California HCA Registry Application Process
(for Home Care Aides in CA)
1/21/2021 UPDATE: CALIFORNIA HAS REPLACED THE OLD SYSTEM WITH A NEW ONE CALLED “GUARDIAN” WHICH IS CAUSING SOME DELAYS AND CONFUSION
Applying to be on California’s HCA Registry (Home Care Aide registry) is confusing, and the process sometimes changes. Below are the latest steps in clear, plain English, so you can get started quickly. The cost is $105-$115 if you start from scratch, and we will reimburse you this cost once you actively work with us for 90 days. If you have questions, please call us at 916-742-5328 and we can help.
APPLY NOW FOR A CAREGIVER JOB WITH FIRSTLIGHT HOME CARE
Note that you must be in the HCA registry before you can perform HCA (Home Care Aide) services in someone’s home. And you must be “affiliated” with FirstLight before you can work with FirstLight as a HCA.
Here are some links with more information about the Home Care Aide registry from the state of California:
HCA Registry Steps: Here’s How To Fully Register
STEP 1 To Get On The HCA Registry:
Register as a HCA (Home Care Aide) with the state (this is what CA calls caregivers — “Home Care Aides”).
⇒ Time: 5-10 minutes (you do it online here)
- when asked for a PIN, you must enter the one supplied by the home care agency you will be working for
- Home Care Organization: Terpcare, DBA FirstLight Home Care Of Placer County
- HCO #: 314700018
- Address (if needed): 775 Sunrise Ave., #130, Roseville, CA 95661
- Phone (if needed): 916-749-4307
STEP 2:
Get “Live Scanned” (fingerprinted and background checked). Results typically take 3-5 days (unless there’s a delay), and you will get the results in the mail. It costs between $70 and $80 at most places, which we will reimburse you after 90 days of active employment. LIC 9163 – HCA Live Scan (it already has the FirstLight information in it). Then take it to a Live Scan location and have the person there fill out the bottom. One place to get Live Scanned (and there are more) is the Wellness Mart at 300 Harding Blvd. Suite 117, Roseville, (916) 781-2555 (you can also get a $35 TB test here if you need one). Wellness Mart also has a Sacramento location at the Arden Town Shopping Center (558 La Sierra Drive). Another is Five Star Fingerprinting at 6721 Five Star Blvd, Rocklin ((916) 630-7827). You can also get Live Scanned at most UPS Stores.
- NOTE: If you have already been Live Scanned for another Home Care company, a Residential Care Facility or Child Care in California within the last two years, then you do NOT need to be Live Scanned again. (If you can get a copy, it should be form LIC 9163, written on the bottom left corner). Simply give us your PER/HCA ID (which you get once you complete Step 1 above) and we will have it transferred so that you can work for FirstLight. If it has been more than 2 years, then you will need to be Live Scanned for the HCA Registry (Step 2 above).
- NOTE: If you have already been Live Scanned for some other agency/job such as HHA (Home Health Aide) or IHSS (In-Home Supportive Services), or as part of your CNA training, you STILL NEED TO BE LIVE SCANNED. We cannot get these Live Scans transferred, so you need Live Scanned for the HCA Registry (Step 2 above).
APPLY NOW FOR A CAREGIVER JOB WITH FIRSTLIGHT HOME CARE
Once you have completed HCA Registry Step 1 and Step 2, you can search California’s HCA Registry database by entering your name and HCA/PER ID here: https://secure.dss.ca.gov/ccld/hcsregistry/registrysearch.aspx
The Home Care Aide’s status refers to whether or not he or she is qualified to serve as a registered Home Care Aide. The following is a list of all possible statuses:
- REGISTERED: The Home Care Aide has a cleared criminal history and is registered. This “REGISTERED” status is what you need to start working.
- PENDING: The California Department of Social Services is currently processing the Home Care Aide’s application (it might still be waiting for your Live Scan results).
- DENIED: The Home Care Aide’s application has been denied registration or is ineligible to apply for registration.
- EXPIRED: The two year period for registration has elapsed and the Home Care Aide has not renewed registration.
- CLOSED: The Home Care Aide has withdrawn his or her application.
- FORFEITED: The Home Care Aide has surrendered his or her registration.
- REVOKED: The Aide’s registration has been rescinded by the California Department of Social Services or is ineligible to apply for registration.
When your status says “Registered,” this means your Live Scan has been processed and shows no criminal background. You will also get a letter in the mail, showing your Live Scan results and your approval to be in the HCA registry, but before that you will see your status change to “Registered.”
NOTE: Step 3 Is Not Required To Be On The HCA Registry. But it is required for you to work for a Home Care company. So basically, you still have to do it.
STEP 3: Get a TB (Tuberculosis) test showing that you are “negative” or do not have TB, and bring it to FirstLight. You need either
- a negative test that’s no less than 90 days old (or received within 7 days after employment); or
- if you have worked for another HCO (Home Care Organization) within the last 2 years, a negative test that you supplied to them for employment.
Once you take care of this initial TB test documentation, you need to be tested every two years. If you need a new test, one good place to go (and there are others) is the Wellness Mart (where you can also get Live Scanned) in Roseville at 300 Harding Blvd. Suite 117 ((916) 781-2555 or askros@wellnessmart.com). Wellness Mart also has a Sacramento location at the Arden Town Shopping Center (558 La Sierra Drive) ((916) 480-0600 or asksac@wellnessmart.com). Wellness Mart charges $35 for their TB test ( http://wellnessmart.com/tb-testing/ ), and you can also get Live Scanned there.
APPLY NOW FOR A CAREGIVER JOB WITH FIRSTLIGHT HOME CARE
Good luck with your Home Care Aide career and please call us with any questions at 916-749-4307!
Thanks!