Maryland Department of Health
Community Health Workers

​​​Join us!
Contact us at 
MDH.CHW@Maryland.gov. 

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Community Health Workers in Maryland

​CERTIFICATION APPLICATION PERIOD UPDATE:

The deadline individuals to submit an application for community health worker (CHW) certification based on experience was June 30, 2021.   Applications for CHW certification based on experience received by June 30, 2021 will be reviewed.


​Individuals may apply at any time for CHW certification based on the completion of accredited CHW certification training program!  There is no deadline for this pathway. ​

Please visit the web​site for CHW certification based on the completion of an accredited CHW certification training program for information on this pathway to CHW certification.  This website includes a link to a list of accredited CHW training programs.  Please note that this list is updated as new CHW training programs become accredited.


Click here for more information on CHW certification based on the completion of an accredited CHW training program.


For assistance please contact the CHW Team at MDH.CHWApplications@maryland.gov or 410-767-5971. 


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A Community Health Worker (CHW) is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of, or has an unusually close understanding of the community served. This trusting relationship enables a CHW to serve as a liaison to, link to, or intermediary between health and social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. A CHW also builds individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self‐sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, community education, the provision of information to support individuals in the community, social support, and advocacy.

Community health workers go by many titles, depending on where they work, who they work for, and what they do. Common titles include promotores(as) de salud, health coach, community health advisor, community health coach, lay health advocate, family advocate, community health care worker, health educator, liaison, promoter, outreach worker, peer counselor, patient navigator, health interpreter, public health aide, community health representative, outreach specialist, and more.

Maryland's CHW Core Competencies:
1. Advocacy and community capacity building skills
2. Effective oral and written communication skills
3. Cultural competency
4. Understanding of ethics and confidentiality issues
5. Knowledge of local resources and system navigation
6. Care coordination support skills
7. Teaching skills to promote health behavior change
8. Outreach methods and strategies
9. Understanding of public health concepts and health literacy


Contact the CHW Team at MDH.CHWApplications@maryland.gov or 410-767-5971.

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A Community Health Worker (CHW) is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of, or has an unusually close understanding of the community served. This trusting relationship enables a CHW to serve as a liaison to, link to, or intermediary between health and social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. A CHW also builds individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self‐sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, community education, the provision of information to support individuals in the community, social support, and advocacy.

Community health workers go by many titles, depending on where they work, who they work for, and what they do. Common titles include promotores(as) de salud, health coach, community health advisor, community health coach, lay health advocate, family advocate, community health care worker, health educator, liaison, promoter, outreach worker, peer counselor, patient navigator, health interpreter, public health aide, community health representative, outreach specialist, and more.

Maryland's CHW Core Competencies:
1. Advocacy and community capacity building skills
2. Effective oral and written communication skills
3. Cultural competency
4. Understanding of ethics and confidentiality issues
5. Knowledge of local resources and system navigation
6. Care coordination support skills
7. Teaching skills to promote health behavior change
8. Outreach methods and strategies
9. Understanding of public health concepts and health literacy


Contact the CHW Team at MDH.CHWApplications@maryland.gov or 410-767-5971.