Personal Support Worker – How to Become Certified

To become certified as a Personal Support Worker you should complete a short-term training.

Many PSW programs were developed recently as part of the Ontario government’s plan to reform long-term care and support services provided to people living at home and in long-term care facilities. These unified training programs consolidate and replace:

  • Health Care Aide Training
  • Attendant Care Training
  • Home Support Worker Training
  • Respite Worker Training
  1. Find out Community Colleges in Ontario that offer certification as a Personal Support Worker.
  2. Search Ontario Colleges of Arts & Technology programs by keyword.
  3. Check private career colleges in Ontario offering Personal Support Worker program.
  4. Check your local District School Board. Some of them offer PSW programs.

In some cases you may be eligible for free tuition (covered by government) or scholarship. For example:
Durham Catholic District School Board offers a Personal Support Worker Certificate Program free tuition. Materials fee may be applied.

Thames Valley District School Board (London)
This program is offered under the Adult Education funding model and therefore there is no tuition charged though some expenses are involved.

St. Joseph Immigrant Women’s Centre (Hamilton)
provides a scholarship program for immigrant and refugee women to become Certified Personal Support Worker.