Two different goals: caring well vs getting hired in a regulated role
If you are looking after a parent, partner or child, a short online course can explain the basics: the carer's role, communication, dementia, infection control and looking after yourself. A certificate is optional for that goal, because nobody needs to check it.
If you want paid work in a US nursing facility or with a Medicare-certified home health agency, the rules are different. Federal regulations set minimum training for nurse aides and home health aides, with supervised practical hours and competency evaluation. An online certificate from any free course does not replace that training.
Free options compared
Alison's course pages describe the courses as CPD-accredited. The Dementia Care course page says it is accredited by Alzheimer's Disease International and CPD-certified. Alison's pass mark is 80% on assessments, or 70% for beginner-level Certificate courses, and the Learner Record of completed courses is free if you do not buy a certificate.
| Option | Time | Cost | Certificate | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alison: Introduction to Caregiving | 1.5 to 3 hours, beginner | Free to study | Optional paid CPD-accredited Alison certificate | New carers learning the role, communication and stress management |
| Alison: Caregiving Skills - Dementia Care | 1.5 to 3 hours, beginner; English and Spanish | Free to study | Optional Alison and Alzheimer's Disease International certificate | Family carers of someone living with dementia |
| Alison: Elderly Care and Caring for the Disabled | 1.5 to 3 hours, beginner | Free to study | Optional paid Alison certificate | Understanding ageing, disability and related conditions |
| Alison: Diploma in Caregiving | 6 to 10 hours, per Alison's accreditation page listing | Free to study | Optional paid diploma | A broader overview across topics |
| National Family Caregiver Support Program (US) | Varies by local agency | Program-funded | Not stated | Unpaid carers of people 60+ or with Alzheimer's, and some relative carers |
| VA Caregiver Support Program | Not stated | VA program | Not stated | Caregivers of Veterans enrolled in VA health care |
What Alison's caregiving courses cover
- Introduction to Caregiving: the carer's roles and responsibilities, legal issues, communicating with the care team and with people with disabilities, wheelchair etiquette, stress, and time management.
- Dementia Care: forms of dementia, stages of Alzheimer's disease, behaviour and communication changes, person-centred care, recognising distress or pain, the care worker's role in observing and reporting, young-onset dementia and assistive technology.
- Elderly Care and Caring for the Disabled: differences between ageing and disability, how body systems change with age, conditions linked to ageing, and spinal cord injuries.
- Alison's Elderly Care page notes that formal qualifications are not necessary for many caregiving positions; check the specific job and employer before assuming that applies to you.
What federal rules require for nurse aides and home health aides
Under 42 CFR 483.152, a state-approved nurse aide training program must consist of no less than 75 clock hours and include at least 16 hours of supervised practical training. Under 42 CFR 484.80, home health aide classroom and supervised practical training must total at least 75 hours, with at least 16 hours of supervised practical training following at least 16 hours of classroom training, and a competency evaluation performed by a registered nurse.
These are federal minimums. Your state approves nurse aide programs, so check your state's list of approved programs before enrolling anywhere, and treat any free online certificate as background preparation rather than a credential.
| Role | Minimum training | Supervised practical | Other requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse aide (CNA) | 75 clock hours | At least 16 hours | State-approved program |
| Home health aide | 75 hours total, classroom plus supervised practical | At least 16 hours, after at least 16 classroom hours | Competency evaluation by a registered nurse |
| Family or informal carer | None set | None | No credential required |
Free public support for family caregivers
The Administration for Community Living's National Family Caregiver Support Program funds information, help accessing services, individual counselling, support groups and caregiver training, plus respite care. It serves adult family and informal caregivers of people 60 and older or of people of any age with Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder, and some older relatives caring for children or adults with disabilities. The Eldercare Locator at eldercare.acl.gov connects you to your local Area Agency on Aging.
For carers of Veterans enrolled in VA health care, the VA Caregiver Support Program lists trainings including Building Better Caregivers, Caregivers FIRST, Veteran Care Modules, hands-only CPR training and suicide prevention. Its Caregiver Support Line is 1-855-260-3274, Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm ET.
Who should pay for a certificate, and who should skip it
- Skip the certificate if you are caring for a family member; the free course and Learner Record give you the knowledge without the fee.
- Consider paying if a care employer has told you in writing that a CPD-accredited certificate helps, for example as induction evidence.
- Do not pay expecting it to count toward CNA or home health aide requirements; look for a state-approved program instead.
- Check the Alison sale banner and your Premium discounts before buying, since Alison prices certificates by country.
Questions before you decide
Is there a free caregiving course with a certificate?
Alison's caregiving courses are free to study, but the certificate is an optional purchase. The Learner Record of completed courses is free.
Can a free online course make me a CNA?
No. Federal rules require state-approved nurse aide training of at least 75 clock hours, including at least 16 hours of supervised practical training.
How long are Alison's caregiving courses?
Introduction to Caregiving, Dementia Care and Elderly Care each list about 1.5 to 3 hours. Alison's accreditation page lists the Diploma in Caregiving at 6 to 10 hours.
Where can family caregivers get free training in the US?
The National Family Caregiver Support Program funds caregiver training through local agencies; use the Eldercare Locator to find yours. Carers of enrolled Veterans can use the VA Caregiver Support Program.
Sources & verification
Product details and prices can change. Check the linked provider before buying.
- Alison: Introduction to Caregiving Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Alison: Caregiving Skills - Dementia Care Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Alison: Elderly Care and Caring for the Disabled Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Alison: Caregiving courses Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- 42 CFR 483.152, Requirements for approval of a nurse aide training and competency evaluation program (Cornell LII) Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- 42 CFR 484.80, Home health aide services (Cornell LII) Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Administration for Community Living: National Family Caregiver Support Program Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Caregiver Support Program Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Alison Help Center: How do I get my Certificate? Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Alison Help Center: How do I download my Learner Record? Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Alison: Accreditation Accessed 30 Oct 2026
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