Long-term care providers, unions and senior-living operators told the House Higher Education Committee on Feb. 18 that testing and certification delays are blocking qualified home care aides from entering the workforce. They urged passage of House Bill 1926, which would change the timeline and delivery method for home care aide (HCA) testing.

Nut graf: Testimony described multi-month waits for Prometric testing slots, sparse testing locations outside the I-5 corridor, and a backlog in Department of Health processing that leaves trained caregivers unable to get the required credential — a problem providers say worsens workforce shortages. HB 19 26 removes the statutory requirement that HCAs be certified within 200 calendar days of hire and directs the Department of Health (DOH), in consultation with the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), to adopt a timeline by rule and expand testing options at qualified training sites.

Elizabeth Allison, staff to the committee, briefed members on current requirements: 75 hours of training, a certification examination, state and federal background checks, and certification within 200 calendar days of hire. Allison summarized the bill’s changes: DOH to consult with DSHS on timeline by rule; testing may be conducted at local training or testing sites; DOH must annually evaluate exam results in all languages; testing should be available in qualified facility and community-based training programs by July 1, 2028, subject to appropriation; and testing must be conducted by contracted facility/community trainers or training partner affiliates where applicable.

Union and provider testimony described on-the-ground problems. Maddie Fouch of SEIU 775 said a single contractor—Prometric—serves much of the state and scheduling delays force some caregivers to quit before certification. Brad Banks of the Washington Home Care Coalition and Amy Thomas of the Adult Family Home Council described cases where caregivers waited months for testing appointments and where rural candidates face travel barriers. Allison Lally of Brookdale Senior Living described a Brookdale pilot that created five testing sites to test trainees who could not secure timely Prometric appointments; she said caregivers celebrated when they finally received certificates after the pilot tests.

Several witnesses noted the State Auditor’s 2022 performance audit documented testing and credentialing challenges. Supporters also referenced a section in the bill that had a $6.5 million appropriation; the bill’s sponsor said he was working on an amendment to remove that amount due to budget concerns.

Ending: Committee concluded public testimony on HB 19 26. No committee vote is recorded in the Feb. 18 transcript; staff announced amendment deadlines for bills moving quickly to the House floor.