Alternative Certification

DSHS may issue a Community Health Worker (CHW) or CHW Instructor (CHWI) certification to an applicant who is a military service member, military spouse, or military veteran if the applicant:

• Holds a current out-of-state certification that is similar in scope of practice to the CHW or CHWI certification in Texas; or
• Has had the same CHW or CHWI certification in Texas within the preceding five years.

For more information about the requirements and procedures for alternative certification, please read Texas Occupations Code, Section 55.004, and Texas Administrative Code, Section 1.91

Certification Exemptions

A military service member or military spouse may act as a CHW or CHWI, without a Texas certification, if the applicant:

• Holds a current certification similar in scope of practice issued by the licensing authority of another state and is in good standing with that state's certification authority; and
• submits an application to the DSHS CHW Program.

For more information about the requirements and procedures for certification exception, please read Texas Occupations Code, Section 55.0041 and Texas Administrative Code, Section 1.81. 

Application

You must submit the following to DSHS to apply  for CHW or CHWI alternative certification or exemption:

• Reciprocity Application  for military service member, military veteran, and military spouse.
• Proof of residency in Texas. This requirement is satisfied by providing a copy of the permanent change-of-station order assigning the military service member to a military installation in Texas.
• Copy of your out-of-state CHW or CHW Instructor certification.
• Copy of the military service member or military spouse's military identification card.
• A copy of the military spouse's marriage license, if the applicant is a military spouse.
• A notarized affidavit affirming under penalty of perjury that:
  • You are the person described and identified in the application;
  • All statements in the application are true, correct, and complete;
  • You understand the scope of practice for CHW or CHW instructor certification in Texas and will not perform outside of that scope of practice; and
  • Your out-of-state CHW or CHW instructor certification is in good standing.
• Recent color photo that meets photo requirements.