Wisconsin · home health aide (HHA)

Home Health Aide Training in Wisconsin

How to become a home health aide in Wisconsin: the routes that qualify you, who regulates home health agencies in Wisconsin, pay, free training options, and all 195 state-approved CNA programs, since a CNA certification also qualifies you as a home health aide.

A home health aide caring for a client at home in Wisconsin
$17.47median hourly pay for Wisconsin home health and personal care aides
75 hrsminimum home health aide training under federal rules
195state-approved CNA programs listed below
82,430home health and personal care aides working in Wisconsin

Your route

Two ways to qualify as a home health aide in Wisconsin

Home health agencies in Wisconsin are licensed by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Medicare and Medicaid agencies must use aides who completed one of the federally approved routes. These are the two most common.

Fastest route

Become a CNA first

CNA

  • Finish a state-approved CNA program (listed below) and pass the state exam.
  • Under federal rules, a CNA in good standing on the state registry qualifies as a home health aide for Medicare and Medicaid agencies.
  • It also lets you work in nursing homes, where Wisconsin CNAs earn a median $21.70 an hour.

Agency route

Home health aide training

75 hrs

  • At least 75 hours, including 16 hours of supervised hands-on practice.
  • Often run by home health agencies, which may train you if they hire you.
  • Then pass a competency evaluation given by a registered nurse.

Why we list CNA programs: under federal rules, a state-approved CNA program plus good standing on the Wisconsin nurse aide registry qualifies you as a home health aide. It’s the route that opens the most doors. See our Wisconsin CNA guide.

The steps

How to become a home health aide in Wisconsin

The general path for most new aides.

  1. Pick your routeCNA training if you want the most options, or a home health aide course through an agency.
  2. Complete the trainingAt least 75 hours with 16 hands-on, or your state’s CNA hours.
  3. Pass the evaluationA competency evaluation for aides, or the state CNA exam.
  4. Apply to agenciesAgencies check your training and, for CNAs, the state registry before you start.

Keep your hours up. Federal rules require at least 12 hours of in-service training a year, and if you go 24 months in a row without paid aide work, you must retrain.

Home health aide vs. CNA

Home health aide or CNA in Wisconsin?

The two jobs overlap, but the settings and pay differ.

Home health aideCNA
Where you workClients’ homes, through home health and hospice agenciesNursing homes and hospitals
Training75 hours federal minimum, or a CNA certificationState-approved CNA program
Official recordYour agency’s training and competency recordsThe Wisconsin nurse aide registry
Median pay (WI)$17.47 an hour*$21.70 an hour

*Federal pay data groups home health aides with personal care aides. About 82,430 of them work in Wisconsin.

Help paying

Free and funded training in Wisconsin

Ways to cover the cost of training.

Get hired first

Many home health agencies train aides they hire, and nursing homes that hire you can’t charge you for CNA training under federal rules.

Grants and Job Corps

  • Job Centers of Wisconsin (WIOA): Local job centers can fund training at approved schools for eligible unemployed or low-income residents. Website

Directory

State-approved CNA programs in Wisconsin

All 195 programs from our Wisconsin CNA guide. Finishing one, passing the exam, and staying in good standing on the state registry also qualifies you as a home health aide for Medicare and Medicaid agencies.

