How to Become a Licensed Caregiver in AZ (Step-by-Step)

🎯 Introduction

Starting a career in caregiving can be one of the most rewarding moves you make—especially in Arizona, where the demand for compassionate, trained professionals continues to rise. But before you can begin working legally in assisted living homes or memory care facilities, you need to complete the AZ caregiver certification process and earn your license.

While it may sound complex at first, Arizona has made the pathway to becoming a certified caregiver clear and manageable. With the right training program and a proactive approach, you can become licensed in a matter of weeks.

This article lays out the exact steps to follow—from choosing the right caregiver training course to receiving your official certified caregiver license. Whether you’re just exploring this career or ready to begin, this guide will help you move forward confidently.

📚 What Does AZ Caregiver Certification Involve?

The state of Arizona requires anyone working in a licensed assisted living environment to earn both certification and licensure. While often used interchangeably, these terms refer to two connected—but separate—steps:

• Caregiver certification = completion of training and passing the competency exam

• Caregiver license = final approval by the Arizona NCIA Board, allowing you to work legally

To receive both, you must: 1. Complete 62 hours of state-approved training

Pass the caregiver certification test
Get CPR and First Aid certification
Pass a fingerprint-based background check
Submit all documents for final approval by the NCIA Board

Once completed, you’ll receive your license, which employers will verify before hiring you.

🛠️ Step 1: Enroll in a State-Approved Training Program

The first step toward your AZ caregiver certification is enrolling in a caregiver training program approved by the Arizona Board of Examiners of Nursing Care Institution Administrators and Assisted Living Facility Managers (NCIA Board). Arizona mandates that all certified caregivers complete 62 hours of training covering topics like: - Resident rights and elder abuse

Activities of daily living (ADLs)
Infection control and hygiene
Nutrition and hydration
Emergency procedures and fire safety
Documentation and charting
Communication and end-of-life care

You can take this training in person, online, or as a hybrid. Online programs often offer faster timelines and flexibility for students with jobs or family responsibilities.

Be sure to choose a provider listed on the NCIA Board’s official registry. Unapproved training won’t count toward certification.

📖 Step 2: Complete the Training and Take the Caregiver Certification Exam

Once you finish the 62-hour course, you’ll be eligible to take the Arizona caregiver certification test—a standardized multiple-choice exam designed to assess your understanding of the curriculum.

Tips to prepare:

Start reviewing your notes and textbooks midway through your training
Take practice exams regularly
Focus on weaker subjects like medication rules or emergency responses
Understand why each answer is correct, not just what the correct answer is

The exam is usually 100–150 questions and must be proctored by your training provider or a certified testing site.

Upon passing, you’ll receive an official test result certificate—required for your license application.

🧠 Step 3: Get Your CPR and First Aid Certification

You must also complete CPR and First Aid training from a nationally recognized provider like the Red Cross or American Heart Association. This can usually be done in one day and may be bundled into your caregiver course.

Be sure that:

Your CPR card is current (valid for at least one year)
The training covers both CPR and First Aid—not just one
You receive official proof of completion to include in your application packet

Some employers won’t accept applicants without a current CPR card—even if you're otherwise certified.

📝 Step 4: Apply for a Fingerprint Clearance Card

Arizona requires a fingerprint clearance card for all direct care workers. It’s a background check conducted by the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) and can take anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks.

Here’s how to apply:

Fill out the fingerprint application on the AZDPS website
Schedule a fingerprinting appointment at a local facility
Pay the processing fee (usually around $67)
Submit your fingerprints and await clearance

It’s strongly recommended that you apply for your fingerprint card as soon as you begin training, since delays in this step are common.

🏆 Step 5: Submit Your Caregiver License Application

Once you’ve completed training, passed the exam, earned your CPR certification, and received your fingerprint clearance, you're ready to submit your certified caregiver license application to the NCIA Board.

You’ll need to include:

Training completion certificate
Exam results
CPR/First Aid certification
Fingerprint clearance card
Government-issued ID
Application form and licensing fee (approx. $50)

Some caregiver training programs will submit this on your behalf. If not, you can submit it yourself by mail or through the NCIA Board’s official channels.

The Board typically processes applications within 1–3 weeks. Once approved, you’ll receive your official Arizona caregiver license by mail or email.

📘 Step 6: Start Applying for Jobs

Once licensed, you can apply to any facility requiring certified caregivers—including:

Assisted living centers
Group homes
Memory care units
Hospice agencies
In-home caregiving companies (if state-regulated)

Most employers will ask for:

A copy of your caregiver license
CPR card
Fingerprint clearance card
Resume or application with previous work or caregiving experience

Certified caregivers in Arizona typically start at $16–$20 per hour, with higher pay for overnight, weekend, or memory care positions. Some jobs offer benefits like PTO, health insurance, bonuses, and tuition reimbursement for additional certifications.

🧮 How Long Does It Take to Become Licensed?

If you’re organized and proactive, you can become a licensed caregiver in as little as 4–6 weeks. Here’s an ideal timeline:

Week 1: Enroll in training and apply for your fingerprint clearance card
Weeks 2–3: Complete training and CPR/First Aid
Week 4: Take and pass the exam
Week 5: Submit your full application
Week 6: Receive license approval and begin applying for jobs

If you delay your fingerprint clearance, the process could take 8–10 weeks or more.

🚀 Conclusion

Becoming a licensed caregiver in Arizona is one of the fastest, most affordable paths to a stable and meaningful healthcare career. With just a few weeks of focused effort, you can complete your AZ caregiver certification, get licensed, and start working in assisted living facilities across the state.

Whether you’re starting fresh or looking for a career change, this step-by-step path provides a clear roadmap to success. Choose the right training provider, stay on top of your paperwork, and you’ll be licensed and job-ready in no time.

👉 Ready to get started? Begin your caregiver training and certification today at https://azcertifiedcaregiver.examzify.com and take your first step toward becoming a licensed caregiver in Arizona.