How to Become a Paid Caregiver in Tennessee: Complete Guide

If you're wondering how to become a caregiver in Tennessee, you have several options.

You can work directly with older adults and families, join a home care agency, or complete additional training to become a Home Health Aide (HHA) or Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).

Caregiver requirements in Tennessee vary by role. You don't need a state license or certification to work independently as a non-medical caregiver, while agency, clinical, and certain TennCare roles have additional requirements.

In this guide, we'll cover each caregiving path, the training and requirements involved, how much you can earn, and ways to find paid caregiving work.

Key Takeaways

• You can provide non-medical in-home care in Tennessee without a state caregiver license or certification.
• Paid caregivers in Tennessee typically earn about $15 to $18 per hour, while Helpers on Herewith earn $20 to $30 per hour on average.
• Eligible family members can get paid for caregiving through certain TennCare programs.

Types of Paid Caregivers in Tennessee

There are several ways to get paid as a caregiver in Tennessee. The right fit depends on your experience, the type of senior care you want to give, and your preferred work setting.

Family caregivers

Family caregivers help a parent, spouse, relative, or someone else they know with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, meals, transportation, and household tasks.

You may already be doing this work without getting paid. In Tennessee, certain programs allow eligible relatives to become paid caregivers, which we’ll cover later in this guide.

Private-pay caregivers

As a private-pay caregiver, you work directly with older adults and their families, usually in the person’s home. You can help with personal care, meals, light housekeeping, errands, transportation, companionship, and other everyday needs.

Helpers on Herewith do this type of non-medical in-home care. If you want to help older adults at home without pursuing a clinical credential, this is one way to get started.

Agency caregivers

Agency caregivers also help people with personal care and day-to-day needs at home. Instead of working directly for a family, you’re hired by a home care agency that connects you with clients.

Each agency has its own hiring and training requirements. We’ll look at Tennessee’s requirements for personal support agency workers in the next section.

Home Health Aides

Home Health Aides (HHAs) work through home health organizations, helping clients with personal care and certain health-related tasks under supervision.

This role comes with more training requirements than independent non-medical caregiving. It’s a good option if you want hands-on caregiving experience in a home setting.

Certified Nursing Assistants

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) usually work in nursing homes, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and other healthcare settings. They help with personal care and mobility, take vital signs, and report changes in a person’s condition.

CNA work requires formal training and certification in Tennessee. If you want to focus on everyday support at home, private-pay or agency caregiving is a more direct path, while CNA work takes you further into healthcare.

How to Become a Paid Caregiver in Tennessee

Caregiver requirements in Tennessee vary by role. You can work independently in non-medical in-home care without state certification, while agency, HHA, and CNA roles have their own training and eligibility requirements.

Starting as a private-pay or platform-based caregiver

You don't need a Tennessee caregiver license or state certification to work independently as a non-medical caregiver. This is one of the most direct ways to start paid caregiving.

Private clients and caregiving platforms can set their own requirements. For example, Herewith requires all Helpers to pass a background check.

The state doesn't require caregiver training for independent non-medical work, but training can prepare you for common responsibilities. Helpful areas include:

• Personal care
• Safe mobility assistance
• Dementia support
• Emergency procedures

Herewith also offers free caregiver training for Helpers.

As an independent non-medical caregiver, you can help with companionship, meals, transportation, light housekeeping, personal care, and other daily activities. You can't perform skilled medical tasks without the required training or credentials.

Working for a Tennessee personal support agency

To work for a licensed Personal Support Services Agency in Tennessee, you'll complete the agency's hiring and training requirements. You don't apply for a general state caregiver certification.

Personal support workers must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Complete training based on their role and the needs of the people they assist
• Pass a criminal background check
• Complete checks of the Tennessee Abuse Registry and Sex Offender Registry
• Complete continuing education after being hired

Individual agencies can set additional requirements, so check with your employer before starting the application or training process.

Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant

To become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Tennessee, you need formal training, a competency exam, and placement on the Tennessee Nurse Aide Registry.

The process includes:

• Complete a state-approved nurse aide program. Tennessee requires at least 75 hours of classroom and clinical training.
• Pass the state competency exam. You must pass within 24 months of completing your training.
• Join the Tennessee Nurse Aide Registry. After you meet the requirements, your certification is recorded on the state registry.

You must renew your CNA certification every two years. To stay active on the registry, you need at least eight hours of qualifying paid work in a licensed or certified healthcare facility during the previous 24 months.

How Much Do Caregivers Make in Tennessee?

Caregivers in Tennessee typically earn about $15 to $18 per hour, depending on the role. Home health and personal care aides have an average wage of $15.45 per hour, while nursing assistants earn $18.27 per hour on average. Helpers on Herewith earn around $20 to $30 per hour.

Here’s how the pay breaks down:

• Home health and personal care aides: $15.45 per hour, or $32,130 per year
• Nursing assistants: $18.27 per hour, or $37,990 per year
• Helpers on Herewith: $20 to $30 per hour on average for non-medical in-home care

Pay also varies across Tennessee. Home health and personal care aides earn around $16.53 per hour in Nashville, $15.73 in Knoxville, and $14.86 in Memphis. Nursing assistants earn an average hourly wage of $18.99 in Nashville and $18.27 in both Knoxville and Memphis.

These figures aren't an apples-to-apples comparison since the roles and employment arrangements differ. Your caregiver salary in Tennessee can vary based on your experience, employer, work setting, and the services you offer.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Can a Family Member Get Paid to Be a Caregiver in Tennessee?

