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WisCaregiver Careers: CDCP—Careers for Students

Students, start your health care career as a CDCP

Are you looking to make a difference in people’s lives? Would you like to see if a health care career is right for you? Now you can get your start as a certified direct care professional – for free.

High school students who have already registered for the free, online certified direct care professional training say that the CDCP program is helping them launch their careers in health care and build their college resumes. You can, too!

How the program works

It’s easy for anyone—high school students included—to begin a health care career as a certified direct care professional. The WisCaregiver Careers CDCP program is free—and online.

Sign up for CDCP training

  • Complete the free, 30-hour online training program at your own pace
  • Receive your CDCP designation and a $250 completion bonus if you work for a qualified WisCaregiver Careers provider
  • Get named to Wisconsin’s Certified Direct Care Professional Registry
  • Connect with employers in your community – and throughout Wisconsin
  • Work six months at a qualified employer and earn a second $250 bonus
  • Amplify your resume with your CDCP certification
  • Upskill your resume with microcredentials
  • Grow into future positions, like certified nurse aide (CNA)

What do CDCPs do?

CDCPs improve the quality of life for people who are elderly or have a disability. The on-the-job role of a CDCP may include:

  • Helping your client with daily activities, such as getting dressed, moving around, meals, and body care
  • Helping with household duties your client can’t do on their own, like laundry, light cleaning, running errands, or getting to appointments

Where do CDCPs work?

CDCPs have the opportunity to work in a variety of settings. Employers may include:

  • Personal or home health agencies
  • Adult family homes (one-to four-bed)
  • Community based residential care facilities
  • Residential care apartment complexes
  • Participants in the Include, Respect, I Self Direct (IRIS) program
  • Children with complex service and support needs

Once students earn their CDCP certification, they will be added to Wisconsin’s official CDCP Registry. WisCaregiver Connections serves to connect employers and CDCPs.

Why do students love the CDCP program?

Flexibility. WisCaregiver Careers allows students to learn how to help others, earn industry recognized credentials, connect with employers, and work almost any time that fits a busy schedule. In high school, students can:

  • Take the CDCP training course as part of an existing health science course
  • Complete the CDCP program as part of an independent study
  • Complete the CDCP program individually, on their own time
  • Highlight the CDCP certification badge on their resume
  • Ladder into additional health care roles

Students also love the fact that CDCPs are eligible to earn a $500 bonus through a qualified employer

But there’s more: Earn $250 more for every referral

In addition to the $500 incentive participants are eligible to earn through employment in the field, CDCPs can also earn an additional $250 for every friend referred to the program.

Here’s how it works.

Individuals referred by a CDCP to the WisCaregiver Careers certified direct care program must:

  • Be certified on the registry to qualify for a friend referral
  • Sign up for CDCP training
  • Provide a CDCP’s name and email address on their registration form (only one referral can be listed on each individual registration form)
  • Successfully complete CDCP training and earn certification

There is no limit to the number of friends a CDCP can refer. What’s more, friends who become certified direct care professionals are also eligible for a $500 bonus through qualified employers. Learn more about all the incentives on the WisCaregiver Careers CDCP Referral webpage.

Glossary

 
Last revised June 30, 2026