1. (a) The Department may certify an individual to practice as a community health worker in the State.

2. (b) To qualify for certification, an applicant shall:

   1. (1)

      1. (i) Have completed a community health worker training program accredited by the Department under § 13-3705 of this subtitle; or
      2. (ii) Be exempted by the Department from the training required under item (i) of this item; and
   2. (2) Meet any other requirements established by the Department.

3. (c) To apply for certification as a community health worker, an applicant shall:

   1. (1) Submit an application to the Department on the form that the Department requires; and
   2. (2) Pay any fee and submit any additional materials required by the Department.
4. (d) The Department shall issue a certificate to any applicant who meets the requirements of subsection (b) of this section.

5. (e) The Department shall include on each certificate that the Department issues:

   1. (1) The full name of the certificate holder;
   2. (2) The dates of issuance and expiration;
   3. (3) A serial number; and
   4. (4) The signature of the Department's representative.

6. (f)

   1. (1) The Department shall establish a deadline after which an individual must be certified under this subtitle to make representations to the public that the individual is a certified community health worker.
   2. (2) On or after the date set under paragraph (1) of this subsection, unless certified as a community health worker under this subtitle, an individual may not represent to the public by title that the individual is certified as a community health worker.
   3. (3) An individual who violates paragraph (2) of this subsection is subject to a penalty determined and collected by the Department.

Added by Acts 2018, c. 441, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2018.