4723-26-02 Standards and procedures for obtaining a certificate to practice as a community health worker.

(A) To obtain a certificate to practice as a community health worker, an applicant who meets the qualifications set forth in division (A) of section 4723.84 of the Revised Code shall:

(1) Submit a completed application on a form specified by the board that includes the requirements set forth in division (A) of section 4723.84 of the Revised Code;

(2) Submit an application fee of thirty-five dollars; and

(3) In accordance with division (B) of section 4723.83 of the Revised Code, submit a request to the bureau of criminal identification and investigation for a criminal records check. The results of the criminal records check shall:

(a) Be received by the board before issuance of a certificate; and

(b) Indicate that the individual has not been convicted of, pleaded guilty to, or had a judicial finding of guilt for any violation set forth in division (A)(4) of section 4723.84 of the Revised Code.

(B) Except as provided in paragraph (D) of this rule, the board shall issue a certificate to practice as a community health worker to applicants who satisfy the requirements of paragraph (A) of this rule, after receipt of both of the following:

(1) Notice that the applicant has successfully completed a community health worker training program from a program approved by the board; and

(2) Attestation from the board-approved training program that the applicant is competent to provide care as a community health worker.

(C) If through no fault of the board, an applicant for a certificate to practice as a community health worker is not determined eligible for a certificate within one year from the time the board receives the application, the application shall be considered void and the fee shall be forfeited. The application shall state the circumstances under which this forfeiture may occur.

(D) For the period of one year following the effective date of this chapter, an individual desiring to be issued a certificate to practice as a community health worker may be issued a certificate to practice by the board providing that all of the following are satisfied:

(1) The individual can document that he or she has worked in a capacity that is substantially similar to a community health worker at some point within the three years immediately prior to February 1, 2005;

(2) A representative of the program at which the individual worked will attest to the fact that:

(a) The individual worked in a program that is substantially similar to a community health worker program approved by the board, within the three years immediately prior to February 1, 2005; and

(b) The individual worked in a capacity that is substantially similar to a community health worker certified by the board in accordance with section 4723.81 of the Revised Code and this chapter;

(3) A notarized written statement is provided to the board attesting to the competency of the individual applying for certification in accordance with this paragraph to provide community health worker services. Such statement shall be provided by either of the following:

(a) An employer or representative of an employer of community health workers certified in accordance with section 4723.81 of the Revised Code and this chapter; or

(b) A former employer or representative of a former employer of the individual as provided in paragraph (D)(2) of this rule.

HISTORY: Eff 2-1-05

Rule promulgated under: RC 119.03

Statutory Authority: 4723.88

Rule Amplifies: 4723.81, 4723.83, 4723.84

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 02/01/2010