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Certification

Certification is a formal recognition of professional competency. It enhances credibility, ensures adherence to standards, promotes continuous professional development, and ultimately provides assurance that child welfare professionals possess the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that ensure the safety, permanency, and well-being of children and families.

Starting in 2026, new workers can earn certification within 12 months of employment by completing New Worker Training, which includes competency-based assessments. Throughout training, counties will be provided with feedback on learners’ progress. During a transitional period, existing workers can obtain certification by passing a knowledge assessment and securing agency endorsement. Certification will then require ongoing recertification through continuing education. A certification process is also being developed for new and existing supervisors.

Certification Pathways

Icons and text describing certification processes for new and existing workers and supervisors.
The image displays a structured diagram with two columns for different certification types. On the left side, there are categories for "New Worker Certification" and "New Supervisor Certification," each with a corresponding icon of a badge containing simplistic line drawings of a person or people outlined in green. The list under "New Worker Certification" includes training, assessment, and simulation components. Similarly, "New Supervisor Certification" lists training, assessment, and simulation tasks. On the right side, "Existing Workers Certification" and "Existing Supervisor Certification" are depicted, each with an icon of people in green, labeled with items focused on endorsement and assessment. Each certification type includes a checklist with numbered components described concisely.

Recertification

Once the certification process is in place, workers and supervisors will need to renew their certification, starting from their initial certification date. Recertification requires 30 hours of continuing education (15 hours per year) through a combination of MNCWTA training and other professional development opportunities.