Education · 1 of 5

The path

Hired first, trained after. Most people are working a shift within a month of applying.

1. 1

   Be 18 with a high school diploma or equivalent

   Now

   A GED (General Educational Development credential, the high school equivalency) is accepted almost everywhere. Some agencies hire at 18 with no diploma at all.

2. 2

   Apply to a provider agency

   Days to weeks

   Nonprofits and disability service providers in nearly every county. They are hiring constantly.

3. 3

   Background check and driving record

   1 to 3 weeks

   Fingerprints, a criminal record check and an abuse registry check. A clean driving record matters because you transport clients.

4. 4

   Paid orientation and training

   1 to 4 weeks

   First aid, CPR, safe lifting, crisis prevention, rights and reporting rules, plus medication administration where your state allows it.

5. 5

   Shadow shifts, then your own

   2 to 6 weeks

   You work alongside experienced staff until you know the people you support and their plans.