Massachusetts CHW Certification
Recording of the State’s CHW online application process in June 2024
CHW Certification in Massachusetts
Below you will find resources for applying for voluntary CHW certification. Information about certification is regularly updated on the Board of CHW Certification website.
Contact the Board of Certification by email or contact the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Office of CHWs for more information.
Professional Development
BECOMING CERTIFIED
While a CHW is not required to become certified to practice in Massachusetts, MACHW supports voluntary certification as an important way to professionalize and define a clear set of core competencies for CHWs.
The Commonwealth provides two pathways for CHWs to attain certification from the Board of Certification of Community Health Workers.
Work Experience Pathway
CHWs who have fulfilled the required 4,000 hours of relevant work experience may apply for certification. Please be advised that the Work Experience Pathway certification is ending in June 2025.
Combined Training and Work Experience Pathway
CHWs who have fulfilled the required 2,000 hours of relevant work experience and have completed a Massachusetts Board-Approved CHW Education Training Program, may apply. This pathway requires applicants to submit official verification of training completion in a sealed and signed envelope.
A complete application including the following, may be submitted online in the Health Professions Licensing Portal:
- A 2×2 color passport photo
- A signed and notarized Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) acknowledgment form
- A valid social security number
- Three professional references, using the required Reference Form (PDF) | (DOC)
- Application fee
RENEWING CERTIFICATION
Once fully certified, CHWs can renew their certification via the Health Professions Licensing Portal every two years if they complete at least 15 hours of qualified continuing education provided by a Board Approved Continuing Education Provider. There is a fee required for renewal.
CEU RESOURCES
REGIONAL NETWORKS
- People need to understand the concept/vision
- What to do if they are interested
Develop leadership skills
- Annual Conference
- MACHW CHW Policy Leadership Institute
Growing Professionally to Go Beyond CHW Practice
- Earn your Associates
- Earn your Bachelors
- Earn your Masters
MACHW has developed partnerships with higher education to promote advanced academic and professional opportunities for CHWs.
- Cambridge College was offering CHWs 15-18 free credits towards a degree, based on their prior experiences. While this opportunity has closed, we are actively pursuing similar options. We invite you to stay updated by becoming a member of MACHW.
- Through generous funding from Accelerate the Future Foundation, Framingham State University has offered 20 full scholarships to CHWs who are pursuing a master’s degree in counseling psychology. To learn more, reach out to: [email protected]