Individual personal care assistant (PCA) training

The learning objectives include:

• Basic roles and responsibilities of an individual PCA
• Basic first aid
• Vulnerable adult or child maltreatment
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) universal precautions

People taking the online training must have:

• A computer with Internet access (agencies may provide onsite access to their employees or potential employees)
• A valid email address

Review the Individual PCA training course as often as needed.

Register through the online training registration page to take the online test (you may take the test as often as needed, or until successfully completed). To register:

1. Click the drop-down arrow to the right of the Event box
2. Click on the Personal Care Assistant (PCA) option
3. Click the Next – Register button to open and complete the registration page and submit your registration

Use the confirmation number from your registration only for canceling the registration, if needed.

This online training is free.

After passing the test, you will be able to print a certificate of successful completion. DHS will also send a copy of the certificate to the email address used to register for the test.

Give a copy of the completion certificate to the employer agency or agencies and keep a copy for your own records. If you lose your certificate, you are responsible for obtaining a new copy or retaking the test to obtain a new copy. 

PCAs affiliated with a PCA provider agency should contact their PCA provider agency with questions. If the provider agency is unable to answer the question, the agency may contact the MHCP Provider Call Center at 651-431-2700 or 800-366-5411.

PCAs not yet affiliated with a PCA provider agency may email questions to Dhs.Dsdtahelp@state.mn.us or call 651-431-4300 or 866-867-7655.

• Individual PCA Standardized Training section of the PCA Manual.
• MHCP Individual Personal Care Assistant (PCA) Standardized Training
• DHS Disability Services Division Individual PCA Standardized Training User Guide