- Application fee
- $50
- Training
- 75 hours, approved program
- Experience
- 1 year or 2,000 hours
- Supervision
- 60 hours
- Exam
- No exam
- Renewal
- Every 2 years, 30 hours
A certification for community health workers: trusted people who help improve health in the communities they live in or share ethnicity, language, socioeconomic status or life experiences with. As a CCHW, you connect people to health and social services, provide culturally appropriate health education, and advocate for individual and community health.
Is this certification right for me?
It's a fit if you work or volunteer as a community health worker, outreach worker, patient navigator or promotor(a) de salud, connecting people in your community with health care and services.
Consider a different certification if you want to use your own lived experience of substance use recovery (see Certified Recovery Specialist) or mental health recovery (see Certified Peer Specialist), or you support families through pregnancy and birth (see Certified Perinatal Doula).
Requirements
All requirements must be met and documented before you apply.
75 hours of education from a PCB-approved CHW training program
Completed within the last five years with one of the approved training vendors. Send your certificate of completion with your application.One year of community health worker experience
One year full-time or 2,000 hours part-time, paid or volunteer, providing services specific to the CCHW domains, within the last five years. Experience can come from more than one organization. Document previous positions with a letter on letterhead from the organization, not a resume.Current volunteer or job description
From your current organization, signed and dated by you and your immediate supervisor. It must show community health worker competencies as a primary function. An official position description on organization letterhead is also accepted.60 hours of on-the-job supervision
Supervision of your qualifying experience, specific to the CCHW domains, documented by your supervisor(s) on the supervision page of the application. PCB has no requirements for who supervises you, and more than one person can provide it.Live or work in Pennsylvania
At the time you apply.
Your journey
Complete 75 hours of accredited CHW training
With a PCB-approved CHW training provider. Keep your certificate of completion.
Build your experience and supervision
One year full-time or 2,000 hours part-time as a community health worker, with 60 hours of on-the-job supervision.
Gather your documents
Your training certificate, signed volunteer or job description, any previous-employer letters and your supervision documentation.
Apply online or by PDF
Apply through your online account and pay by credit card, or send the PDF application by mail, email or fax. Online is fastest.
Review: up to 10 business days
You're certified
There is no exam. After your application is approved and a PCB representative enters your credential into the database, your certificate follows within 10 business days, and your certification lasts two years from the approval date.
Fees
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Application (includes first exam attempt) | $50 |
| Renewal | $75 |
| Paper certificate (optional) | $20 |
Half the application fee is refunded if your application is denied. Training costs are set by each training provider.
The exam
There is no exam for the CCHW. You are certified once PCB approves your application. Your training, experience and supervision must cover the eight CCHW domains:
- Community health concepts
- Advocacy and capacity building
- Care coordination
- Health literacy and education
- Safety and self-care
- Cultural competency
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Ethical responsibilities and professionalism
Accredited training providers
Your 75 hours must come from a PCB-accredited CHW training provider:
- CEimpact
- Community College of Philadelphia
- Harrisburg Area Community College
- Fabric Health
- Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center (PA AHEC)
- Jefferson Community Health Collaborative - CHW
- Maternity Care Coalition
- Maternity Care Coalition CHW: Perinatal Community Health Worker Training
- Pathways Community HUB Institute
- Public Health Management Corporation
- Temple University of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
- Temple University Harrisburg (CCHW)
- UPMC Health Plan: Freedom House
- Drexel Center for Nonviolence and Social Justice: CHW
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia - Center for Health Equity
- West Chester University - College of Health Sciences - CCHW
- Wider Circle: CCHW
- Empowered Communities | George Mason University
- IMPaCT Care – Community Health Workers
- Lenfest Center for Community Workforce Partnerships
Training organizations can apply to become accredited: CHW training accreditation application.
Keeping your certification current
The CCHW renews every two years. You need 30 hours of education relevant to community health, including 3 hours in ethics, plus the renewal fee.
Recertification requirements and fees
Since January 1, 2026 there is no "lapsed" status: a credential is active or expired.
Common questions about the CCHW
Does volunteer work count toward the CCHW?
Yes. You need one year full-time or 2,000 hours part-time of paid or volunteer work as a community health worker, within the last five years.
Is there an exam for the CCHW?
No. You are certified once PCB approves your application. Your two-year certification period starts on the approval date.
Where can I get the 75 hours of CCHW training?
From a PCB-accredited CHW training provider; see the list of accredited providers on this page. The training must be completed within the last five years.
Do I have to live or work in Pennsylvania to be eligible for most of the credentials offered by PCB?
YES
Should I submit all documentation with full application and fee at the same time?
YES, if a test is required you will be notified of future dates, locations and times after approval of application.