195 programs
ProgramCityCountyPhone
Advantage Home HealthMilwaukeeMilwaukee(414) 299-0072
AdventHealth DurandDurandPepin(715) 672-4211
Advocate Aurora Healthcare MilwaukeeMilwaukeeMilwaukee(414) 649-1270
Agrace (Quality CNA Training)FitchburgDane(715) 902-1746
Alliance Specialty Healthcare Services LLCMilwaukeeMilwaukee(800) 387-5520
American Lutheran HomeMondoviBuffalo(715) 858-1839
Aspirus Divine Savior Hospital (Madison College)PortageColumbia(608) 616-1058
Aspirus Divine Savior Nursing Home (Neway Directions)PortageColumbia(608) 221-1920
Augusta Care & RehabAugustaEau Claire(715) 286-2266
Aurora Medical CenterSummitWaukesha(262) 434-1166
Bellin CollegeGreen BayBrown(920) 433-6699
Bethel HomeOshkoshWinnebago(920) 235-3454
Better Days AheadMilwaukeeMilwaukee(414) 391-1842
Blackhawk Technical College – Central CampusJanesvilleRock(608) 757-7750
Blackhawk Technical College – MonroeMonroeGreen(608) 757-7750
Boys and Girls Club Ready Center (Herzing University)MilwaukeeMilwaukee(414) 699-7410
Bryant & Stratton CollegeWauwatosaMilwaukee(414) 251-4373
Burnett Medical Center-Continuing Care CenterGrantsburgBurnett(715) 463-7278
Care and Rehab LadysmithLadysmithRusk(715) 532-5546
Career Tek (Blackhawk Tech)BeloitRock(608) 757-7678
Carthage CollegeKenoshaKenoshaCall the program
Center for Healthcare Education & SimulationMadisonDane(608) 227-2292
Central Wisconsin CenterMadisonDane(608) 301-1991
Chippewa Valley Technical CollegeChippewa FallsChippewa(800) 511-9095
Chippewa Valley Technical College – Eau ClaireEau ClaireEau Claire(715) 858-1839
Chippewa Valley Technical College – MenomonieMenomonieDunn(715) 232-2685
Chippewa Valley Technical College – River FallsRiver FallsPierce(715) 425-3301
Christian Community Home of HudsonHudsonSt. Croix(715) 386-9303
Clark County Health Care CenterOwenClark(715) 858-1839
Clearview Long Term Care And RehabJuneauDodge(920) 386-3410
Clement Manor (Milwaukee Catholic Home)GreenfieldMilwaukee(414) 546-7386
Columbia Health Care CenterWyocenaColumbia(608) 429-2181
Deerfield Gables Care Center (Northwood Tech)New RichmondSt. Croix(715) 246-1857
Divine Rehab & Nursing (Northwood Tech)Saint Croix FallsPolk(715) 246-1857
Door County Medical CenterSturgeon BayDoor(920) 746-3563
Dove Healthcare – OsseoOsseoTrempealeau(715) 597-2493
Evergreen Retirement Community, IncOshkoshWinnebago(920) 237-2134
Fatou Ceesay Cairasu Care InstituteMadisonDane(608) 622-7015
Fondy CentralFond du LacFond du Lac(715) 902-1746
Forest Park VillageWausauMarathon(715) 803-1338
Fox Valley Technical CollegeAppletonOutagamie(920) 735-5774
Fox Valley Technical CollegeChiltonCalumet(920) 849-4416
Fox Valley Technical CollegeClintonvilleWaupaca(715) 823-1555
Fox Valley Technical CollegeOshkoshWinnebago(920) 236-6101
Fox Valley Technical CollegeWaupacaWaupaca(715) 942-1700
Fox Valley Technical CollegeWautomaWaushara(920) 787-3319
Frederic Nursing and Rehab CommunityFredericPolk(715) 327-4297
Froedtert Hospital KenoshaKenoshaKenosha(262) 564-2757
Gateway Technical CollegeElkhornWalworth(262) 564-2374
Gateway Technical CollegeKenoshaKenosha(262) 564-2374
Gateway Technical CollegeRacineRacine(262) 564-2374
Grace Lutheran FoundationAltoonaEau Claire(715) 864-2491
Grancare Nursing CenterGreen BayBrown(920) 494-4525
Grand View Care CenterBlairTrempealeau(608) 989-2511
Greenway ManorSpring GreenSauk(608) 588-2586
Healthcare Workforce Training InstituteBloomerChippewa(715) 568-9770
Healthcare Workforce Training InstituteChippewa FallsChippewa(715) 723-9341
Healthcare Workforce Training InstituteEau ClaireEau Claire(715) 552-1030
Healthcare Workforce Training InstituteRice LakeBarron(715) 234-2604
Herzing University (Quality CNA Training)MadisonDane(715) 902-1746
Hillside ManorBeaver DamDodge(920) 887-5901
Holton ManorElkhornWalworth(715) 252-8321
Home Again Assisted Living (Quality CNA Training)WaunakeeDane(715) 902-1746
Home Instead Senior Care Milwaukee (J Johnson Ed Ctr)MilwaukeeMilwaukee(414) 438-9390
HSHS St Mary's Hospital Medical CenterGreen BayBrown(920) 498-4200
Illuminus Institute Nurse Aide Training ProgramWatertownDodge(920) 253-1607
