Key Takeaways
· ACD is no longer an active route to PCAcertification in New York.
· People who were in an ACD class on July 16, 2026must complete the full 40-hour PCA basic training course.
· Use a program approved by the New York StateDepartment of Health (NYSDOH) or State Education Department.
· HHA training is a different career path with atleast 75 hours of core training; it is not simply a new name for ACD.
· Confirm the program, location, language, feesand class dates directly before you enroll.
If you searched for an ACD class in NYC, you may still findpages, directories or advertisements that describe the old process. Someofficial pages and program lists may also take time to remove older ACDwording. The date of the newest rule matters more than the age of the page youfound.
Are ACD classes still available in NYC?
No. NYSDOH discontinued ACD as a pathway to PCAcertification effective July 16, 2026. A training provider should not enroll anew candidate in an ACD course or tell a candidate that prior experience alonecan replace the required PCA basic training.
Current rule: A new PCA candidate must complete an approved PCA Basic Training Program. The minimum basic training time is 40 hours, not including required testing.
What ACD used to be
ACD stood for Alternative Competency Demonstration. It wasdesigned for selected candidates who had related training or hands-onexperience. Instead of repeating every part of basic PCA training, an eligibleperson could show knowledge and skills through an approved process.
ACD was not a general shortcut for anyone who wanted a fastPCA certificate. A training program had to review the candidate's backgroundand document competency. NYSDOH ended the option after identifying compliancerisks for programs, candidates and patients.
What changed on July 16, 2026
The Dear Administrator Letter also says that anyone enrolledin an ACD class on the effective date must complete the 40-hour basic trainingclass. A person should not assume that hours, experience or testing completedunder the old ACD process will automatically produce a certificate.
What should PCA candidates do instead?
Option 1: Complete full PCA Basic Training
This is the direct route for a person seeking a new PCAcertificate. Choose a Personal Care Aide Training Program (PCATP) approved byNYSDOH or the New York State Education Department. The course covers the HomeCare Curriculum, skills training and competency evaluation.
NYSDOH-approved PCA training programs may not chargecandidates tuition or fees for the training, textbooks, materials or supplies.A NYSED-approved school may follow a different fee structure, so ask whichagency approves the program before you pay.
What to expect in the 40-hour basic course
PCA basic training is more than sitting in a classroom. TheHome Care Curriculum covers the worker's role, communication, personal care,safety, the home environment, infection control, emergency awareness, observingchanges and reporting. The program also checks whether the candidate can carryout required tasks safely. Testing and breaks do not count toward the 40training hours, so the advertised calendar may be longer than the hour total.
Option 2: Consider HHA training if it fits your job goal
A Home Health Aide (HHA) has a different certificate andtraining path. New York HHA core training includes at least 75 hours. Itprepares a worker for personal care and selected health-related tasks that aretaught, assigned and supervised under the care plan.
Choose HHA training because the HHA role fits the work youwant - not because it sounds like a faster replacement for ACD. Ask theemployer which certificate is required for the available position.
How to check whether a training program is approved
1. Open the current NYSDOH list of approved PCA andHHA training programs.
2. Check the exact agency name, training address,approval type and language.
3. Call the program using a trusted phone number,not only the number in an advertisement.
4. Ask whether the program is approved by NYSDOH orNYSED and whether the site is currently active.
5. Confirm that the class is PCA Basic Training. Donot accept ACD wording for a class that begins after July 16, 2026.
6. Ask for the start date, daily schedule,attendance rule, testing process and certificate process in writing.
Do not rely on old ACD ads: The NYSDOH program list dated July 1, 2026 still used ACD wording because it was published before the July 16 policy change. Use the later Dear Administrator Letter as the current rule and confirm details directly.
Enrollment checklist
· Government-issued identification requested bythe program.
· Any documents the program needs to review yourtraining or work history.
· The exact class address and approval type.
· The total number of training hours and thetesting schedule.
· A written list of any costs and what they cover.
· Language support or accessibility needs.
· Transportation, childcare and work plans forevery class day.
· A clear contact person for missed classes orschedule changes.
Questions to ask a training provider
· Is this a full PCA Basic Training Program withat least 40 hours?
· Which state agency approves this program andthis training site?
· Is the program name and address on the currentapproved list?
· Are there any costs? If yes, what exactly am Ipaying for?
· What happens if I miss a class or do not passpart of the evaluation?
· When and how will my certificate and registryinformation be issued?
· Does finishing the class guarantee a job, or isemployment a separate decision?
Frequently asked questions
Are ACD classes still available in NYC?
No. NYSDOH ended ACD for PCA certification on July 16, 2026.A new candidate must complete approved PCA basic training.
What replaced ACD for PCA certification?
The required route is an approved PCA Basic Training Programwith at least 40 hours of training, followed by the program's testing andcompetency process.
How long is PCA Basic Training?
New York requires a minimum of 40 training hours. Testing isseparate, and the real calendar length depends on the provider's schedule andattendance rules.
Can prior experience shorten PCA training?
The discontinued ACD pathway cannot be used. Ask an approvedprogram to review any current pathway that may apply to your specificcredentials, but do not expect experience alone to waive the 40-hourrequirement.
Where can I find an approved program?
Use the NYSDOH list of approved PCA and HHA trainingprograms and confirm the current status directly with the program. If a schoolsays it is NYSED-approved, verify that approval with the State EducationDepartment.
Sources: NYSDOH DRS 26-02 / DHCBS 26-05; NYSDOH approved PCA and HHA training programs
Next steps with HumanCare Careers
HumanCare recruits Personal Care Aides, Home Health Aidesand other care professionals across New York. If you are starting a carecareer, use the HumanCare Careers form to share the role youwant, your current certificate status, preferred work area, schedule andlanguages.
Training and job availability can change. HumanCare shouldconfirm the current class or referral path before you make plans. Completingtraining does not guarantee employment.