How to Become a Caregiver in Tennessee (2026)

By Athena KanUpdated Jun 25, 2026

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If you're looking for a fast and meaningful way to enter Tennessee's healthcare field, becoming a professional caregiver is a direct path to a stable and rewarding job. The state's healthcare sector employs over 314,610 of these essential professionals, who earn a median salary of around $32,210 per year. This guide provides the definitive step-by-step process for navigating Tennessee's training requirements to launch your career helping others in your community.

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Key Points

What is a Caregiver? A caregiver is a professional who provides hands-on, non-medical assistance with daily living activities to clients who are elderly, ill, or disabled.
How to become a Caregiver in Tennessee? To become a caregiver in Tennessee, you must be at least 18, pass a criminal background check, and complete training. Training for non-medical roles is determined by the employing agency, while Home Health Aide (HHA) roles require a 75-hour federal training program.
Can family members get paid? Yes. Tennessee's Freedom for Family Caregiving Act allows provider agencies to hire and pay qualified family members under programs like TennCare CHOICES.
Average Caregiver salary in Tennessee: The median salary for Home Health and Personal Care Aides in Tennessee is approximately $32,210 per year.
Number of Caregivers in Tennessee: As of May 2024, there were approximately 65,000 Home Health and Personal Care Aides employed in Tennessee.

What is a Caregiver?

A caregiver, also known as a Personal Care Aide, is a dedicated professional who provides crucial non-medical support to individuals in need, allowing them to remain safely and comfortably in their own homes. They work with the elderly, people with disabilities, or those recovering from illness.

The duties of a caregiver are focused on helping clients with activities of daily living (ADLs). Common tasks include:

Assisting with personal care such as bathing, dressing, and grooming.
Providing help with mobility, including transferring and walking.
Preparing meals and assisting with feeding if necessary.
Performing light housekeeping tasks and running errands.
Offering companionship and engaging in conversation.
Reminding clients to take their medications.

How to Become a Paid Caregiver in Tennessee: A Step-by-Step Guide

This guide outlines the complete process for starting your career as a professional caregiver in Tennessee. The primary path involves meeting foundational requirements, completing the appropriate training for your desired role, and applying for jobs with licensed home care agencies.

Step 1: Confirm Your Role and Eligibility

First, decide which type of caregiver role you want to pursue, as training requirements differ. A non-medical Personal Care Aide focuses on companionship and daily living activities, while a Home Health Aide (HHA) or Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) has more advanced training. You must typically be at least 18 years old to be hired by an agency.

Step 2: Get the Right Training

While Tennessee does not have a single statewide training requirement for non-medical caregivers, professional agencies require it for employment. You have two main paths:

Personal Care Aide Training: Complete an agency-specific training program. The hours and curriculum are set by the employer. Many agencies provide this training to new hires.
Home Health Aide (HHA) Training: To work for a Medicare/Medicaid-certified agency, you must complete a 75-hour federal training program. This includes at least 16 hours of supervised practical training and opens up more job opportunities.

Step 3: Complete Health and Competency Checks

Agencies require health screenings to ensure client safety. This typically includes a tuberculosis (TB) test and proof of immunizations. While not always mandatory for non-medical roles, earning a CPR and First Aid certification makes you a much stronger candidate.

Step 4: Pass a Mandatory Background Check

Under Tennessee law, all applicants for direct-care jobs must undergo a criminal background check. This requires you to provide fingerprints for state (TBI) and federal (FBI) record checks, often processed through a service like IdentoGO.

Step 5: Apply to Licensed Home Care Agencies

With your training and documentation ready, start applying for jobs. Search for "Caregiver" or "Personal Care Aide" on job boards like MyNextMove.org. or apply directly to licensed home care agencies in your city. Ensure any agency you apply to is properly licensed by the state.

Step 6: Complete Onboarding and Start Work

Once you receive a conditional offer, you will complete the agency's orientation and competency verification process. After clearing your background check and all other requirements, you can begin working with clients. To remain employed, you must complete any required annual continuing education.

