Apply for Community Health Worker Certification

A Community Health Worker is a public health worker who applies his or her unique understanding of the experience, language and culture of the populations he or she serves in order to carry out one or more of the following roles:

1. Providing culturally appropriate health education, information and outreach in community-based settings such as homes, schools, hospitals, clinics, shelters, local businesses and community centers;
2. Bridging or culturally mediating between individuals, families, communities and Health and Human Services, including actively building individual and community capacity;
3. Assuring that community members access the Health and Human Services they need;
4. Providing direct services, such as informal counseling on access to Health and Human Services, social support, care coordination and health screenings;
5. Advocating for individual, family and community needs pertaining to access to Health and Human Services;
6. Additional roles as may be identified by the Board that may emerge in the development of Community Health Worker practice.

Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) | (DOC), and Fact Sheet (PDF) | (DOC) for detailed instructions.

Complete applications must include the following documents:

• Completed application
• Application fee amount of $35.00 (currently waived)
• 2x2 passport style color photo
  • White or off-white background
• 3 professional references, using Reference Form (PDF) | (DOC)
  • Verification of 10 Core Competencies
• A National Practitioner Data Bank-Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Bank Self-Query. To request a Self-Query, please contact the National Practitioner Data Bank. The Self-Query must be submitted to the Board without any modifications.
• Signed and notarized Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) Acknowledgement Form (PDF) | (DOCX)

Work Experience Pathway

• Once you have completed the required 4,000 hours of CHW work experience in the US, you may apply for a Massachusetts CHW certification via the Work Experience pathway.

Combined Training & Work Experience Pathway

• Once you have completed the required 2,000 hours of CHW work experience in the US and obtained certification from a Board Approved CHW Education Training Program, you may apply for a Massachusetts CHW certification via the Combined Training & Work Experience Pathway.

Good Moral Character

Everyone is welcome to apply for community health worker certification regardless of their disciplinary or criminal history. The Board of Certification of Community Health Workers encourages community health workers with various life experiences to apply including those with any past disciplinary or criminal history.  We value the lived experience of applicants who are committed to serving their communities.

Here are some example questions that a candidate with a GMC matter can expect from the board members?

• How have you given back to your community since this incident?
• How has your lived experience impacted your practice as a CHW?
• How has this incident impacted/changed you?
• Why did this experience make you want to change?
• Why do you want to be a certified CHW?
• If you could go back, what would you tell/what advice would you give to your younger self? 

More Info

• All requested information must be provided; failure to provide requested information may result in a delay in processing of application. We will return any incomplete applications.
• Do not leave blanks. If you are unable to provide the requested information, attach a separate sheet with an explanation.
• Keep a copy of your completed application for your records. The Board is not able to provide copies of your application. Employers may require that you provide them with a copy.
• To apply by paper, please reach out to the Board directly.