The PCA program is for people enrolled in one of Minnesota’s Health Care Programs (MHCP) who need to support with daily activities in order to remain independent in the community. PCA workers support people as they carry out daily activities like dressing, grooming and eating. PCAs also accompany people into the community. For more information on Personal Care Assistance, see the Personal Care Assistance page on the DHS website.
DHS is in the process of replacing PCA with CFSS. CFSS is similar to PCA in many ways, but it will offer participants more control, flexibility, responsibility and choice in how they use the service. The eligibility for CFSS will be the same as the eligibility for PCA. Follow this link for further information regarding CFSS.
Submit a request using DHS’s certificate request form.
If you cannot find your certificate, try the following:
You need to take the PCA/CFSS support worker test.
Yes. If you have not already done so, visit Personal Care Assistance (PCA) and Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) Training and Tests, register for "PCA/CFSS support workers" and follow the directions in your email.
You will need to be hired by a PCA agency in order to provide and be paid for providing PCA services. If you haven't already been hired by a PCA agency, you can find a list of PCA agencies within Minnesota by:
Visit Personal Care Assistance (PCA) and Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) Training and Tests, register for "CFSS steps for success pre-training", and follow the directions in your email.
During the transition to Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) , PCA agencies will still need QPs who have met the training requirement. New QPs must take the PCA qualified professional training. After completing the training, register for and pass the test. Your certification email will contain instructions on your next steps.
Current agency owners, managers and QPs need to take to CFSS transition training for current PCA agencies in order to continue serving in a similar role in CFSS. After completing the training, register for and pass the test. Your certification email will contain instructions on your next steps.
After registering, you should receive an email with a link to the exam. Check your email, including your junk folder, for an email from dhs.dsd.learn@state.mn.us. If you do not have an email from that address, you may have entered your email address wrong. Make sure you have your correct email address and try registering again.