Direct Care Worker Credential Pilot

IMPART Alliance is working with the Corporation for a Skilled Workforce (CSW), Global Skills Exchange (GSX), and dozens of direct care workers (DCWs) to create a new industry-recognized Certified Direct Care Worker credential for direct care workers in Michigan. This work builds on Michigan’s 15 DCW Core Competency Guidelines and marks a major step toward professional recognition and respect for this essential workforce.

Help Us Pilot the Credentialing Tests

We are now at the point where we are ready to pilot credentialing tests, which requires your expertise and help. Please consider joining DCWs all across the state by participating in this critical phase. And forward this email to as many DCWs as possible. It is an opportunity for all DCWs to work together to shape the future of direct care work.

Every DCW who completes this very brief Interest Form by November 14 and qualifies to pilot a credentialing test will be entered into a random drawing for a chance to receive one of fifty $100 gift cards. Click here to complete the Interest Form.

Please note that all responses will be kept confidential and stored securely following academic research standards.

The Certification Framework

It consists of 4 separate credentials that each require pilot testers. They each indicate that practical, job-relevant skills that align with real-world industry needs have been mastered, and include:

  • Direct Care Worker Fundamentals – covers the basic competencies that all DCWs should have, such as person-centered thinking, communication skills, professional boundaries, HIPAA requirements, body mechanics, and documentation.
  • Direct Care Worker Advanced Fundamentals – covers several topics in more detail, such as working with people with dementia or intellectual and developmental disabilities.
  • Home and Direct Care Specialist – covers providing support with Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) such as meal preparation and housekeeping.
  • Personal Direct Care Specialist – covers the personal hands-on Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such as bathing, transferring, and dressing.

DCW CALL for Pilot Testers

We are seeking several hundred motivated DCWs who have work experience that matches the credentials above to take just one of the tests.

Pilot Test Details: The pilot tests will be administered online during three weeks in December 2025. Tests can be accessed from a computer, tablet, or mobile device. We estimate that this will take approximately 5 hours, ideally completed in one sitting, at a time that fits your schedule. Our team will use data from the pass/fail results to determine the final test questions. Testers will not receive their test scores so that they can be eligible to take the actual tests in the future to earn credentials or become a Certified Direct Care Worker.

Interested participants can complete a brief Interest Form found here.

EMPLOYER CALL for DCW Standard Setters

We are also seeking 20 individuals to be Pilot Testers who are considered excellent DCWs, the best and most knowledgeable, who would, without doubt, be able to successfully become a fully Certified Direct Care Worker. This is a great way to reward stellar DCWs and help them advance their careers, as they will receive a stipend and be issued an honorary CDCW certificate. Please help us identify these DCWs within the next 2 weeks and receive special recognition. Contact us at impart@msu.edu for details. DCWs selected for this role will be contacted by IMPART Alliance directly with instructions.

Standard Setter Details: The first step of being a Standard Setter is to take two assigned pilot tests instead of one during the early pilot window running from December 1- December 5, 2025. Standard Setters can take the pilot tests anytime during that window and from any device with internet access, including a personal computer, tablet, or cell phone. Testing will occur on a testing platform called CABEM (more information to follow). Depending on the credentials they have been selected to take, the tests can take anywhere from 3.5 to 4.5 hours. Participants will be notified of final testing times and should expect to complete each test in one sitting.

In addition to taking the two pilot tests, Standard Setters will be asked to attend a two-day workshop (8:00 am – 5:00 pm) in East Lansing, MI, on December 16th and 17th. During this workshop, they will work with others to determine the passing score for the two tests they have piloted. Each participant will receive a stipend, and costs associated with overnight stays for the two-day session will be covered by IMPART Alliance.

Next Steps:

  • Selected Standard Setters should look for an email from IMPART Alliance in the next couple of weeks entitled “Next Steps” that will have more information about the content covered on the test, as well as how to get set up in the testing platform.
  • Block off two 5-hour time slots on their calendar between December 1-7 that work best for them to take the two pilot tests.
  • Plan to be in East Lansing for two full days on December 16th & December 17th.

In the meantime, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team at impart@msu.edu.

Thank you for seriously considering participation in this historic opportunity!

This project has been made possible through a grant awarded to IMPART Alliance by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.