Basic Training & Qualifying Tests

New Required Training: Providing Inclusive Care (New LGBTQIA2S+ Training Course)

Basic Training and Qualifying Tests

CPR ClassDepending on the population you serve and your role in the adult care home, you will be required to complete basic trainings and qualifying tests if you are a:

  • Current operator
  • Operator applicant
  • Resident manager
  • Caregiver

This page includes information about training support, qualifying test registration, caregiver requirements, English test, mandatory abuse reporter training, pre-service dementia training, Home and Community-Based Services training, Providing Inclusive Care, APD Ensuring Quality Care course, Pre-service infection prevention & control, food handler training and fire safety.

Operators and resident managers are required to complete additional trainings.

Training Support

The ACHP training coordinator can schedule time with you to answer your questions about how to find and sign-up for community-based, ACHP and state sponsored training. Call 503-988-3000 and ask to be connected to Ana Weakland, training coordinator.

Qualifying Test Registration

The Adult Care Home Program offers two different qualifying tests. There is no charge for these tests. 

  • The Developmental Disabilities Qualifying Test is required for all caregivers, resident managers, and operators prior to providing direct care to residents. This test is based on the   DD Basic Training Manual 3/2015 (17.77 MB). Please study the manual before taking this test. 
    • All DD caregiver applicants must take and pass the DD Qualifying Test before any approval, even temporary, to work. Remember caregivers must also submit a  Caregiver Application and Background Check (197.63 KB). in person at the ACHP office.
  • The APD Qualifying Test is required for APD and MHA resident managers and operators, and for caregivers who want to become resident manager-qualified. This test is based on the APD Basic Training (Ensuring Quality Care) and on the ACHP Orientation. Please complete these courses before taking this test. 

Operator or resident manager applicants can only take a qualifying test twice within six months. Failing to pass the test twice may lead to an application denial. If a caregiver applicant fails a qualifying test twice, they must wait 14 days to take the test again.

Register Soon for an Upcoming Test:

November 26, 2024 at 2 p.m.

December 3, 2024 at 2:00 pm

December 10, 2024 at 2:00 pm

December 17, 2024 at 2:00 pm

December 24, 2024 at 2:00 pm

Caregiver Requirements

Different kinds of training are required for caregivers, depending on their role in the care home and the populations they serve. 

If a resident from a different population moves into a care home, caregivers must complete a new Caregiver Application and Background Check (197.63 KB) for the new population. All staff, including caregivers, must also complete required training for both populations. For example, if an MHA resident moves into a I/DD home, caregivers must complete requirements for both I/DD and MHA populations. Review requirements closely to ensure you are in compliance.

All Caregivers:

  • Caregiver Application and Background Check (197.63 KB)
    • Turn in your application at the ACHP office. Remember to bring current photo ID and application fee. 
  • Mandatory abuse training
  • Providing Inclusive Care (New LGBTQIA2S+ Training Course)
  • First Aid/CPR (required if working alone)
  • Recordkeeping B (required before administering any medications or if working alone)
  • Caregiver Checklist (75.25 KB)

Caregivers 21+ years old, working alone for more than 20 hours:

  • Pre-Service Infection Prevention & Control for Community Based Care
  • Fire safety
  • English listening and reading tests (Provided by MHCC)
  • Food handler card

Aging and People with Disabilities (APD) requirements:

Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD):

Mental Health and Addiction (MHA) requirements:

  • APD caregiver workbook (at this time there is no MHA-specific training for caregivers)
  • 12 hours MHA continuing education units required annually upon renewal

English Test

The English test is required for all resident managers and operators, and may be required for some caregivers. The ACHP has partnered with Mt. Hood Community College to provide the CASAS Life & Work tests to ACHP applicants. The test includes reading and listening assessments. The cost is $23.50. Retests, if needed, are $11.50 each.

CASAS provides sample test questions to help testers get familiar with the format and to practice taking the tests.

Mandatory Abuse Reporter Training

Classes can be found on Workday. Create a profile and enter Workday to access this training.

