(a) The Department may certify an individual to practice as a community health worker in the State.
(b) To qualify for certification, an applicant shall:
(1) (i) Have completed a community health worker training program accredited by the Department under § 13–3705 of this subtitle; or
(ii) Be exempted by the Department from the training required under item (i) of this item; and
(2) Meet any other requirements established by the Department.
(c) To apply for certification as a community health worker, an applicant shall:
(1) Submit an application to the Department on the form that the Department requires; and
(2) Pay any fee and submit any additional materials required by the Department.
(d) The Department shall issue a certificate to any applicant who meets the requirements of subsection (b) of this section.
(e) The Department shall include on each certificate that the Department issues:
(1) The full name of the certificate holder;
(2) The dates of issuance and expiration;
(3) A serial number; and
(4) The signature of the Department’s representative.
(f) (1) The Department shall establish a deadline after which an individual must be certified under this subtitle to make representations to the public that the individual is a certified community health worker.
(2) On or after the date set under paragraph (1) of this subsection, unless certified as a community health worker under this subtitle, an individual may not represent to the public by title that the individual is certified as a community health worker.
(3) An individual who violates paragraph (2) of this subsection is subject to a penalty determined and collected by the Department.