Minnesota · personal care aide (PCA)
Minnesota is replacing its Personal Care Assistance (PCA) program with a new program called Community First Services and Supports (CFSS). Either way, workers take a free online state training and pass a test before they can enroll. Minnesota also lets spouses and parents of minor children be paid, with hour limits.
At a glance
What the state asks of PCAs who work for licensed agencies or Medicaid programs.
| Job titles | Support worker (CFSS), Personal Care Assistant (PCA), direct support worker |
| Training | Free online Department of Human Services (DHS) training on first aid basics, abuse reporting, infection control, emergency preparedness, fraud, and other topics. No fixed hour count. |
| Exam | DHS PCA/CFSS certification test, which you must pass before enrolling |
| Certification | DHS training certificate with no end date, then enrollment with DHS as a PCA or CFSS support worker |
| Background check | DHS background study before you provide services |
| Yearly training | Not confirmed in state sources; ask the agency |
| Minimum age | 18 for PCAs, or 16 and 17 with extra supervision. A minimum age for CFSS support workers was not confirmed in state sources; ask the agency. |
| Agency licensing | Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) home care license. PCA agencies are exempt and enroll with DHS instead. |
Training
Whether you are called a PCA or a CFSS support worker, you take the same standardized DHS training. It covers first aid basics, how to report abuse or neglect of vulnerable adults and children, infection control, emergency preparedness, and fraud. It is free and online, you must pass the certification test before you can enroll, and the certificate does not expire.
What is changing: CFSS began rolling out statewide in October 2024 and is replacing the PCA and PCA Choice programs. People move from PCA to CFSS at their next reassessment, so for now both programs are running. The final end date for PCA was not confirmed.
The steps
The usual path for a new aide.
Family caregivers
Yes. Under CFSS, a participant can hire you through the Budget Model, which uses a financial management services provider, or through an agency.
Minnesota allows spouses and parents, stepparents, or legal guardians of minor children to be paid CFSS support workers, with limits. A spouse can work up to 60 hours a week. One parent can work up to 60 hours a week, or up to 40 hours each when there are multiple parents.
Read our full guide: how to get paid to care for a family member.
Compare
All three help people with daily care. Training, tasks, and pay differ.
| Personal care aide | Home health aide | CNA | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Training | Free online course and state test | 75 hours federal minimum, including 16 hands-on | State-approved program, 75 hours or more |
| Medical tasks | Mostly not. Help with daily living, like bathing, dressing, meals, and housework | Some, like vital signs, under nurse supervision | Yes, under nurse supervision |
| Where you work | Clients' homes, group homes, assisted living | Clients' homes, through home health agencies | Nursing homes and hospitals |
| Median pay (MN) | $18.45 an hour* | $18.45 an hour* | $22.44 an hour |
*Federal pay data groups personal care aides with home health aides. Many PCAs later become CNAs, which opens more jobs and higher pay.
FAQ
Short answers to what people ask most.
Yes. You must complete the free DHS training, pass the certification test, pass a background study, and enroll with DHS before you can work as a PCA or CFSS support worker.
CFSS is the program replacing PCA. It started statewide in October 2024, and people move over at their reassessment. Workers take the same DHS training and test either way. CFSS has an agency model and a Budget Model where participants employ workers directly.
Yes. Under CFSS, a parent, stepparent, or legal guardian of a minor can be a paid support worker. One parent can work up to 60 hours a week, or up to 40 hours each when there are multiple parents.
Yes. Under CFSS, a spouse can be a paid support worker for up to 60 hours a week.
Home health and personal care aides in Minnesota earn a median of $18.45 an hour, based on the May 2025 federal wage survey.