Ingleside Manor / WI /IL Senior HousingMount HorebDane(608) 437-5511
Ironworks Campus @ Beloit Regional HospiceBeloitRock(262) 949-7446
J Johnson Educator Center LTDMilwaukeeMilwaukee(414) 438-9390
James O. Wright Goodwill Workforce Connection (Herzing)MilwaukeeMilwaukee(414) 699-7410
JNMJ LLCPewaukeeWaukesha(616) 826-6645
Jones Professional Health ServicesMilwaukeeMilwaukee(414) 226-5991
Lake Country Health Services (Quality CNA Training)OconomowocWaukesha(715) 902-1746
Lake Manor (Northwood Tech)LadysmithRusk(715) 246-1857
Lakeland Healthcare CenterElkhornWalworth(262) 894-6366
Lakeshore Technical CollegeClevelandManitowoc(920) 693-1840
Life Got Better Vocational TrainingMilwaukeeMilwaukee(414) 202-5281
Madison College (Fort Atkinson Campus)Fort AtkinsonJefferson(920) 568-7200
Madison College (Goodman South Campus)MadisonDane(608) 616-1058
Madison College (Portage Campus)PortageColumbia(608) 745-3100
Madison College (Reedsburg Campus)ReedsburgSauk(608) 616-1058
Madison College (Truax Campus)MadisonDane(608) 616-1058
Madison College (Watertown Campus)WatertownDodge(608) 616-1058
Madison College Community ClinicMadisonDane(608) 616-1058
Manitowoc Health and RehabManitowocManitowoc(920) 693-1840
Markesan Resident HomeMarkesanGreen Lake(920) 398-2751
Marshfield Medical CenterBeaver DamDodge(920) 887-5987
Mary Crest Assisted Living (Western TC)SpartaMonroe(608) 785-9200
Maryhill Manor, IncNiagaraMarinette(715) 251-1493
Mendota Mental Health InstituteMadisonDaneCall the program
Mercyhealth Hospital and Trauma CenterJanesvilleRock(815) 353-4747
Mid-State Technical CollegeAdamsAdams(715) 422-5423
Mid-State Technical CollegeMarshfieldWood(715) 422-5423
Mid-State Technical CollegeStevens PointPortage(715) 422-5423
Mid-State Technical CollegeWisconsin RapidsWood(715) 422-5423
Milwaukee Area Technical CollegeMequonOzaukee(414) 571-4558
Milwaukee Area Technical CollegeMilwaukeeMilwaukee(414) 571-4558
Milwaukee Area Technical CollegeOak CreekMilwaukee(414) 571-4558
Milwaukee Area Technical CollegeWest AllisMilwaukee(414) 571-4558
Milwaukee Catholic Home Management Services LLCMilwaukeeMilwaukee(414) 224-9700
Milwaukee Job Corps (J Johnson Education Center)MilwaukeeMilwaukee(414) 438-9390
Moraine Park Technical CollegeWest BendWashington(262) 335-5709
Moraine Park Technical CollegeBeaver DamDodge(262) 335-5709
Moraine Park Technical CollegeFond du LacFond du Lac(262) 335-5709
Morrow Memorial HomeSpartaMonroe(608) 269-3168
Mount Mary University (Milwaukee Catholic Home)MilwaukeeMilwaukee(414) 224-9700
New Care, Inc.CrivitzMarinette(715) 854-2717
New Glarus Home (Quality CNA Training)New GlarusGreen(715) 902-1746
Neway DirectionsMadisonDane(608) 221-1920
Nicolet CollegeRhinelanderOneida(715) 365-4910
Northcentral Technical CollegeAntigoLanglade(715) 803-1338
Northcentral Technical CollegeMedfordTaylor(715) 803-1338
Northcentral Technical CollegeSpencerMarathon(715) 803-1338
Northcentral Technical CollegePhillipsPrice(715) 803-1338
Northcentral Technical College (Health Science Center)WausauMarathon(715) 803-1338
Northeast Technical CollegeGreen BayBrown(920) 498-7141
Northeast Technical College – LuxemburgLuxemburgKewaunee(920) 498-7141
Northeast Technical College – MarinetteMarinetteMarinette(920) 498-7141
Northeast Technical College – NiagaraNiagaraFlorence(920) 498-7141
Northeast Technical College – Oconto FallsOconto FallsOconto(920) 498-7141
Northeast Technical College – ShawanoShawanoShawano(920) 498-7141
Northeast Technical College – Sturgeon BaySturgeon BayDoor(920) 498-7141
Northern Wisconsin CenterChippewa FallsChippewa(715) 723-5542
Northwood Tech Health Education CenterShell LakeWashburn(715) 246-1857
Northwood Technical College – AshlandAshlandAshland(715) 246-1857
Northwood Technical College – HaywardHaywardSawyer(715) 246-1857
Northwood Technical College – New RichmondNew RichmondSt. Croix(715) 246-1857
Northwood Technical College – Rice Lake (Northwood Tech)Rice LakeBarron(715) 246-1857
Northwood Technical College – SuperiorSuperiorDouglas(715) 246-1857
Northwoods Regional Tech AcademyWausaukeeMarinette(920) 498-7141
