Some home care aides and other qualifying long-term care workers affected by Washington’s wildfire emergency may receive additional time to complete certification requirements.

DSHS issued a provider letter on September 10, 2026, explaining that the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) adopted emergency rules under WSR 26-18-023 to extend certification timelines for impacted workers.

Who may qualify

According to the DSHS guidance, a long-term care worker may be eligible for the extension when:

• The worker’s certification deadline falls between August 1, 2026, and November 30, 2026; and

• The worker was impacted by wildfires in a county or tribal land covered by the Governor’s wildfire emergency proclamation or subsequent amendments.

The emergency rule applies to impacted home care aides and certain nursing assistants-certified who are employed as long-term care workers.

New deadline for qualifying workers

A qualifying worker must complete certification requirements and become certified by November 30, 2026.

The worker must also submit information to DOH, using the form provided by the department, showing that the worker meets the requirements for the extension.

What AFH providers should do

Providers should review certification deadlines for employees who have been affected by the wildfire emergency and identify anyone whose deadline falls within the August 1-November 30 window.

Employees who may qualify should be directed to the Department of Health Home Care Aide program for the required form and certification instructions.

Questions may also be directed to the DSHS RCS Policy Unit at RCSPolicy@dshs.wa.gov.

Sources

• DSHS Residential Care Services Dear Provider Letter, HCLA: AFH #2026-038, dated September 10, 2026.

• Washington State Department of Health emergency rule WSR 26-18-023, Chapter 246-980 WAC.