Home Health Aide work in New York City means one of two very different employment setups: hired and supervised by a licensed agency, or hired directly by a family under CDPAP. Both need the same underlying skill set. The requirements, pay structure and day-to-day supervision are not the same.
What you need before you can start
- HHA certification — 75 hours of state-approved training (40 hours Home Care Curriculum, 35 hours Health Related Task Curriculum including 16 hours of supervised practical training). See our full guide to getting and keeping an HHA certificate for the exact breakdown and what keeps it valid.
- A physical and TB screening, required by agencies before placement.
- A background check, standard for anyone working in a client’s home.
- Proof you’re legally authorized to work in the U.S.
If you’re a Certified Nursing Assistant already on the New York State Nurse Aide Registry, you don’t repeat the content you’ve already covered — the training program only has to confirm and document the additional home-care-specific skills before issuing an HHA certificate.
Two routes into the work
| Agency employment | CDPAP (hired by a family) | |
|---|---|---|
| Who hires you | A licensed home care agency | The Medicaid consumer or their representative, directly |
| Certification needed | Yes — HHA or PCA | No formal certification required |
| Who supervises | The agency (nursing supervision required) | The consumer or representative |
| Who pays you | The agency, on payroll | The fiscal intermediary (PPL), on the consumer’s behalf |
| In-service training | 12 hours/year, agency-provided | Not required in the same way |
| Consistency of hours | Depends on agency’s caseload and scheduling | Depends entirely on one family’s authorized hours |
CDPAP pays well for family members who already provide unpaid care and qualify (spouses and a consumer’s own designated representative are excluded, and a parent can’t be paid to care for their own child under 21 — see our CDPAP eligibility guide for the full rules). It’s a harder route into paid caregiving as a career, though, since it depends on one specific family’s hours rather than an agency’s ongoing caseload.
What it pays
As of 1 January 2026, per the New York State Department of Labor, home care aide minimum wage is $19.65/hour in New York City, Long Island and Westchester, and $18.65/hour in the rest of the state. In NYC specifically, Medicaid-funded work also carries a wage parity requirement — total compensation (cash wage plus benefits) runs higher than the base rate. Overtime after 40 hours in a week is paid at 1.5×. Our full breakdown of 2026 home care wage rules covers the exact figures, live-in shift rules, and what counts toward wage parity.
Applying to an agency
- Have your HHA or PCA certificate ready, along with your Home Care Registry number if you were trained after September 2009.
- Expect a physical, TB test and background check as part of onboarding — budget a few days for results, not same-day placement.
- Ask about supervision and scheduling before accepting a role. An agency is required to provide 12 hours of in-service training per year and ongoing nursing supervision — how consistently that actually happens varies a lot between agencies, and it’s a fair question to ask directly in an interview.
- Confirm pay frequency and how live-in shifts are calculated if that’s the work you’re taking — the 13-hour live-in pay rule only applies when sleep and meal break conditions are actually met.
We’re hiring HHAs and PCAs for cases across Brooklyn and Queens — consistent hours, supervision that’s actually staffed, and weekly pay. See open roles and apply here, or call (718) 232-2777 if you’d rather talk it through first.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to start working as an HHA in NYC?
An HHA certificate from a state-approved 75-hour training program, a clean background check, a physical and TB screening, and proof of authorization to work in the U.S.
How much do HHAs get paid in NYC in 2026?
The minimum wage floor is $19.65/hour in NYC, Long Island and Westchester as of 1 January 2026. Medicaid-funded work in NYC also carries additional wage parity compensation on top of that base rate.
Can I work as a caregiver without HHA certification?
Yes, through CDPAP — a family hires you directly and no formal certification is required, though you can’t be the consumer’s spouse, their designated representative, or (if the consumer is under 21) their parent.
Is agency work or CDPAP better for steady income?
Agency work generally offers more consistent hours since it draws from a caseload of multiple clients. CDPAP pay depends on one family’s authorized hours, which can be less predictable.
Do I need to redo training if I’m already a CNA?
No — a Certified Nursing Assistant on the New York State registry doesn’t repeat content already covered. The HHA program confirms the remaining home-care-specific skills and issues the certificate.
How is overtime calculated for home health aides?
Any hours worked over 40 in a single week are paid at 1.5 times the regular hourly rate.
Wage figures and requirements change; the numbers above reflect rates effective 1 January 2026, checked against New York State Department of Labor guidance and health.ny.gov on 27 September 2026.