Norton Transitional LearningMount PleasantRacine(414) 534-6590
Ovation Jewish HomeMilwaukeeMilwaukee(414) 227-8876
Park ManorPark FallsPrice(715) 762-2449
Park View Health CenterOshkoshWinnebago(920) 237-6952
Park View HomeWoodvilleSt. Croix(715) 698-2451
Pine Crest Nursing HomeMerrillLincoln(715) 803-1338
Pine Haven Christian HomeSheboygan FallsSheboygan(920) 693-1840
Plum City Care CenterPlum CityPierce(715) 647-2401
Portage Enterprise Center (Madison College)PortageColumbia(608) 616-1058
Prestige Healthcare AcademyGreenfieldMilwaukee(414) 282-8698
ProHealth CareWaukeshaWaukesha(262) 521-7756
Quality CNA TrainingNew GlarusGreen(715) 281-5064
Quality CNA TrainingLa CrosseLa Crosse(920) 446-2334
Quality Healthcare OptionsWauwatosaMilwaukee(414) 475-7337
Randolph Health ServicesRandolphDodge(920) 326-3171
Reedsburg Area Medical CenterReedsburgSauk(608) 524-6487
Rennes Health and Rehab Center AppletonAppletonOutagamie(715) 582-2205
Rennes Health and Rehab Center De PereDe PereBrown(715) 582-2205
Rennes Health and Rehab Center Peshtigo EastPeshtigoMarinette(715) 582-2205
Rennes Health and Rehab Center Peshtigo WestPeshtigoMarinette(920) 498-7141
Rennes Health and Rehab Center RhinelanderRhinelanderOneida(715) 582-2205
Rocky Knoll Health Care CenterPlymouthSheboygan(920) 893-1840
Sauk Prairie Healthcare Memorial HospitalPrairie du SacSauk(608) 217-3121
Schmitt Woodland Hills, IncRichland CenterRichland(608) 847-8931
Sensible Solutions Care Clinic (Northwood Tech)BarronBarron(715) 246-1857
Shady Lane Assisted Living and Rehab (Quality CNA)ManitowocManitowoc(715) 902-1746
Sheboygan Progressive Health Services (Quality CNA Training)SheboyganSheboygan(715) 902-1746
Sheboygan Senior CenterSheboyganSheboygan(920) 693-1840
Shelby Terrace (Quality CNA Training)La CrosseLa Crosse(715) 902-1746
Shorehaven Senior LivingOconomowocWaukesha(262) 695-6596
Skaalen Nursing and RehabilitationStoughtonDane(608) 873-5651
Southern Wisconsin CenterUnion GroveRacine(262) 878-6604
Southwest Technical CollegeFennimoreGrant(608) 822-2667
St Agnes HospitalFond du LacFond du Lac(920) 926-4784
St Croix Health Care CenterNew RichmondSt. Croix(715) 246-8229
St Mary's at Felician VillageManitowocManitowoc(920) 684-7171
St. Camillus Health System, Inc.WauwatosaMilwaukee(414) 258-1814
St. Joseph Residence (Quality CNA Training)New LondonWaupaca(715) 902-1746
St. Paul Elder Services (Quality CNA Training)KaukaunaOutagamie(715) 902-1746
Standards of Excellence Education and Training Center, LLCMilwaukeeMilwaukee(414) 290-7597
The Classics at Hillcrest GreensAltoonaEau Claire(715) 864-1033
The Lutheran HomeWauwatosaMilwaukee(414) 258-6171
The Mindful Way Medical Training (Quality CNA Training)MilwaukeeMilwaukee(715) 902-1746
ThedaCare Medical Center-ShawanoShawanoShawano(920) 498-7141
Trempealeau County Health CareWhitehallTrempealeau(715) 538-4312
UW Health/UWHCAMadisonDane(608) 444-6022
Villa Maria Health & Rehab CenterHurleyIron(715) 561-3200
Village Family Dental (Madison College)Prairie du SacSauk(608) 616-1058
Water's EdgeHaywardSawyer(715) 934-4313
Waukesha County Technical CollegePewaukeeWaukesha(262) 695-6596
Waukesha County Technical CollegeWaukeshaWaukesha(262) 695-6596
Wausau Manor Health ServicesWausauMarathon(715) 842-0575
Western Technical CollegeMaustonJuneau(608) 785-9200
Western Technical CollegeBlack River FallsJackson(608) 785-9200
Western Technical CollegeLa CrosseLa Crosse(608) 785-9200
Western Technical CollegeTomahMonroe(608) 785-9200
Western Technical CollegeViroquaVernon(608) 785-9200
Western Technical College – Health Science CenterLa CrosseLa Crosse(608) 775-4329
WI Veterans Home at Chippewa FallsChippewa FallsChippewa(715) 720-6775
Willowcrest Health Care Center (Quality CNA Training)South MilwaukeeMilwaukee(715) 902-1746
Winnebago Mental Health InstituteWinnebagoWinnebago(920) 235-4910
Wisconsin Masonic HomesDousmanWaukesha(262) 965-7223
Wisconsin Rapids Health ServicesWisconsin RapidsWood(715) 902-1746
Wisconsin Veterans HomeKingWaupaca(715) 256-5054
Woodside Lutheran HomeGreen BayBrown(920) 498-7141

