How to Become a Certified Caregiver in Georgia

Caring for a Loved One at Home (No Certification Required)

In Georgia, if your loved one qualifies for Medicaid and needs help with daily living, you may be able to get paid for the care you’re already giving, no special certificate needed.

Programs like Structured Family Caregiving (SFC) or the CCSP/SOURCE waiver allow family caregivers to be compensated, often through a partner agency like FreedomCare.

We’ve helped sons caring for aging fathers, daughters supporting moms with dementia, and even long-time friends who’ve become lifelines to each other. You don’t need to be a nurse — you just need to care, show up, and be willing to go through a quick onboarding process.

To qualify, you typically need to:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Pass a background check
• Be legally able to work in the U.S.
• Live with the person you’re caring for (for SFC)

Your loved one must:

• Be enrolled in Medicaid
• Live in Georgia
• Be eligible for home and community-based services (HCBS)

FreedomCare can guide you through the paperwork, verify eligibility, and get you set up to start earning for the care you’re already providing.

Becoming a Certified Professional Caregiver in Georgia

If your goal is to become a caregiver by profession — working for agencies, supporting multiple clients, or growing into a healthcare career — you’ll likely want to pursue a caregiver certification.

Here are a few paths:

Home Health Aide (HHA)

• Training Required: Yes
• Hours: Usually 75+ hours of instruction and clinical training
• Work Settings: In-home care, hospice, or assisted living
• Where to Train: Community colleges, vocational schools, or home care agencies

Personal Care Aide (PCA)

• Training Required: Sometimes, depending on the agency
• Work Settings: Home care agencies and private clients
• Typical Duties: Similar to HHA, but often more flexible with fewer medical tasks

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

• Training Required: Yes
• Hours: 85+ hours of training and passing the Georgia CNA exam
• Work Settings: Nursing homes, hospitals, and private residences
• Potential for Growth: CNAs often go on to become LPNs or RNs

Each of these certifications opens different doors. If you’re caring for a loved one at home, you don’t need any of these to get started with FreedomCare. But if you’re considering caregiving as a longer-term career, certification can be a smart move.

Which Certification Path Is Right for You?

If you’re helping a parent or spouse at home and want to get paid to do it, the Medicaid-paid caregiver route is usually best. FreedomCare helps you onboard quickly, offers weekly pay, and supports you through every step.

If you want a job in the healthcare field, working with patients outside your home, go for formal training like PCA, HHA, or CNA certification.

Either way, know that you’re not just entering a job, you’re becoming someone’s lifeline.

Get Paid to Care for a Loved One in Georgia

One of the biggest myths we hear is: “Family caregivers can’t get paid.” That’s simply not true, and not in Georgia.

Through Medicaid-funded programs like Structured Family Caregiving (SFC), you may qualify to receive a tax-free daily payment for caring for someone you live with.

FreedomCare is one of the largest and most trusted providers in the state. When you sign up with us, we’ll:

• Check your loved one’s Medicaid and waiver eligibility
• Handle all the program paperwork
• Walk you through any onboarding requirements
• Pay you weekly via direct deposit or a pay card

Families often tell us how life-changing it is to finally be compensated for the care they’ve been giving out of love. It helps cover bills, reduce stress, and make caregiving sustainable for the long haul.

Requirements to Become a Family Caregiver Through FreedomCare

To become a paid family caregiver in Georgia, here’s what’s typically needed:

• You must be 18 or older
• You must live with the person you’re caring for (SFC program requirement)
• You must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.
• You must pass a criminal background check
• You must be willing to work with an approved provider (like FreedomCare)

Your loved one must:

• Be on Medicaid in Georgia
• Qualify for a Medicaid waiver (such as CCSP, SOURCE, or SFC)
• Need daily help with tasks like dressing, bathing, eating, or moving around

Not sure if you or your loved one qualifies? That’s what we’re here for. FreedomCare’s team will check eligibility and guide you step-by-step.

Life After You’re Approved

Once you’re enrolled in the program:

• You help your loved one with daily care, just like before
• You log your time with FreedomCare’s app or timesheets
• You get paid weekly

It’s that simple. You don’t have to sacrifice your income to be there for someone you love. You don’t have to choose between your family and your financial well-being. You can have both.

What If You Want to Make Caregiving a Career?

That’s a powerful next step, and many people do take it.

Starting as a paid family caregiver through FreedomCare gives you a strong foundation. From there, you can explore:

• CNA certification for nursing homes or hospitals
• HHA jobs through home care agencies
• Nursing school, if you want to continue advancing

We’ve seen countless FreedomCare caregivers discover their passion for helping others and go on to build full-time careers in the healthcare field. Whether you want to stay at home or reach new professional heights, we’re here to support your journey.