KS Community Health Worker Coalition
certification
Kansas Community Health Worker Certification Temporary Pause
The Kansas Community Health Worker Certification is transitioning to a new certification management system and administrative structure. The Coalition will partner with Certemy to support certification activities going forward.
To support data transfer and system setup, all Community Health Workers (CHWs) whose certification renewal is scheduled for 2026 will be considered in good standing through December 31, 2026.
The standard renewal cycle will resume in 2027, at which time CHWs will follow the established renewal requirements and timelines. All new first time CHW certifications will resume in May 2026.
This transition marks an important step in strengthening the Kansas Community Health Worker Coalition’s capacity to manage certification, registry, and other coalition activities.
We appreciate your patience during this transition. Updated information, including the date certification activities will resume, will be posted here.
For questions, please contact KSCommunityHealthWorkers@gmail.com.
Community Health Workers may apply for certification if they meet the outlined criteria listed below. See below for more details.
Criteria for CHW Certification
To learn more about the difference between Certification and a Certificate Program, check out this overview video.
Applicants may apply for certification through one of two pathways: (1) Education Pathway and (2) Work Experience Pathway.
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**The Kansas CHW Coalition (KCHWC) currently recognizes the Missouri ‘Community Health Worker-Certified (CHW-C)’ and the Indian Health Service Community Health Representative course certificate of completion as sufficient documentation for the completion of an approved CHW course. Accepted documents in lieu of a CHW course certificate of completion include:
-Missouri Certified CHWs may submit a copy of their current certification document or certification card from the Missouri Credentialing Board.
-CHRs may submit a copy of their Indian Health Service Community Health Representative course certificate of completion in lieu of the certificate of completion from their educational institution.
Education Pathway Requirements
Applicant must complete the KDHE approved CHW training program through the Kansas CHW Coalition or certified Kansas CHW education provider.
Both Missouri Certified CHWs and CHRs are eligible to apply for CHW certification in Kansas. Please see additional information under the “Criteria for CHW Certification” dropdown above.
Work Experience Pathway Requirements
Applicant must complete 800 hours over three years plus three letters of recommendation to document work and/or volunteer experience.
Reciprocity Pathway Requirements
See above under ‘Criteria for CHW Certification.
Kansas CHW Registry
The Kansas Community Health Worker Coalition (KCHWC) will maintain a registry of the Kansas Community Health Workers applying for certification and have been granted certification. All documents submitted will be maintained by KCHWC and are the property of KCHWC after submission. KCHWC will maintain confidentiality of all applicants.
Length of Certification
Re-certification or renewal will be required every two years.
Background Check
It is the responsibility of the employer to conduct all background and registry checks. No background or registry checks will be conducted by the KCHWC.
According to the KCHWC policies and procedures, the following rules apply to those seeking a Kansas CHW certification.
No background check, mental health check or employee disqualification check will be completed as part of this application. Employers will need to complete any required database checks for exclusion from participation in federal programs.
Exceptions
Any application may be reviewed by the KCHWC Exceptions Committee.
If an application has been denied by the Exceptions Committee and the applicant would still like to become certificated, the applicant may appeal directly to the KCHWC Exceptions Committee.
Continuing Education Credit
Applicants must complete 20 contact hours (a.k.a. credit hours) of continuing education credits every two years. These hours must be aligned with the Kansas CHW Scope of Practice and/or core competencies as outlined here.
After the applicant has completed the certification application and it has been reviewed and approved, the certified CHW will receive the full list of requirements and guidelines on available continuing education credit opportunities. Many continuing education credit opportunities will be provided through KCHWC webinars, modules, education, etc., and KCHWC partners. In addition, certificates of completion from outside sources will be accepted. One contact hour is equivalent to one credit hour.
Of the 20 continuing education credits required, six hours of ethics and Health Information Privacy and Portability Act (HIPPA) training are required every two years. Both ethics and HIPAA training are required every two years.
To access available continuing education credits, click here.
To access the most up-to-date Certified Kansas CHW Continuing Education Guide, click here.
To access the Continuing Education Report Form, click here.
To download a blank CE tracking LOG, please click here
Timeline
Applications are reviewed within three weeks of receipt.
Any follow-up correspondence must be with the coalition if it has been more than three weeks since the postmark date. Please email KSCommunityHealthWorkers@gmail.com.
Recertification
Please make sure you:
-Gather your Kansas Community Health Worker Coalition certification document.
-Know your certification number from the CHW Registry by clicking here.
-Have submitted the required 20 hours of continuing education credit hours over the last 24 months.
If you have any questions, please contact the Kansas Community Health Worker Coalition at KSCommunityHealthWorkers@gmail.com.
Questions?
Do you have any questions or need assistance with any step of the process?
Contact us at KSCommunityHealthWorkers@gmail.com
Become a Certified Community Health Worker Today!
If you have questions, contact us at KSCommunityHealthWorkers@gmail.com.
Certification Application Forms on Pause
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