Hospice Workers

Certification or Licensing

The certification or licensing requirements are determined by the medical specialty or professional career that you wish to pursue. Some associations provide hospice-related certification credentials. For example, theAmerican Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine offers certification to physicians who specialize in hospice and palliative care, as well a certification credential for hospice medical directors. The National Association of Social Workers offers the advanced certified hospice and palliative social worker certification and other credentials. The Board of Chaplaincy Certification Inc., an affiliate of the Association of Professional Chaplains, offers the board certified chaplain and associate certified chaplain credentials. The Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association offers a variety of credentials, including the certified hospice and palliative nurse, advanced certified hospice and palliative nurse, certified hospice and palliative pediatric nurse, and certified hospice and palliative pediatric nurse credentials. Certification is also offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and other nursing organizations. Licensing is also required for nurses, physicians, and other health care workers.

The hospice itself is usually licensed by the department of health of each state (more than 40 states license hospice programs) and certified by Medicare and Medicaid.