National platform for direct care workers
Your professional home for direct care
Build your profile, complete training, track your learning hours, and earn portable credentials that stay with you throughout your career—so you can focus on what matters: the people you support.
Trusted by caregivers and employers across the country
Direct Care Professional leveling system
A clear credential ladder from entry-level caregivers to advanced Direct Care Professionals and team leaders.
Entry level
Associate Caregiver
Foundational training in safety, communication, and person-centered support for new caregivers.
Core level
Direct Care Professional I
Core skills for providing daily support, documenting care, and collaborating with teams.
Advanced level
Direct Care Professional II
Advanced competencies in complex support needs, communication, and health monitoring.
Leadership level
Direct Care Professional III
Leadership-level training focused on mentoring, coaching, and leading care teams.
How it works
Four steps to a stronger, more portable career in direct care.
Create your profile
Build a single professional profile that follows you across employers and states.
Complete training
Access courses that meet state and employer requirements in one place.
Track your hours
Log learning hours and competencies so you never lose credit for your work.
Earn credentials
Earn portable credentials that employers recognize and that stay with your career.
Specialization tracks
Beyond core levels, caregivers can earn badges in high-need areas of practice that deepen their expertise and impact.
Memory Care
Support people living with dementia and memory loss using evidence-informed approaches.
Behavioral Health
Provide safe, trauma-informed support for people experiencing behavioral and mental health needs.
Nutrition
Promote wellness through nutrition, mealtime support, and individualized care planning.
Transportation
Build skills for safe, reliable transport support, appointment coordination, and mobility assistance.
Management
Develop team leadership, scheduling, communication, and quality-improvement skills for care environments.
Grant Funding
Learn grant discovery, proposal development, and stewardship practices to help sustain care programs.
Why Direct Care Academy
Training and credentials that work for you—and for the people you support.
Portable credentials
Your credentials travel with you—no more starting from scratch when you change jobs or move.
Verified training
Employers can confirm your completed training and competencies with confidence.
Clear career pathway
From Associate Caretaker to Direct Care Worker certification, with room to specialize.
Specialization options
Memory care, behavioral health, trauma-informed care, I/DD support, and more.
Built for the people who make care possible
Whether you provide care or hire and support caregivers, Direct Care Academy helps you succeed.
For caregivers
One profile, one place for training and credentials. Progress from foundational roles to advanced certification and build expertise in memory care, behavioral health, and more.
- Portable credentials that follow your career
- Track learning hours in one place
- Clear pathway from entry-level to certified
For employers & organizations
Recognize qualified candidates quickly. Verify training and credentials in one place and support your team’s professional development with a nationally recognized pathway.
- Verify credentials and training easily
- Reduce onboarding and compliance friction
- Invest in workforce quality and retention
Strengthening the direct care workforce
Our mission is to create accessible training, transparent career pathways, and portable credentials that empower caregivers and improve the quality of care. By investing in the people who support others every day, we aim to elevate the profession, reduce workforce shortages, and build a stronger care system for the communities that depend on it.