DC HOME HEALTH AIDE CERTIFICATION EXAM 2026/2027 | 150 EXAM PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES | DC HEALTH BOARD OF
NURSING HHA PREP | INSTANT DOWNLOAD
SECTION 1: ROLE, REGULATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION (Questions 1–20)
1. Which agency is responsible for certifying Home Health Aides in the District of Columbia?
A. DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE)
B. DC Board of Nursing, under the Department of Health
C. DC Department of Behavioral Health
D. DC Health Benefit Exchange Authority
Answer: B
Rationale: The DC Board of Nursing (BON), within the DC Department of Health (DC Health), is the
regulatory body that certifies Home Health Aides in the District. The BON establishes training
requirements, approves training programs, and administers certification through examination.
2. What is the minimum total number of training hours required for DC HHA certification through a
Board-approved program?
A. 75 hours
B. 100 hours
C. 125 hours
D. 150 hours
Answer: C
Rationale: DC regulations require a total of 125 hours of didactic and clinical training, consisting of 65
hours of classroom instruction, 20 hours of laboratory, and 40 hours of clinical training. This
comprehensive curriculum ensures HHAs are prepared for safe practice.
3. What is the passing requirement for the DC HHA examination?
A. Passing the written examination only
B. Passing the skills evaluation only
C. Passing both the written examination and the skills evaluation
D. Passing either the written or skills evaluation, whichever is higher
Answer: C
Rationale: Candidates must pass both the Written Examination (70 multiple-choice questions) and the
Skills Evaluation within a 24-month period to receive certification as a Home Health Aide in DC.
,4. How many multiple-choice questions are on the DC HHA Written Examination?
A. 50
B. 70
C. 100
D. 120
Answer: B
Rationale: The Written Examination consists of seventy (70) multiple-choice questions written in
English.
5. How many attempts does a candidate have to pass both the Skills Evaluation and the Written
Examination?
A. Two attempts
B. Three attempts
C. Four attempts
D. Unlimited attempts
Answer: B
Rationale: State and federal regulations allow candidates three (3) attempts to pass both the Skills
Evaluation and the Written Examination.
6. Within what timeframe must a candidate pass both portions of the examination after completing
training?
A. 6 months
B. 12 months
C. 24 months
D. 36 months
Answer: C
Rationale: Candidates must successfully complete an approved training program and pass both
portions of the examination within two (2) years (24 months) of training at an approved testing site.
7. What is the primary role of a Home Health Aide in the healthcare team?
A. Diagnosing medical conditions and prescribing treatment
B. Providing direct personal care and assisting with activities of daily living
C. Performing surgical procedures in the home
D. Prescribing medications
,Answer: B
Rationale: HHAs are responsible for providing direct personal care (e.g., bathing, dressing, grooming)
and assisting clients with activities of daily living. They do not diagnose, prescribe, or perform surgery.
They work under the supervision of a licensed nurse or other authorized healthcare professional.
8. Which of the following is required for a new HHA applicant in DC?
A. A college degree
B. A criminal background check (fingerprinting)
C. A driver's license
D. Prior hospital work experience
Answer: B
Rationale: Each new applicant for HHA certification must obtain a criminal background check.
Instructions for fingerprinting are provided by the Board of Nursing.
9. What is the application fee for HHA certification by examination in DC?
A. $25.00
B. $50.00
C. $75.00
D. $100.00
Answer: B
Rationale: The application fee for HHA Certification by Examination is $50.00 (non-refundable). A
separate $50.00 fee applies for the criminal background check.
10. Which of the following is a delegated nursing function that an HHA may perform under
supervision?
A. Administering intravenous medications
B. Assisting with self-administration of medication
C. Diagnosing a new medical condition
D. Prescribing antibiotics
Answer: B
Rationale: DC regulations allow HHAs to assist with self-administration of medication as a delegated
nursing function under the supervision of a licensed nurse. HHAs do not administer IV medications,
diagnose, or prescribe.
, 11. A CNA who wishes to become an HHA in DC must complete a Board-approved bridge course of
how many hours?
A. 16 hours
B. 32 hours
C. 40 hours
D. 75 hours
Answer: B
Rationale: A certified nursing assistant (CNA) may complete a 32-hour bridge course consisting of 16
hours of classroom/laboratory instruction and 16 hours of clinical training to qualify for HHA
certification.
12. What is the minimum age requirement for HHA certification in DC?
A. 16 years old
B. 17 years old
C. 18 years old
D. 21 years old
Answer: C
Rationale: While the DC Code explicitly states 18 years of age for hearing aid dispensers, the general
requirement for HHA certification is that the applicant must be at least 18 years old, as they are
entrusted with independent care of vulnerable clients.
13. Which of the following is a legal and ethical consideration for HHAs?
A. Respecting client property and maintaining confidentiality
B. Sharing client information freely with neighbors
C. Ignoring client preferences to save time
D. Entering the client's home without knocking
Answer: A
Rationale: HHAs must respect client property and maintain confidentiality as part of their legal and
ethical responsibilities. They should always respect the client's home and privacy.
