To become certified to be a CHW/CHR in South Dakota, you must be:

• • 18 years old or older
  • Have a high school diploma or GED

You are not eligible for certification if you:

• • Are currently listed on a sex offender registry
  • Have been convicted of any of the following felonies within the past 10 years:
    • Crimes against persons (such as murder, rape, assault, or similar offenses)
    • Financial crimes (such as extortion, embezzlement, income tax evasion, insurance fraud, or similar offenses)
    • Felonies that placed Medicare beneficiaries or the Medicare program at immediate risk
    • Felonies that resulted in mandatory exclusion from Medicare, Medicaid, or another federal healthcare program

If the conviction occurred more than 10 years ago:

• • The Certification Committee may review your application on a case-by-case basis
  • Additional references and supporting documentation may be required

Other Felony Convictions: For felony convictions not listed above (excluding child abuse or sexual abuse convictions).

If the conviction occurred within the past five (5) years:

• • You may still apply
  • You must submit an employer reference explaining why you should be approved for certification
  • The Certification Committee will review the offense and employer recommendation when making a decision

If the conviction occurred more than five (5) years ago:

• • No additional documentation is required
  • However, the Certification Committee may request additional information or references during the review process

** If you believe you meet the eligibility requirements, continue to the application checklist.

For questions about the certification process, go to: https://chwsd.org/certification-faqs/ or email certification@chwsd.org.