Tip: ask each program whether it also offers a home health aide add-on. For details, costs, and exam steps, see our Wisconsin CNA guide.

Wisconsin CNA trainingSteps, costs, and every approved program CNA classes near meSearch programs by ZIP code Caregiver pay by stateCNA and aide pay compared

FAQ

Wisconsin home health aide questions

Short answers to what people ask most.

Does Wisconsin certify home health aides?

Home health aides in Wisconsin work for home health agencies licensed by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Medicare and Medicaid agencies must hire aides who meet the federal training and competency rules. Ask the agency you're applying to which credential it requires.

How do I become a home health aide in Wisconsin?

The two most common routes are completing a 75-hour home health aide training and competency evaluation, or becoming a CNA. Federal rules count a CNA in good standing on the Wisconsin nurse aide registry as a qualified home health aide.

How much do home health aides make in Wisconsin?

The median pay for home health and personal care aides in Wisconsin is $17.47 an hour, about $36,340 a year, based on the May 2025 federal wage survey. Wisconsin CNAs earn a median $21.70 an hour.

Can a CNA work as a home health aide?

Yes, for Medicare and Medicaid home health agencies, if the CNA completed a state-approved program and is listed in good standing on the state nurse aide registry.

Do home health aides need yearly training?

Yes. Federal rules require at least 12 hours of in-service training every 12 months for aides at Medicare and Medicaid agencies.

Sources: Wisconsin Department of Health Services; our Wisconsin CNA guide (state-approved program list); 42 CFR 484.80, Home health aide services; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Last checked October 2026. See something out of date? Report a correction.