Qualification Overview
The AHEC Caregiver Certification is a foundational qualification for individuals providing personal care and daily living support to older adults, people living with disability, and those recovering from illness. Caregivers work in private homes, residential care settings and community services, supporting independence, dignity and quality of life.
Purpose
The purpose of the Caregiver Certification is to set a clear, internationally recognised baseline of competence and conduct for caregivers. It assures families, employers and care providers that the holder can deliver safe personal care, respond appropriately in an emergency, safeguard vulnerable people from harm, and understand the boundaries of the caregiving role.
Entry Requirements
- Minimum age of 18 years at the date of examination.
- Basic literacy and numeracy in the language of instruction and assessment.
- No formal prior qualification is required — this is an entry-level certification.
- Satisfactory health clearance where required for placement.
- Criminal record / background check, given the vulnerability of the people served.
- Enrolment with an AHEC Approved Testing Centre delivering the Caregiver programme.
Course Structure
Units Covered
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01
The Role of the Caregiver
Responsibilities, scope and limits of the caregiving role, and when to seek professional help.
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02
Person-Centred Care and Dignity
Respecting choice, independence, privacy, culture and individual preference.
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03
Personal Care and Daily Living Support
Bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting, continence support and mealtime assistance.
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04
Safe Moving, Handling and Mobility
Assisting with transfers and walking, falls prevention, and protecting both client and caregiver from injury.
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05
Nutrition, Hydration and Meal Preparation
Balanced diets, special dietary needs, safe food handling and encouraging adequate fluid intake.
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06
Infection Prevention in the Home and Care Setting
Hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, cleaning and safe waste disposal.
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07
Medication Support
Prompting and assisting with medication within the caregiver’s permitted role, safe storage, and accurate recording.
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08
Supporting People with Dementia
Understanding dementia, communication strategies and responding to distress and responsive behaviours.
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09
Safeguarding and Recognising Abuse
Types and signs of abuse and neglect, reporting duties, and protecting vulnerable adults.
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10
Emergency Response and First Aid Awareness
Recognising an emergency, summoning help, choking, falls and basic first aid principles.
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11
Communication, Record Keeping and Confidentiality
Effective communication, accurate care records and respecting client privacy.
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12
Practical Care Placement
Application of all competencies in a real care setting under supervision.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion, the certified holder will be able to:
- Describe the caregiver’s role, responsibilities and limits, and recognise when to escalate to a healthcare professional.
- Provide personal care that is safe, competent and preserves the client’s dignity, privacy and choice.
- Assist safely with mobility and transfers, protecting both the client and themselves from injury.
- Support nutrition and hydration, including special dietary needs and safe food handling.
- Apply infection prevention measures in home and residential care settings.
- Support medication use safely and within the permitted limits of the caregiver role.
- Communicate effectively with people living with dementia and respond appropriately to distress.
- Recognise the signs of abuse or neglect and act on safeguarding duties without delay.
- Respond appropriately in an emergency and summon help promptly.
- Maintain accurate, confidential records of care provided.
Examination Process
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1
Register
Create your AHEC candidate account and register for the examination through the AHEC Examination Portal.
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2
Pay the examination fee
Pay online. Your invoice and official receipt are generated automatically and stored in your portal.
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3
Receive your registration number
On confirmed payment the system issues your unique AHEC Examination Registration Number, linked to your examination.
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4
Examination countdown
Your portal displays a live countdown to the examination. The paper stays locked until the official date and time.
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5
Sit the examination
The examination unlocks automatically when the countdown reaches zero. It runs for a fixed 2 hours (120 minutes) on the secure AHEC online examination platform, with answers saved continuously and submitted automatically when time expires.
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6
Results
Results are marked, moderated and approved by AHEC, then released to your portal on the published results release date.
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7
Certification
On passing, your official AHEC certificate is generated automatically with a unique certificate number and is available to download from your portal.
Examination Fee
- Payable on examination registration.
- An invoice and an official receipt are generated automatically once payment is confirmed, and stored in your candidate portal.
- Payment confirmation issues your AHEC Examination Registration Number and starts your examination countdown.
Certification Requirements
To be awarded the AHEC Caregiver Certification, a candidate must satisfy all of the following:
- Successful completion of an AHEC-approved Caregiver programme at an Approved Testing Centre.
- Achievement of the AHEC pass mark or above in the Caregiver written examination.
- Completion and centre verification of the practical care placement.
- A satisfactory practical competency record signed off by the Approved Testing Centre.
- Payment in full of the examination fee.
Sample Certificate
The official AHEC certificate awarded on successful completion of the Caregiver Certification.
Certificate Verification
Every Caregiver Certification has its own dedicated verification portal. Employers, regulators and institutions can confirm a credential instantly using the certificate number, the AHEC examination registration number, the candidate’s name or the verification ID.
Ready to sit the Caregiver Certification?
Examination fee US$120.00. Next examination: 13 September 2026. Registration closes 28 August 2026.