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

   1. (1) Upon approval of the application, the department shall issue the promotor(a) or community health worker, instructor or sponsoring organization a certificate with an expiration date and a certificate number. An identification card shall be included for a promotor(a) or community health worker or instructor.
   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 organization 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.
   8. (8) The department shall replace a lost, damaged, or destroyed certificate or identification card upon written request.
2. (b) Special provisions for persons who have performed promotor(a) or community health worker services in the previous six years starting from the date the application is signed. 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 in the previous six years starting from the date the application is signed, as documented on form(s) specified by the department.
3. (c) Special provisions for persons with experience in instructing or training individuals providing promotor(a) or community health work services, including promotores or community health workers and other health care paraprofessionals and professionals. Upon submission of the application forms by the instructor and upon approval by the department, the department shall issue a certificate of competence to a person who has provided instruction or training to individuals providing community health work services for not less than 1000 cumulative hours in the previous six years starting from the date the application is signed.

4. (d) Minimum eligibility requirements for promotor(a) or community health worker certification. The following requirements apply to all individuals applying for certification:

   1. (1) attainment of 18 years of age or an eligible and informed minor as determined by the department;
   2. (2) 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 the persons being served; and
   3. (3) submission of a satisfactory completed application on a form supplied by the department.
5. (e) Individuals applying for certification who do not meet the requirements of subsection (b) of this section shall complete a certified competency-based training program by an approved sponsoring organization.

6. (f) Minimum eligibility requirements for instructor certification. The following requirements apply to all individuals applying for certification:

   1. (1) attainment of 18 years of age as determined by the department;
   2. (2) 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
   3. (3) submission of a satisfactory completed application on a form supplied by the department.
7. (g) Individuals applying for certification who do not meet the requirements of subsection (c) of this section shall complete a certified instructor trainer program by an approved sponsoring organization. An individual applying for certification as an instructor may seek certification in one or more of the eight core competencies.

8. (h) Minimum eligibility requirements for certification of a curriculum from a sponsoring organization. The following requirements apply to all organizations applying for certification of a curriculum:

   1. (1) approval and certification of a curriculum for promotor(a) or community health worker training, instructor certification or for continuing education of promotores 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 (relating to Standards for the Approval of Curricula); and
   2. (2) submission of a satisfactory completed application on a form supplied by the department.

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; amended to be effective October 24, 2010, 35 TexReg 9287.