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EDMUND G. BROWN JR.
Governor

Health and Human Services Agency
California Department of Public Health


AFL 25-36
December 19, 2025


TO:
Home Health Agencies

SUBJECT:
Assembly Bill (AB) 1495 – Home Health Aides (HHA): Training and Certification

​​​​​​​​​


​AUTHORITY:     Health and Safety Code (HSC) sections 1736.2, 1736.15 and 1736.16​


​All Fa​cilities Letter (AFL) Summary

This AFL notifies home health agencies and training programs of the passage of AB 1495 (Chapter 400, Statutes of 2025) permitting HHAs to partially fulfill the training requirements for initial certification, and the in-service training requirements for renewal, through online and distance learning training programs and aligning requirements with federal standards. ​

​Online Learning Opportunities

Beginning January 1, 2026, HHA candidates will be able to satisfy part of their educational requirements online. AB 1495 provides that the online HHA training programs must meet the same standards as classroom-based training. Eligible programs must meet minimum educational standards, safeguard personal information, and submit data on trainee performance to CDPH. Training must:

  • Include live, interactive sessions between trainees and approved instructors using audio, video, and collaborative tools.
  • Verify trainee and instructor identities, including use of personal IDs and affidavits under penalty of perjury.
  • Implement safeguards for personal information.
  • Develop policies and procedures for equipment failures, student absences, late assignments and instructor availability outside of class hours.
  • Clearly state technology requirements to participate in and complete the program on the program website.
  • Report performance data (e.g. pass rates, module repeats) and any other data CDPH requests regarding trainee participation and completion of the program.

Application Submission and Processing Requirements

It is the responsibility of the training-program applicant to submit a complete application package that includes a fully developed learning management system that is in a format such that the review of the system provides the Department with a clear description of the expected consumer-level experience.

All required forms and instructions ar​​​​e available on the eLearning Review Unit's​ Online/Distance Learning HHA training program​ webpage or CDPH's Forms I​ndex​ webpage. All applicants must submit their completed applications to the eLearning Review Unit's email inbox: eLearning@cdph.ca.gov.

Aligning with Federal Requirements

Additionally, AB 1495 aligns California training requirements for home health aides with existing federal standards. To renew an unexpired certificate, the certificate holder must submit evidence of completing at least 12 hours of in-service training during each 12-month period of the certification. Instructors must be either a registered nurse (RN) who possesses a minimum of two years nursing experience, at least one year of which is in home health care, or a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) under the general supervision of an RN.

Facilities are responsible for following all applicable laws. CDPH's failure to expressly notify facilities of statutory or regulatory requirements does not relieve facilities of their responsibility for following all laws and regulations. Facilities should refer to the full text of all applicable sections of the Health and Safety Code and Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations.

If you have any questions about this AFL, please contact the eLearning Review Unit at ​eLearning@cdph.ca.gov.

 

Sincerely,

Original signed by Mandi Posner

Mandi Posner
Deputy Director​

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