State‑issued Community Health Worker (CHW/P/R) Certificate guidance
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Defines statewide requirements for obtaining, renewing, and approving training programs for the state-issued CHW/P/R Certificate and optional Specialty Certificates; affects individuals seeking certification, training programs, employers, and Medi‑Cal reimbursement pathways in California.
No material clinical or coverage changes in this revision.
Certification, Renewal, and Continuing Education Requirements
Certification and renewal criteria
Pathways and requirements to demonstrate core competencies for the state-issued CHW/P/R Certificate.
Training Pathway
- Self-attestation of lived experience.
- Successful completion of an HCAI-approved CHW/P/R training program.
- Complete a minimum of 10 hours of field experience (may be part of the approved training program or completed through an employer; field experience may be unpaid unless employer provides pay).
Experience Pathway - general
- Self-attestation of lived experience.
- The Experience Pathway can lead to certification via one of three options (detailed below).
Experience Pathway Option 1 - Verification of Skills/Core Competencies and Past Work Experience
- Applicants must document 2000 hours of prior work experience (employment or volunteering) in the past three years.
- At least 500 of these hours must be verified by an employer or organizational representative where the applicant volunteered.
- A supervisor or organization official must attest that the applicant has the required core competencies.
Experience Pathway Option 2 - Prior completion of an HCAI-approved training program
- Self-attestation of lived experience.
- Submit a certificate of completion from an HCAI-approved training program issued within 5 years and prior to the program receiving HCAI approval.
- Provide at least 10 hours of field experience.
Experience Pathway Option 3 - Reciprocity (out-of-state/international)
- Self-attestation of lived experience.
- Submit an out-of-state or international CHW training certificate issued within 5 years.
- Provide at least 10 hours of field experience; HCAI may review alternate evidence at its discretion.
Age and billing limits
- Applicants must be at least 16 years old to obtain a state-issued CHW/P/R Certificate.
- Certificate holders must be 18 years old to bill Medi‑Cal.
Experience Pathway timeline
- HCAI anticipates closing Experience Pathway Options 1 and 2 on June 30, 2029; HCAI will revisit this based on application volume.
- Reciprocity (Option 3) continues beyond 2029 and HCAI may review alternate evidence at its discretion.
Renewal
- Certificate renewal every 2 years.
- Proof of minimum 6 hours continuing education per year (12 hours total per renewal period) from HCAI-approved programs or employer-verified training; Specialty Certificate training may satisfy the 6 hours annually.
Training program requirements (for HCAI-approved CHW/P/R programs)
- Provide a minimum of 80 hours of training, including at least 10 hours of field experience.
- Model curriculum after the nationally recognized Community Health Worker Core Consensus Project (C3) for core competencies.
- Include at least one current or former CHW trainer and assess core competencies and provide application support for trainees.
HCAI CHW/P/R continuing education and Specialty Certificate requirements
Requirements and expectations for HCAI-approved CHW/P/R continuing education and Specialty Certificate training programs.
Medi‑Cal Linkage, Codes, and Time-Limited Options
| Guidance references Medi‑Cal CHW Preventive Services and All Plan Letter for managed care requirements; no specific procedure codes listed in this document. |
Billing Pathways and Program Approval Actions
Medi‑Cal reimbursement pathway and billing references
State-issued CHW/P/R Certificate is a pathway for Medi‑Cal reimbursement under both fee-for-service and managed care; the Certificate demonstrates core competencies to provide Medi‑Cal reimbursable CHW services, but the Certificate is NOT required to work as a CHW/P/R. For Medi‑Cal FFS, reference the DHCS Medi‑Cal Provider Manual on the CHW Preventive Services; for managed care, see Medi‑Cal All Plan Letter 22-016. Note: individuals must be at least 18 years old to bill Medi‑Cal even though the Certificate can be issued at age 16.
- Medi‑Cal FFS reference: DHCS Medi‑Cal Provider Manual page on CHW Preventive Services (see chunk 4).
- Medi‑Cal managed care reference: Medi‑Cal All Plan Letter 22-016 (see chunk 4).
Apply to HCAI for Specialty Certificate approval (delegation possible)
To become an HCAI‑approved Specialty Certificate training program, the program must be an HCAI‑approved CHW/P/R training program or partner with one and submit an application to HCAI for Specialty Certificate approval. HCAI may delegate its authority to approve Specialty Certificate programs to other state departments under the Health and Human Services Agency for specializations within those departments' expertise, provided the delegated department ensures all HCAI requirements are met.
- Specialty curriculum must provide a minimum of 10 hours of specialized training, attest appropriateness for CHW/P/Rs, include tailored learning objectives, receive expert approval, and provide support for trainees to apply for the Specialty Certificate (see chunk 19).
- If combined with the baseline CHW/P/R training, the program must offer at least 10 additional hours beyond the 80‑hour minimum to award both certificates (see chunk 19).
- HCAI may delegate approval authority to other state departments; delegated departments must ensure all HCAI requirements are met (see chunk 20).
Key Terms and Program Definitions
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