Yes. A family member can get paid to be a caregiver in Tennessee through certain TennCare programs. Your loved one must qualify for the program and covered services before you can be paid for their care.

There are two main ways family caregivers can get paid:

• Consumer Direction: TennCare members who use Consumer Direction can hire, train, and schedule their own workers instead of receiving those services through a provider agency. They can hire family members, friends, neighbors, and other people they know, although some restrictions apply.
• Provider agency employment: Qualified family or household members can work for participating provider agencies and provide eligible services through CHOICES, ECF CHOICES, Katie Beckett, and Tennessee’s 1915(c) waiver programs. Family caregivers must meet the same qualifications for the role, such as training, background check, and licensing or certification requirements when applicable.

Getting paid isn't automatic because you're caring for a relative. If your loved one already has TennCare and is interested in CHOICES, contact their health plan to ask about paid family caregiving options.

If your loved one doesn't have TennCare and wants to apply for CHOICES, contact your local Area Agency on Aging and Disability (AAAD). The AAAD can help with the application and provide information about other programs that could help if your loved one doesn't qualify for Medicaid.

What to Expect When Working as a Caregiver in Tennessee

Caregiving can look very different from one client to the next. Before accepting a job, make sure you understand what the person needs and feel prepared for the responsibilities involved.

As you get started, here are a few things to expect:

• Different routines: Your day will depend on the person you're helping. You could prepare meals, run errands, provide transportation, do light housekeeping, or help with bathing, dressing, and mobility.
• Physical work: Caregiving can mean spending a lot of time on your feet, bending, walking, or helping someone move around their home. Training in safe mobility techniques and proper body mechanics can help protect you both.
• Professional boundaries: You can become close with someone you care for, but you still need to know where your responsibilities end. Respect the person's privacy and speak up if you're asked to do something outside your role or training.
• Learning as you go: You don't need to know how to handle every situation on your first day. Training, asking questions, and knowing when to ask for help will help you build your skills over time.

As you gain experience, you'll learn which clients and caregiving situations fit your skills best. Start with work you're prepared to handle, then build your skills from there.

Caregiver Training and Resources in Tennessee

Tennessee caregivers can find training, certification information, local services, and support through several state and regional programs. The resources that fit you best depend on the type of caregiving you do.

• Tennessee Nurse Aide Programs: If you're pursuing CNA certification, the Tennessee Health Facilities Commission has information on state-approved training programs, testing, certification, renewal, and the Nurse Aide Registry.
• Tennessee Office of Healthy Aging: Caregivers can find information on dementia care, respite services, caregiver support, and programs for older adults. The office also connects caregivers with dementia navigators and other local resources.
• Area Agencies on Aging and Disability (AAADs): Tennessee has nine regional AAADs that help older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers find services in their communities. You can call 1-866-836-6678 from anywhere in Tennessee to reach your local agency.
• National Family Caregiver Support Program: Available through Tennessee's AAADs, this program offers caregiver training, counseling and support groups, respite care, personal care, homemaker services, and adult day care. Services vary by area.
• Herewith caregiver training: Helpers can access free online training through Care Academy to build caregiving skills and prepare for working with older adults.

You don't need to tackle every resource or credential at once. Start with the training or support that fits the work you're doing now, then build your skills as you gain experience.

Finding Caregiving Work on Herewith

If you want to provide non-medical in-home care in Tennessee, Herewith can connect you directly with older adults and families who need help.

As a Helper, you can:

• Browse local Help Requests: See what families need before deciding whether a job is right for you.
• Set your own schedule: Choose from one-time, recurring, part-time, and other caregiving opportunities based on when you want to work.
• Earn $20 to $30 per hour on average: Your rate can vary based on your skills, services, and local caregiver wages.
• Take free caregiver training: Build practical skills before you start or continue learning as you gain experience.
• Keep everything in one place: Use the Herewith app to communicate with families, manage bookings, track shifts, and receive payment.

You don't need to become a CNA to help families with the non-medical services available through Herewith.

To get started, learn more about becoming a Helper and begin browsing Help Requests in your area.

Tennessee Paid Caregiver FAQs

What is a caregiver?

A caregiver helps someone with daily activities they have trouble handling on their own. Depending on the role, this can include personal care, meals, transportation, light housekeeping, companionship, mobility support, and other in-home care.

Do you need a license to be a caregiver in Tennessee?

No. You don't need a state caregiver license to provide independent, non-medical care in Tennessee. If you work for a licensed agency, participate in certain TennCare programs, or become a CNA, you'll need to meet the requirements for that role.

How do I become a caregiver with no experience in Tennessee?

You can start working as a non-medical caregiver in Tennessee without previous professional caregiving experience or CNA certification. Training in personal care, safe mobility, dementia support, and emergency procedures can help you prepare for your first job. Herewith also offers free training for Helpers.

How long does it take to become a CNA in Tennessee?

Tennessee requires at least 75 hours of approved nurse aide training. Your full timeline depends on the training program and when you take the competency exam. You must pass the exam within 24 months of completing your training.

How much does a caregiver make in Tennessee?

Home health and personal care aides in Tennessee earn an average of $15.45 per hour, while nursing assistants earn an average of $18.27 per hour. Helpers on Herewith earn $20 to $30 per hour on average.

Can I get paid to take care of my parents in Tennessee?

Yes. You can get paid to care for a parent in Tennessee if they qualify for eligible TennCare services and you meet the requirements for paid family caregiving. Options include Consumer Direction and employment through participating provider agencies for eligible TennCare services.