PSW titles & requirements across Canada

Every province uses a different name for the same care role — PSW, HCA, CCA, PAB or RCW. Compare regulatory status, accredited training hours, required certifications, wages and registry links, then put any two regions side by side.

Ontario

Personal Support Worker

PSW

Standardized curriculum

Training: 600+ hours (incl. 300 h placement)
Median wage: $25/hr
Range: $20–$30/hr

Standard First Aid + CPR/BLS-C
Vulnerable Sector Check
Immunization record + TB test

Registry

British Columbia

Health Care Assistant

HCA

Mandatory registry

Training: ~700 hours (provincial HCA curriculum)
Median wage: $29/hr
Range: $25–$35/hr

First Aid + CPR level C
Criminal Record Check (Vulnerable Sector)
Immunization + TB screening

Registry

Alberta

Health Care Aide

HCA

Mandatory registry

Training: ~380–780 hours (2019 provincial curriculum)
Median wage: $26/hr
Range: $22–$32/hr

Standard First Aid + CPR/BLS
Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector
Immunization record

Registry

Quebec

Préposé(e) aux bénéficiaires

PAB

Standardized curriculum

Training: 870 hours (DEP APED)
Median wage: $26/hr
Range: $22–$31/hr

RCR / secourisme en milieu de travail
Vérification des antécédents judiciaires
Carnet de vaccination

Registry

Manitoba

Health Care Aide

HCA

Standardized curriculum

Training: ~660 hours
Median wage: $23/hr
Range: $19–$28/hr

First Aid + CPR
Criminal Record & Adult Abuse Registry checks
Child Abuse Registry check

Registry

Saskatchewan

Continuing Care Assistant

CCA

Standardized curriculum

Training: ~700 hours
Median wage: $25/hr
Range: $21–$29/hr

First Aid + CPR
Criminal Record Check (Vulnerable Sector)
Immunization + TB test

Registry

Nova Scotia

Continuing Care Assistant

CCA

Mandatory registry

Training: ~800 hours
Median wage: $24/hr
Range: $21–$28/hr

First Aid + CPR
Criminal Record Check + Vulnerable Sector
Child Abuse Register check

Registry

New Brunswick

Personal Support Worker

PSW

Standardized curriculum

Training: ~720 hours
Median wage: $22/hr
Range: $18–$26/hr

First Aid + CPR
Criminal Record Check (Vulnerable Sector)
Social Development background check

Registry

Newfoundland and Labrador

Personal Care Attendant

PCA

Standardized curriculum

Training: ~720 hours
Median wage: $23/hr
Range: $19–$27/hr

First Aid + CPR
Certificate of Conduct + Vulnerable Sector Check
Immunization + TB test

Registry

Prince Edward Island

Resident Care Worker

RCW

Standardized curriculum

Training: ~700 hours
Median wage: $22/hr
Range: $19–$26/hr

First Aid + CPR
Criminal Record Check + Vulnerable Sector
Immunization record

Registry

Yukon

Personal Support Worker

PSW

Regulatory updates pending

Training: ~700 hours (NACC-aligned)
Median wage: $30/hr
Range: $25–$36/hr

First Aid + CPR
RCMP Criminal Record Check + Vulnerable Sector
Immunization + TB test

Regulatory updates pending — confirm requirements with the employer before applying.

Registry

Northwest Territories

Personal Support Worker

PSW

Regulatory updates pending

Training: ~700 hours (NACC-aligned)
Median wage: $32/hr
Range: $26–$38/hr

First Aid + CPR
Criminal Record Check + Vulnerable Sector
Immunization + TB test

Regulatory updates pending — confirm requirements with the employer before applying.

Registry

Nunavut

Personal Support Worker

PSW

Regulatory updates pending

Training: ~700 hours (Nunavut Arctic College)
Median wage: $33/hr
Range: $27–$40/hr

First Aid + CPR
Criminal Record Check + Vulnerable Sector
Immunization + TB test

Regulatory updates pending — confirm requirements with the employer before applying.

Registry

Side-by-side comparison

Pick 2 more provinces above to compare requirements, wages and recognition pathways side by side.

Wage figures are estimates based on Job Bank data for NOC 33102 and vary by employer and union agreement. Always confirm current requirements with the provincial body linked above. Read the full career guide.