Certification Eligibility Requirements
1. General Track
120 credit hours or a Bachelor of Arts degree; 45 credit hours must be from an accredited institution. Other specific education requirements are outlined below:
- At least 20 credit hours must be related to Native American studies. Candidates that are unable to meet these credit hours can substitute CEU training hours (eight classroom hours equal one credit hour).
- At least 20 credit hours must directly support the practice of child welfare (e.g., social work, child development, psychology, chemical dependency).
- Up to five credit hours (eight classroom hours equal one credit hour) can be from a National Indian Child Welfare Assiciation (NICWA) child welfare training institute.
- Successful completion of the NICWA Internet-based ICWA Course.
2. Provisional Certification
Experienced child welfare professionals and/or students of higher education that successfully complete the ICWA Online Course training requirement and pass the certification exam may receive provisional certification status, provided they complete the following within a three year period:
- Tribal endorsement requirements
- Education
- Experience
- Additional specialized training
Once full requirements are met, the individual shall have full certification status so long as they renew their certification at specified intervals and meet all other conditions as set by the Tribal Child Welfare Worker Certification Council (TCWWCC) for a certified tribal child welfare worker in good standing.
3. Employment
- 2,000 hours (approximately one year) of supervised experience in the past two years, and at least 1,500 hours of which should be paid service in a tribal or urban Indian child welfare service provider.
- Up to 500 hours of the employment requirement will be granted if the candidate serves as a licensed foster parent.
- Experience specific to Native American children and families, including family preservation and family support, children's mental health, group homes, adoptions, and prevention services.
4. Letters of Endorsement
The applicant is responsible for arranging three letters of endorsement to be sent directly to NICWA from the endorser:
- Tribal administrator (completes the Cultural Competence checklist in the candidate handbook).
- Supervisor, or other administrator (completes the Skill Standard/Community Activity checklist).
- Community elder, service provider, reference, or sponsor.
5. Skill Standard / Community Activity Checklist
A skill standard checklist will be sent directly to NICWA from the current supervisor in order to acknowledge the candidate's competence in the various areas of tribal child welfare work.
6. Cultural Competency / Cultural Competence Checklist
Candidates will be required to demonstrate and document recognized participation in the tribal social and cultural processes of the tribal community. A cultural competency checklist (in the candidate handbook) will be sent directly to NICWA from the tribal endorser and will be combined with the community activity checklist completed by the candidate's current supervisor (included on the skill standard checklist).
7. Background Check
- Candidates will be required to successfully pass a criminal background check concerning crimes considered by the TCWWCC to be a danger to children.
- Candidates must submit confirmation of background check, if provided by their employer.