Accelerated Personal Care Home Administrator (PCHA) 100-Hour Training

Course Overview

This course is for current and aspiring personal care administrators or nurses, caregivers, and healthcare professionals who wish to fulfill continuing education requirements.

Our programs address issues surrounding personal care homes as well as the responsibility to provide safe, humane, comfortable, and supportive residential settings for adults who don't require the services of a licensed, long-term care facility, but do require assistance or supervision with daily living activities and other physical and mental life skills.

Prerequisites

In order to be hired and work as a Personal Care Home Administrator in Pennsylvania, you must meet the educational requirements (see below), complete the 100-hour program, pass the test, and attend a one-day Department of Human Services Orientation. There is no fee for the orientation.

  •  An associate degree or 60 credit hours from an accredited college or university
  • A license as a registered nurse from the Pennsylvania Department of State
  • A license as a licensed practical nurse from the Pennsylvania Department of State and one year of experience in a related field
  • A license as a nursing home administrator from the Pennsylvania Department of State
  • For a home serving eight or fewer residents, a general education development diploma or high school diploma and two years of direct care or administrative experience in the human services field

PCHA Orientation (Required)

You must attend the required Department of Human Services orientation in addition to the 100-hour course. There is no fee for the orientation. The PCHA exam certificate must be uploaded prior to registering for the Orientation.

PCHA Orientation 

PCHA Online Program Options

Penn State DuBois

Penn State Beaver

Penn State Abington

  • September 8 to December 17, 2026
  • Tuesdays and Thursdays, occasional Wednesdays - 6:00pm to 9:30pm
  • Format: Instructor-led course on Zoom
  • Cost: $1,499
  • Registration Pending

PCHA Attendance and course make-up policy: If you miss a class or a significant portion of a class (more than 30 minutes), please be aware that there will be an additional fee to schedule a make-up class. You will need to pay for that class again in full at a separate rate of $16 per hour of the class(es) missed. This policy helps us to ensure that all students stay on track and are prepared for the upcoming exam.

Our goal is to support you in being fully prepared to pass the exam. If you anticipate any scheduling conflicts or have questions about this policy, please feel free to reach out. We’re here to support your learning experience and want to help you stay on course and succeed.

Cancellations and refunds

Payment is due upon registration. Students may request a registration cancellation through the start date of the course. A $25 cancellation fee will apply. No refunds will be given for withdrawal requests after the course start date. The University reserves the right to cancel course selections. If the course is cancelled, the student will be issued a full refund. 

Why choose the Penn State PCHA program?

  • Earn your professional education with Penn State-the Big Ten in your backyard!
  • Penn State offers online and in person options to fit your busy schedule each semester.
  • Our instructors are subject matter experts.
  • Our proven track record speaks for itself: we have trained hundreds of graduates since 2012 and have a pass rate of 98%.

Many US states and territories require professional licensure/certification to be employed. If you plan to pursue employment in a licensed profession after completing this program, please visit the Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures by State interactive map.

Penn State is an approved provider through the Department of Human Services Bureau of Human Services Licensing under the Personal Care Homes Licensing Regulations as of April 23, 2005, published in 55 Pa. Code Chapter 2600 (35 Pa.B.2499).