Mandatory Abuse Reporting for I/DD, APD and MHA care homes

Instructions to Create Workday Account

The state of Oregon also provides this useful guide Abuse Reporting and Investigative Guide for Providers.

Providing Inclusive Care (New LGBTQIA2S+ Training Course)

Registration is now open for the required LGBTQIA2S+ training course, Providing Inclusive Care: Training for Oregon Long-Term Care Facility Staff. All adult care home operators, staff and contractors must complete this free training course by Tuesday, December 31, 2024.

Certificate Validity: Your certificate is valid for 24 months from completion. It is transferable between adult care homes and facilities.

New Hires: All new staff hired in 2024 must meet the December 31, 2024 deadline. For staff hired on or after January 1, 2025, the training is a pre-service training requirement.

This online course is offered through Oregon Care Partners, and it takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete. This course provides 1.5 CEUs. To obtain a certificate of completion, each staff member must create their own account and take the training online as an individual. Be sure to print or save your certificate as a PDF. Starting Friday, November 1, this course will also be offered in Spanish.

Pre-Service Dementia Training

All new APD providers must take an approved class on dementia care before they care work with residents or be approved for any APD role. All currently approved APD providers must be able to show that you have completed this required course.

Approved trainings with online options:

  • Free, Six hour, seven course online training bundle: "Pre-Service Dementia Training for Direct Care Staff" from Oregon Care Partners online courses through Relias. You must complete all seven courses and pass a test for each course in order to receive a certificate of completion.
  • Pre-Service Dementia Training, a 2.5 hour webinar with Oregon Care Home Consulting & Training. Cost is $39.

Home and Community-Based Services Training

APD Ensuring Quality Care Course

The APD Ensuring Quality Care Courses is required for operators and resident manager applicants. If you plan to take the basic training for APD-licensed providers before the ACHP orientation, take a copy of the Multnomah County Administrative Rules for Adult Care Homes with you.

Currently-licensed operators who have already completed EQC and are applying for an additional license are not required to retake the new EQC course.

Portland Area EQC Instructors

Alyssa Elting-McGuire and Matt Gannon
afh-training.thinkific.com/courses/Online-EQC-Course
503-647-6219
instructor@oregoneqc.com

Pre-Service Infection Prevention & Control for Community Based Care

Operator applicants and resident manager applicants must take this course as part of application process. This 120 minute online video course will help you prevent the spread of infections. Learn about COVID-19, how it is spread, and steps you can take to keep the virus from infecting you and your residents.

This free Oregon Care Partners course qualifies for two Continuing Education Units.

Create an account, complete the course and submit a copy of your certificate to ACHP by email or fax (503-988-5722).

Food Handler Training

Operators, resident managers and caregivers who want to become resident-manager-qualified or who will be left in charge of the home during an operator or resident Manager's absence must complete a one-time food handler training. Multnomah County provides a food handler study guide/training manual and information on how to get a food handler card. 

When getting a food handler card, make sure it is approved in Oregon. There are a number of fake online courses saying they are approved in Oregon that are not, so be sure to get your card from Multnomah County or one of the approved providers.

Fire Safety

Operators, resident managers, and caregivers who want to be resident-manager-qualified must complete the online fire safety training and test available in Workday.

Instructions to Create Workday Account

CPR and First Aid Certification

In-person courses are required for both first time certification and renewals.

Courses that are online only are not allowed (MCAR 023-070-630).

If a portion of the course is provided online, there must be an in-person skills test conducted by a qualified instructor.

Approved in-person courses include:

  • American Heart Association (aka Heartsaver)
  • American Red Cross
  • American Safety and Health Institute 
  • Medic First Aid

If you want to take a CPR and first aid course from a company that is not on this list, you should call the ACHP and check to make sure it will be accepted.

Oregon Intervention System (OIS) Certification

OIS is Oregon’s system of training and implementing the principles of Positive Behavior Support and Intervention to staff that support adults and children with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) that may display challenging behaviors. This course is required for I/DD-2B caregivers, resident managers and operators. Sign up for the course or learn more about OIS.

Learn more about changes to OIS Certifications that will affect new applicants and recertification.