1. (a) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to set out the types of certificates issued and the qualifications of applicants.

   1. (1) The Department of State Health Services (department) shall issue promotor(a) or community health worker certificates of competence, instructor certificates, and sponsoring institutions or training program certificates. A certificate will recognize all those who have performed promotor(a) or community health worker services between July 1997 to January 2005 and not less than 1000 cumulative hours between July 1997 to January 2005. A certificate will recognize all those who have successfully completed an entry-level training and certification program.
   2. (2) Certificates shall be signed by the commissioner of the department and presiding officer of the advisory committee. The identification card issued to a promotor(a) or community health worker and instructor shall bear the signature of the commissioner and contain a photo of the promotor(a) or community health worker and instructor.
   3. (3) Any certificate or identification card(s) issued by the department remains the property of the department and shall be surrendered to the department on demand.
   4. (4) A promotor(a) or community health worker and instructor shall carry the original identification card. A sponsoring institution or training program shall display the original certificate at the training or educational site. Photocopies shall not be carried or displayed.
   5. (5) A person certified as a promotor(a) or community health worker shall only allow his or her certificate to be copied for the purpose of verification by employers, professional organizations, and third party payors for credentialing and reimbursement purposes. Other persons and/or agencies may contact the administrator in writing or by phone to verify certification.
   6. (6) No one shall display, present, or carry a certificate or an identification card which has been altered, photocopied, or otherwise reproduced.
   7. (7) No one shall make any alteration on any certificate or identification card issued by the department.
2. (b) Special provisions for persons who have performed promotor(a) or community health worker services between July 1997 to January 2005. Upon submission of the application forms by the practicing promotor(a) or community health worker and upon approval by the department, the department shall issue a certificate of competence to a person who has performed promotor(a) or community health worker services for not less than 1000 cumulative hours between July 1997 to January 2005, as documented on form(s) prescribed by the department.
3. (c) Special provisions for persons who are nationally certified health education specialists in good standing, with experience in instructing or training promotores(as) or community health workers for not less than 1000 cumulative hours between July 1997 to January 2005, other licensed/certified healthcare professionals including social workers in good standing as well as other professionals with Masters degrees in public health, community health or related field, or Bachelors degrees in social services or related field who have acted as instructors of promotores(as) or community health workers, for not less than 1000 cumulative hours between July 1997 to January 2005 and for promotores(as) or community health workers who have acted as supervisors or as trainers and have experience in instructing or training promotores(as) or community health workers for not less than 1000 cumulative hours between July 1997 to January 2005. Upon submission of the application forms by an instructor, other licensed/certified healthcare professional or certified health education specialist, or instructor with Masters/Bachelors degree and upon approval by the department, the department shall issue an instructor certificate to a person who is certified by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc., or who is a licensed/certified healthcare professional, or instructor with Masters/Bachelors degree and to a promotor(a) or community health worker who meets the above qualifications.

4. (d) Minimum eligibility requirements for promotor(a) or community health worker certification. The following requirements apply to all individuals applying for certification who do not meet the requirements of subsection (b) of this section:

   1. (1) attainment of 18 years of age or an eligible and informed minor as determined by the committee;
   2. (2) freedom from physical or mental impairment, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, interferes with the performance of duties or otherwise constitutes a hazard to the health or safety of the persons being served;
   3. (3) submission of a satisfactory completed application on a form supplied by the department; and
   4. (4) successful completion of an approved competency-based training program.

5. (e) Minimum eligibility requirements for instructor certification. The following requirements apply to all individuals applying for certification who do not meet the requirements of subsection (c) of this section:

   1. (1) graduation from high school or its equivalent as determined by the sponsoring institution or the training program or six years of continuous service as a promotor(a) or community health worker;
   2. (2) attainment of 18 years of age or an eligible and informed minor as determined by the committee;
   3. (3) Completion of an instructor/trainer program by an approved sponsoring institution or training program;
   4. (4) freedom from physical or mental impairment, which in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, interferes with the performance of duties or otherwise constitutes a hazard to the health or safety of participants; and
   5. (5) submission of a satisfactory completed application on a form supplied by the department.

6. (f) Minimum eligibility requirements for sponsoring institution or training program certification. The following requirements apply to all institutions or programs applying for certification:

   1. (1) usage of an approved curriculum for promotor(a) or community health worker training, instructor certification and/or for continuing education of promotores(as) or community health workers and instructors that meets the standards and guidelines established by the department and as set forth in §146.8 of this title;
   2. (2) submission of a satisfactory completed application on a form supplied by the department; and
   3. (3) at least two years of experience with training or sponsoring training for promotores(as) or community health workers.

Source Note:The provisions of this §146.7 adopted to be effective July 20, 2000, 25 TexReg 6708; amended to be effective December 1, 2003, 28 TexReg 10226; amended to be effective January 17, 2006, 31 TexReg 289.