.
At the national level certification is used for the same reasons as state level certification depending on the state specific rules and regulations. But in addition to settings where you would utilize a state level certification, national caregiver certification is also used in settings that are not used for state level certification.
These settings include but are not limited to the following: private-duty, self-employed, independent caregiving, family caregiving, long-term care insurance, private care arrangements, companion care, friends helping friends, privately owned home health companies, 55 plus communities, and similar arrangements.
Limitation of state level caregiver certification
It is important to note that state level caregiver certification is state specific. State level caregiver certification is not transferable to another state. State caregiver certification is also only applicable for those companies or organizations that are regulated or licensed by the state, where state level certification is required. Most caregivers seeking caregiver certification will not be working in or for state licensed companies or facilities. They will seek national certification with the American Caregiver Association.
Portability of national caregiver certification
Conversely, certification at the national level is portable in that it goes where you go, making it more intrinsically valuable than state level caregiver certification. When you move to another state and seek employment with a state regulated company then you fall under that specific state's rules and regulations for caregivers. National caregiver certification carries much broader usage than state level as outlined above.
Is the National Caregiver Registry a public directory?
No. It is an internal record of people who have completed ACA certification courses. It is not searchable by the public and it is not a state nurse aide registry. Privacy policies set by the ACA are meant to do just that, protect your privacy and records with the ACA, therefore there is no public access to the NCR. When an employer, insurer or family member contacts the ACA, certification status is verified upon request.
Is it a scam?
No. The ACA delivers the training and credentials as described, and that credential can be verified by contacting the organization. The ACA does not grant a license, guarantee employment, or replace state-required training when that is required by your employer. We recommend due diligence, always.
Is it worth the cost?
Yes, always. Over the decades the ACA has made a concerted effort to ensure that the cost for our caregiver certification courses stay affordable to everyone. Having said this, ACA courses are always worth the cost because they provide you with the essential knowledge and tools to provide quality care for our seniors and loved ones.
Likewise, certification provides you documented credentialing as a caregiver whether you are a private-duty, family or non-medical caregiver, a home health aide, PCA, or acquiring certification for purposes of insurance. The value is always built-in and portable. And, you can always enhance your credentialing with added certification and status in the National Caregiver Registry (NCR).
Does the certification expire?
As is standard in the health care industry certifications are required to be renewed annually to maintain standing in the National Caregiver Registry. You will begin to receive renewal notifications about one month prior to your certification renewal date, or CRD.
What is the refund policy?
Per ACA Terms of Service (TOS) there are no refunds after a course, bundle package, ID card, membership or hard copy certificate has been sent to the buyer. A buyer may receive a refund if items have not already been emailed or mailed to the buyer.
What you can certify in
The American Caregiver Association offers a variety of caregiver certification courses to meet your needs. Currently we offer the following courses.
Master Caregiver Certification (MCC)
MCC is not a course. However, specific prerequisites must be met with the American Caregiver Association in order to apply for MCC. MCC is one of a kind, a unique and special certification for those who have been in the industry for five years or more and meet additional ACA course requirements. No other entity offers such esteemed credentialing. Read the MCC requirements .
Certification process: simple and flexible
All courses are self-paced, making them flexible and accommodating. All courses are also completed through the email process, including the exam. All exams are open book and untimed, so there is no need to worry about time constraints, busy schedules or the occasions where things come up unexpectedly. Your course will be waiting for you when you are ready to complete it, on your schedule, not ours.
Ready to get certified?
Order your course, complete it on your own schedule, and your name is recorded in the National Caregiver Registry.