HCA News

The Alberta Health Care Aide (HCA) Directory was a database of the province’s HCAs, serving as a central hub for information about HCAs and for workforce planning purposes. The Directory ceased operations on February 2, 2026.

HCA statistics are included in the Annual Report for the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta. This is the last report under that organization name.

HCA Statistics

There were 39,887 HCAs on the Directory as of December 31, 2025, an 8.1% increase from last year.

• Over 60% of HCAs on the Directory were certified, meaning that they have received an HCA certificate in Alberta.
• Over 30% of HCAs on the Directory were substantially equivalent, which includes graduates of HCA programs outside of the province, internationally educated providers, and other individuals with equivalent education.
• Approximately 8% of HCAs on the Directory are deemed competent, meaning they have no formal healthcare education but have been assessed using a competency assessment tool.

Out of the HCAs who reported an employer by the end of 2025 renewal, more than half worked in long term care, with 16% working in hospitals and 13% working for a home care agency. Almost 80% of HCAs on the Directory worked in the public system or for a contracted operator.

• Over 40% of HCAs work full time.
• Approximately 39% of HCAs work part time.
• Approximately 20% of HCAs work on a casual basis.

The average age of HCAs on the Directory is approximately 43 years old. Almost 70% of HCAs work in either the Calgary or Edmonton zone.