Getting Paid to Care for a Family Member in Tennessee

A major 2025 policy change, the Freedom for Family Caregiving Act, now allows qualified family members to get paid for their work through provider agencies. This law directs TennCare to permit agencies to hire relatives, including spouses and parents of adult children, to provide care under programs like CHOICES, ECF CHOICES, and other Medicaid waivers.

To be eligible, a family caregiver must meet the exact same training, background check, and qualification standards as any other professional caregiver employed by the agency.

Tennessee Caregiver Salary and Job Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Tennessee employed 314,610 Home Health and Personal Care Aides as of May 2024, with a median annual wage of approximately $32,210.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find caregiver classes in Tennessee?

Tennessee offers various options for caregiver training, including community colleges, vocational schools, and home care agencies. One of the most convenient platforms to search for caregiver classes is Dreambound.

Dreambound is a free platform that helps students find career and technical training programs. It offers over 70 programs in healthcare, technology, business, and trades, including caregiver training. You can search by location, format, and budget to find a program that fits your needs.

How much does caregiver training cost in Tennessee?

Costs vary by program type. Short, non-medical online courses (4-12 hours) typically cost between $25 and $65. More comprehensive Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) programs generally range from $700 to $1,500, though this can vary by school and what's included (e.g., books, exam fees).

How much is the relative caregiver stipend in Tennessee?

This question usually refers to the Relative Caregiver Program (RCP), which provides financial support to relatives caring for children in state custody. The stipend is legally set at 50% of the Department of Children's Services (DCS) foster care board rate. Based on recent data, this calculates to approximately $473 per month for a child aged 0-11 and $543 per month for a child aged 12-18.

What are the career paths for a caregiver?

The caregiver role is an excellent entry point into healthcare. Many caregivers advance their careers by:

Becoming a Home Health Aide (HHA): Completing the 75-hour program increases your skills and job options.
Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA): This certification opens up jobs in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities.
Specializing: With experience, you can specialize in high-demand areas like dementia or hospice care.
Becoming a Nurse: Caregiver experience provides a strong foundation for pursuing a degree as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN).

Final Thoughts

Becoming a caregiver is a noble and rewarding career choice that requires compassion, patience, and a genuine desire to help others. By completing the right training and actively seeking job opportunities, you can embark on a fulfilling career in this high-demand field.

Remember to continuously update your skills through continuing education. This will not only help you provide the best care possible but also open up new career opportunities and advancement prospects. If you're ready to start your search for the right training program, explore your options on Dreambound today.

BA Psychology with concentration in Mental Health

BS Healthcare Administration

BS in Psychology

BS Healthcare Administration with concentration in Patient Safety and Quality

Key Points

What is a Caregiver?

How to Become a Paid Caregiver in Tennessee: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Confirm Your Role and Eligibility

Step 2: Get the Right Training

Step 3: Complete Health and Competency Checks

Step 4: Pass a Mandatory Background Check

Step 5: Apply to Licensed Home Care Agencies

Step 6: Complete Onboarding and Start Work

Getting Paid to Care for a Family Member in Tennessee

Tennessee Caregiver Salary and Job Outlook

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find caregiver classes in Tennessee?

How much does caregiver training cost in Tennessee?

How much is the relative caregiver stipend in Tennessee?

What are the career paths for a caregiver?

Final Thoughts

Read More

BA Psychology with concentration in Mental Health

BS Healthcare Administration

BS in Psychology

BS Healthcare Administration with concentration in Patient Safety and Quality

Key Points

What is a Caregiver?

How to Become a Paid Caregiver in Tennessee: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Confirm Your Role and Eligibility

Step 2: Get the Right Training

Step 3: Complete Health and Competency Checks

Step 4: Pass a Mandatory Background Check

Step 5: Apply to Licensed Home Care Agencies

Step 6: Complete Onboarding and Start Work

Getting Paid to Care for a Family Member in Tennessee