14. The prohibition on the use of restraints means that an HHA must:
A. Use restraints only when the client is agitated
B. Never use restraints on a client
C. Use restraints only with family permission
D. Use restraints as a first-line intervention
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES | DC HEALTH BOARD OF
NURSING HHA PREP | INSTANT DOWNLOAD
SECTION 1: ROLE, REGULATIONS, AND CERTIFICATION (Questions 1–20)
1. Which agency is responsible for certifying Home Health Aides in the District of Columbia?
A. DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE)
B. DC Board of Nursing, under the Department of Health
C. DC Department of Behavioral Health
D. DC Health Benefit Exchange Authority
Answer: B
Rationale: The DC Board of Nursing (BON), within the DC Department of Health (DC Health), is the
regulatory body that certifies Home Health Aides in the District. The BON establishes training
requirements, approves training programs, and administers certification through examination.
2. What is the minimum total number of training hours required for DC HHA certification through a
Board-approved program?
A. 75 hours
B. 100 hours
C. 125 hours
D. 150 hours
Answer: C
Rationale: DC regulations require a total of 125 hours of didactic and clinical training, consisting of 65
hours of classroom instruction, 20 hours of laboratory, and 40 hours of clinical training. This
comprehensive curriculum ensures HHAs are prepared for safe practice.
3. What is the passing requirement for the DC HHA examination?
A. Passing the written examination only
B. Passing the skills evaluation only
C. Passing both the written examination and the skills evaluation
D. Passing either the written or skills evaluation, whichever is higher
Answer: C
Rationale: Candidates must pass both the Written Examination (70 multiple-choice questions) and the
Skills Evaluation within a 24-month period to receive certification as a Home Health Aide in DC.
,4. How many multiple-choice questions are on the DC HHA Written Examination?
A. 50
B. 70
C. 100
D. 120
Answer: B
Rationale: The Written Examination consists of seventy (70) multiple-choice questions written in
English.
5. How many attempts does a candidate have to pass both the Skills Evaluation and the Written
Examination?
A. Two attempts
B. Three attempts
C. Four attempts
D. Unlimited attempts
Answer: B
Rationale: State and federal regulations allow candidates three (3) attempts to pass both the Skills
Evaluation and the Written Examination.
6. Within what timeframe must a candidate pass both portions of the examination after completing
training?
A. 6 months
B. 12 months
C. 24 months
D. 36 months
Answer: C
Rationale: Candidates must successfully complete an approved training program and pass both
portions of the examination within two (2) years (24 months) of training at an approved testing site.
7. What is the primary role of a Home Health Aide in the healthcare team?
A. Diagnosing medical conditions and prescribing treatment
B. Providing direct personal care and assisting with activities of daily living
C. Performing surgical procedures in the home
D. Prescribing medications
,Answer: B
Rationale: HHAs are responsible for providing direct personal care (e.g., bathing, dressing, grooming)
and assisting clients with activities of daily living. They do not diagnose, prescribe, or perform surgery.
They work under the supervision of a licensed nurse or other authorized healthcare professional.
8. Which of the following is required for a new HHA applicant in DC?
A. A college degree
B. A criminal background check (fingerprinting)
C. A driver's license
D. Prior hospital work experience
Answer: B
Rationale: Each new applicant for HHA certification must obtain a criminal background check.
Instructions for fingerprinting are provided by the Board of Nursing.
9. What is the application fee for HHA certification by examination in DC?
A. $25.00
B. $50.00
C. $75.00
D. $100.00
Answer: B
Rationale: The application fee for HHA Certification by Examination is $50.00 (non-refundable). A
separate $50.00 fee applies for the criminal background check.
10. Which of the following is a delegated nursing function that an HHA may perform under
supervision?
A. Administering intravenous medications
B. Assisting with self-administration of medication
C. Diagnosing a new medical condition
D. Prescribing antibiotics
Answer: B
Rationale: DC regulations allow HHAs to assist with self-administration of medication as a delegated
nursing function under the supervision of a licensed nurse. HHAs do not administer IV medications,
diagnose, or prescribe.
, 11. A CNA who wishes to become an HHA in DC must complete a Board-approved bridge course of
how many hours?
A. 16 hours
B. 32 hours
C. 40 hours
D. 75 hours
Answer: B
Rationale: A certified nursing assistant (CNA) may complete a 32-hour bridge course consisting of 16
hours of classroom/laboratory instruction and 16 hours of clinical training to qualify for HHA
certification.
12. What is the minimum age requirement for HHA certification in DC?
A. 16 years old
B. 17 years old
C. 18 years old
D. 21 years old
Answer: C
Rationale: While the DC Code explicitly states 18 years of age for hearing aid dispensers, the general
requirement for HHA certification is that the applicant must be at least 18 years old, as they are
entrusted with independent care of vulnerable clients.
13. Which of the following is a legal and ethical consideration for HHAs?
A. Respecting client property and maintaining confidentiality
B. Sharing client information freely with neighbors
C. Ignoring client preferences to save time
D. Entering the client's home without knocking
Answer: A
Rationale: HHAs must respect client property and maintain confidentiality as part of their legal and
ethical responsibilities. They should always respect the client's home and privacy.
14. The prohibition on the use of restraints means that an HHA must:
A. Use restraints only when the client is agitated
B. Never use restraints on a client
C. Use restraints only with family permission
D. Use restraints as a first-line intervention
