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THW Recertification Requirements

Every three (3) years, all Traditional Health Workers (CHWs, PSSs, PWSs, PHNs, Birth Doulas) must complete the required Continuing Education (CE) hours to be eligible to renew their THW certification.

Continuing Education (CE) hours are educational hours that contribute to a THW's ongoing professional development, and maintain their THW certification(s).
1 CE = 1 contact hour
1 CEU = 10 contact hours. Ex: 3 CEUs = 30 contact hours
1 credit hour = 15 contact hours. Ex: A 3 credit college course would be 45 contact hours.

CEs may be received from:

  1. Any training/class/presentation/conference/professional gathering that support the individual THW's Scope of Practice (click here to access the THW Toolkit which contains each THW Scope of Practice); or
  2. OHA approved THW CE training programs; or
  3. Additional trainings offered by OHA approved THW training programs.
**Reminder: It is your responsibility to keep records of the CEs you obtain as they are required for recertification (example: certificate of completion or transcript).
If you are unsure if a training meets CE requirements for your worker type, e-mail a brief description of the training and the training name to THW.Program@oha.oregon.gov for approval.

​How soon can I submit my recertification application? 

THWs can start a re-certification application up to 90 days before their certification expires in the Health Workforce Registry.

Are you able to extend the expiration date of my certification? 

Unfortunately, we are not able to extend an expiration date due to Chapter 950 Division 60 Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs). It can take six (6) weeks or more to process your application, so it is encouraged you to submit your application early to avoid a lapse in your certification.

Can a class/training/workshop from five years ago count as a Continuing Education hours? 

No, only CE hours collected during the past three (3) years are eligible.

My certification has been expired for more than 6 months; can I still renew? 

Yes, but you will need to take a Competency Test in addition to completing the CE requirements for your worker type (scroll to worker type for the competency test links).

Will I need to get another background check for re-certification? 

Yes, all THWs are required to get a background check with every renewal. However, if multiple certifications are being renewed within the same year, only one background check needs to be submitted. 

Can I submit a foundational training in lieu of CEs? 

No, CEs are required for recertification. This is written in the Chapter 950 Division 60 OARs.

How early can I start applying for my recertification? 

If you try to start an application before 90 days, it will say "no certification found." 


​At least 20 hours of Continuing Education hours (CEs) during every three-year renewal period

  • ​Any educational hours that support the Birth Doula scope of work. Please collect proof of completion w​ith CE hours, name, date, and training organization

  • OHA appro​ved THW CE training programs found on our THW Training Programs webpage or any OHA approved event or training

  • Additional trainings offered by OHA approved THW training programs ​​

At least three (3) of the 20 hours must be from suicide risk assessment, treatment, and management appropriate to the birth doula scope of work.

A current CPR certification for children/infants and adults

COMPETENCY TEST – (only take if birth doula certification has been expired 6 months or more)

​

​At least 20 hours of Continuing Education hours (CEs) during every three-year renewal period ​

  • ​Any educational hours that support the CHW scope of work. Please collect proof of completion with CE hours, name, date, and training organization
  • OHA approved THW CE training programs found on our THW Training Programs webpage or any OHA approved event or training
  • Additional trainings offered by OHA-approved THW training programs
At least three of the 20 hours must be from suicide risk assessment, treatment, and management appropriate to the CHW scope of work.

COMPETENCY TEST – (only take if CHW certification has been expired 6 months or more)

​​At least 20 hours of Continuing Education hours (CEs) during every three-year renewal period 

  • Any educational hours that support the PSS scope of work. Please collect proof of completion with CE hours, name, date, and training organization
  • OHA approved THW CE training programs found on our THW Training Programs webpage or any OHA approved event or training
  • Additional trainings offered by OHA-approved THW training programs
​At least three of the 20 hours must be from suicide risk assessment, treatment, and management appropriate to the PSS scope of work.
COMPETENCY TEST – (only take if PSS-AA and/or PSS-MH certification has been expired 6 months or more)

​At least 40 hours of Continuing Education hours (CEs) during every three-year renewal period 

  • Any educational hours that support the PWS scope of work. Please collect proof of completion with CE hours, name, date, and training organization
  • OHA approved THW CE training programs found on our THW Training Programs webpage or any OHA approved event or training
  • Additional trainings offered by OHA-approved THW training programs ​
​At least three of the 40 hours must be from suicide risk assessment, treatment, and management appropriate to the PSS scope of work.
The use of lived experience and ethical practice must be a topic included within the 40 hours

COMPETENCY TEST - PSS-Youth Support Specialist ONLY (only take if certification has been expired 6 months or more)
COMPETENCY TEST - PSS-Family Support Specialist ONLY (only take if certification has been expired 6 months or more)

​At least 20 hours of Continuing Education hours (CEs) during every three-year renewal period 

  • Any educational hours that support the PWS scope of work. Please collect proof of completion with CE hours, name, date, and training organization
  • OHA approved THW CE training programs found on our THW Training Programs webpage or any OHA approved event or training
  • Additional trainings offered by OHA-approved THW training programs
​At least three of the 20 hours must be from suicide risk assessment, treatment, and management appropriate to the PWS scope of work.

COMPETENCY TEST – PWS-Adult Mental Health or PWS Adult Addictions certification (only take if certification has been expired 6 months or more)

​At least 40 hours of Continuing Education hours (CEs) during every three-year renewal period 

  • Any educational hours that support the PHN scope of work. Please collect proof of completion with CE hours, name, date, and training organization
  • OHA approved THW CE training programs found on our THW Training Programs webpage or any OHA approved event or training
  • Additional trainings offered by OHA-approved THW training programs​
​At least three (3) of the 40 hours must be from suicide risk assessment, treatment, and management appropriate to the PWS scope of work.

COMPETENCY TEST - PWS-Youth Support or PWS-Family Support certification (only take if certification has been expired 6 months or more)

​At least 20 hours of Continuing Education hours (CEs) during every three-year renewal period. 

  • Any educational hours that support the PHN scope of work. Please collect proof of completion with CE hours, name, date, and training organization
  • OHA approved THW CE training programs found on our THW Training Programs webpage or any OHA approved event or training
  • Additional trainings offered by OHA-approved THW training programs
​At least three of the 20 hours must be from suicide risk assessment, treatment, and management appropriate to the PHN scope of work.

CE requirements are determined by Oregon Administrative Rules (950-060-0050)