Oregon Health Authority
Office of Equity and Inclusion - Chapter 950
Division 60
TRADITIONAL HEALTH WORKERS
950-060-0060
Application and Renewal Process for Traditional Health Worker (THW) Certification and Registry Enrollment
(1) Individuals seeking THW certification and registry enrollment shall:
(a) Be at least 18 years of age;
(b) Not be listed on the Medicaid provider exclusion list;
(c) Successfully complete all training requirements for certification in a traditional health worker category as outlined in these rules;
(d) Pass a background check as described in OAR 950-060-0070;
(e) Beginning August 31, 2018, successfully complete an Authority approved oral health training;
(f) Submit to the Authority all required documentation and a completed application on an Authority prescribed form.
(2) An individual applying for certification or renewal as a peer support specialist as that term is defined in OAR 950-060-0010 can have their background check completed by an outside entity pursuant to OAR 950-060-0070 and be verified by that entity to the Authority:
(a) The entity's certification requirements shall include all peer support specialist's certification and renewal requirements set forth in these rules;
(b) For Authority certification or renewal and entry into the registry, peer support specialists shall either:
(A) Have the outside entity submit their certification and background check information to the Authority; or
(B) Submit to the Authority all required documentation and a completed application on an Authority prescribed form.
(3) Individuals seeking THW certification and registry enrollment as a Legacy Clause for community health worker, peer wellness specialist, personal health navigator, peer support specialist, or birth doula shall:
(a) Be at least 18 years of age;
(b) Not be listed on the Medicaid provider exclusion list;
(c) Pass a background check as described in OAR 950-060-0070;
(d) Submit to the Authority all required documentation and a completed application on an Authority prescribed form by June 30, 2025 including:
(A) A minimum of one letter of recommendation from any previous employer for whom THW services were provided between January 1, 2008, and June 30, 2025; and
(B) Verifiable evidence of working or volunteering in the capacity of a community health worker, peer wellness specialist, or personal health navigator for at least 3000 hours between January 1, 2008, and June 30, 2025; or
(C) Verifiable evidence of working or volunteering in the capacity of a peer support specialist for at least 2000 hours between January 1, 2008, and June 30, 2025.
(D) Verifiable evidence of attending 10 births and providing 500 hours of community work supporting birthing persons and families in the capacity of a birth doula.
(E) Submit a completed renewal application on an Authority prescribed form no later than six months after the expiration of the current certification period.
(4) An individual may withdraw from the application process for certification and enrollment or from the registry by submitting written notification to the Authority unless a complaint investigation or revocation proceeding is underway.
(5) Applicants shall apply for certification within three years of completing a training program to be eligible for certification and registry enrollment.
(6) Applicants denied certification because they completed a training program more than three years prior to application may file an appeal with the Authority for an exemption.
(7) If the Authority determines that an applicant meets the requirements of this section, the Authority shall notify the applicant in writing granting the individual certification as a THW and adding the individual to the registry.
(8) Certification is valid for 36 months from the date of certification.
(9) A THW seeking certification renewal shall:
(a) Submit a completed renewal application on an Authority prescribed form no less than 30 days before the expiration of the current certification period;
(b) Pass a background check as described in OAR 950-060-0070;
(c) Provide written verification indicating that the certificate holder meets the applicable requirements for continuing education set forth in OAR 950-060-0050; and
(d) Submit verifiable evidence of completion of an oral health training ;
(e) Completion of an Authority approved oral health training shall need to occur only one time;
(f) An individual applying for renewal as a THW, whose certification lapsed for more than 6 months will be required to take a competency skills test administered by the Authority in addition to providing proof of completion of the number of CEUs required for their worker type.
(10) The Authority shall remove a THW from the registry if the THW fails to renew certification within the three-year renewal period.
(11) THWs removed from the registry following certification expiration shall be denied renewal unless they file an appeal with the Authority within 60 calendar days of certification expiration and are granted an exemption.
Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 413.042, 414.665 & ORS 414.635
Statutes/Other Implemented: 181.537, 414.665 & ORS 414.635
History:
OEI 14-2023, minor correction filed 05/12/2023, effective 05/12/2023
DMAP 40-2023, renumbered from 410-180-0325, filed 05/04/2023, effective 05/04/2023
DMAP 49-2022, amend filed 04/22/2022, effective 04/22/2022
DMAP 80-2018, amend filed 07/06/2018, effective 07/06/2018
DMAP 56-2016, f. 9-30-16, cert. ef. 10-1-16
DMAP 3-2014, f. & cert. ef. 1-15-14
DMAP 42-2013(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 8-2-13 thru 1-29-14