Do You Need a CNA Certification for IHSS in Colorado?
CNA Certification Is Not Required for IHSS in Colorado
If you’re a Colorado resident exploring ways to become a paid caregiver for a loved one, you’ve likely heard of IHSS (In-Home Support Services) and Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) programs. Here’s the good news: you do not need CNA certification to become an IHSS caregiver in Colorado.
Family and Friends Can Provide Care Without CNA Training
Thanks to Colorado’s Medicaid options, family members can get paid as caregivers without CNA training or licensure. Under the IHSS model, spouses, parents, siblings, and friends over 18 can provide personal care, homemaker services, and even certain health maintenance tasks—all without becoming a certified CNA.
This flexibility has been expanded under Community First Choice (CFC), launched on July 1, 2025, which allows self-directed care under Health First Colorado (the state’s Medicaid plan). Unlike the Family CNA program, IHSS removes certification barriers, offering families a faster and more accessible way to support their loved ones.
Why Choosing IHSS Rather Than CNA Certification Might Be Better for Some Families
For many families, pursuing CNA certification can delay care and create unnecessary obstacles. IHSS offers a flexible, family-focused alternative that removes those barriers—while still ensuring the person receiving care gets the support they need.
Faster Start
CNA programs can take weeks or months due to school and testing, and families who need care immediately often can’t wait that long. IHSS allows caregivers to begin sooner.
Continuity of Care
With fewer restrictions, more family members or friends can qualify as caregivers. This means your loved one can have consistent and familiar care, even if one caregiver is unavailable.For many families, pursuing CNA certification can delay care and create unnecessary obstacles. IHSS offers a flexible, family-focused alternative that removes those barriers—while still ensuring the person receiving care gets the support they need.
Allows for More Care
While CNAs are limited to tasks within their licensed scope, IHSS caregivers can provide a wider range of services, including personal care, health maintenance, and homemaking— without being constrained by state licensure rules.
Language Barrier
Spanish-language CNA courses are limited, as are the opportunities to take the certification exam in Spanish. Under IHSS, that certification is no longer required. This opens the door for non-native English speaking families, who often provide care already, to be trained in their preferred language and get paid for the work without the requirement of obtaining a CNA certification.
Lower Stress
Preparing for CNA exams can be stressful—especially for someone already caring for a loved one. IHSS allows families to skip the formal testing and focus on what matters most: their loved one’s care.
IHSS Training Made Simple with Entrust Health
While IHSS doesn’t require formal CNA certification, it still ensures quality care through agency-led training and oversight. Entrust Health makes the process simple, supportive, and family-friendly—every step of the way.
Tailored Training & Oversight
You’ll receive hands-on training and oversight from Registered Nurses who specialize in home care. It’s part of Entrust Health’s offerings and tailored to your family’s needs.
Expert Onboarding
No need for CNA classes or exams—Entrust Health handles everything, including your IHSS onboarding, caregiver assessments, and care planning.
Ongoing Support
From documentation to Medicaid approvals and understanding what care you can provide, Entrust walks you through every step, so you’re never alone in the process.
When Might CNA Certification Still Be Useful?
There are still situations where CNA certification might make sense—especially if your caregiving plans go beyond IHSS.
Career in Healthcare
If you plan to work professionally in hospitals, assisted living, or nursing homes, CNA certification is essential and may lead to broader career opportunities.
FAQs About CNA Certification and IHSS
No. Under the IHSS program, you can become a paid caregiver without CNA certification.
Because IHSS is designed to support family caregiving under Medicaid, it uses a skills-based training model overseen by nurses, not a formal licensure process.
CNAs must be certified and follow strict nursing scope rules. IHSS caregivers are trained by an agency and can provide a broader range of home care tasks under nurse oversight.
Not exactly—but they get targeted training that’s directly relevant to the person they’re caring for, without unnecessary classroom hours.
It depends. IHSS covers many health maintenance tasks, but if you want deeper medical training or a healthcare career, a CNA certification might be worth considering.