Hospice Social Worker Certification: CHP-SW and ACHP-SW Guide
The Certified Hospice and Palliative Social Worker (CHP-SW) credential recognizes BSW-level social workers who specialize in end-of-life care. The advanced ACHP-SW is for MSW holders. Both are now administered by the Social Work Hospice and Palliative Care Network (SWHPN) and require documented field experience, continuing education units, and an active state license where applicable.
Most people don’t think about death until they have to. When a terminal diagnosis enters the picture, a family suddenly needs to navigate pain management, advance directives, grief, and family conflict, often all at once, and often without any roadmap. That’s where the hospice and palliative care social worker steps in.
Social workers who choose this path bring a clinical and human services framework to one of the most emotionally demanding corners of healthcare. And for those who want formal recognition of their expertise, there are two certifications built specifically for this specialty: the CHP-SW and the ACHP-SW, both now administered through the Social Work Hospice and Palliative Care Network (SWHPN).
Hospice Care vs. Palliative Care: What’s the Difference?
These two terms get used interchangeably, but they aren’t the same thing. Palliative care is comfort-focused treatment that can be provided at any stage of serious illness, even alongside curative treatment. Hospice care is a specific type of palliative care for patients who’ve stopped pursuing a cure and have a life expectancy of six months or less.
In practice, a social worker in palliative care may work with patients who have been managing a serious chronic illness for years. A hospice social worker is focused on the final phase. The certifications on this page apply to both settings, though the nature of the work shifts depending on where a patient is in the illness trajectory.
What Hospice and Palliative Social Workers Actually Do
The job is more than emotional support. A certified hospice and palliative social worker coordinates practical logistics alongside the psychosocial work. That might mean helping a family understand what to expect in the dying process, connecting them to community resources, or facilitating a family meeting where a patient’s stated wishes are communicated to relatives who aren’t ready to hear them.
Day-to-day responsibilities typically include conducting psychosocial assessments, developing and updating care plans with the interdisciplinary team, coordinating advance care planning, advocating for the patient’s stated preferences, and providing bereavement support to families before and after a death. The social worker is usually the person everyone calls when the situation gets complicated.
CHP-SW and ACHP-SW Certification Requirements
SWHPN offers two certification levels for this specialty: one for bachelor’s-level practitioners, one for master’s-level practitioners. The core requirements overlap in several areas, but the degree and experience thresholds differ.
| Requirement | CHP-SW (BSW Level) | ACHP-SW (MSW Level) |
|---|---|---|
| Degree | BSW from a CSWE-accredited program | MSW from a CSWE-accredited program |
| Professional experience | 3 years post-degree experience in hospice or palliative care | 2 years post-degree experience in hospice or palliative care |
| Continuing education | 20 CEUs in hospice/palliative care within the past 3 years | 20 CEUs in hospice/palliative care within the past 2-3 years (per SWHPN guidelines) |
| State license | An active state license is required for practice. In states without independent BSW licensure, 4 years of experience and 40 CEUs may be accepted instead of licensure. | An active state license is required for practice in your state |
| Ethics agreement | NASW Code of Ethics and Standards for End-of-Life Care | NASW Code of Ethics and Standards for End-of-Life Care |
Once you’ve met the requirements, you apply through SWHPN, submit proof of your qualifications, and pay the certification fee. Both credentials require ongoing continuing education to renew. Requirements are subject to change, so always verify current criteria directly with SWHPN before applying.
The APHSW-C: A Second Certification Path
The SWHPN credentials aren’t the only option in this specialty. The Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC), a program of the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA), offers the Advanced Palliative Hospice Social Worker Certification (APHSW-C). It’s open to both BSW and MSW holders who meet the experience requirements, and it’s exam-based rather than documentation-based.
To qualify, applicants need post-degree professional experience in hospice or palliative care, a passing score on the HPCC exam, and must meet additional eligibility criteria set by the HPCC. BSW applicants need three years of qualifying experience. MSW applicants need two. As with the SWHPN credentials, verify current requirements directly with the HPCC before applying, since eligibility criteria can change.
Both pathways are recognized in the field. Which one makes more sense depends on your career goals, your employer’s preferences, and which credential is more commonly referenced in your practice setting or region.
Education and Licensure Pathway
The entry point for either SWHPN certification is a BSW from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). That gets you to the CHP-SW track after three years in the field. If you’re aiming for the ACHP-SW, you’ll need to continue to an accredited MSW program, which also opens the door to clinical licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). This credential carries weight in both hospice and palliative care settings.
Licensure requirements vary by state. Before you start accumulating field hours, it’s worth confirming what your state requires for a BSW or MSW to practice independently, since that affects which experience counts toward certification eligibility. You can look up your state’s requirements on our home page using the state map.
Hospice and Palliative Social Worker Salary and Job Growth
According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data from May 2024, social workers overall earned a median annual salary of $61,330. Healthcare social workers, the BLS subcategory that includes certified hospice and palliative social workers, earned a median of $68,090. Top earners in this specialty, those in the 90th percentile, reached $100,870 and above. For a broader look at how earnings shift by specialty and degree level, see our guide to social worker salaries.
The employment outlook for this specialty is strong. BLS projections show 9.6% growth in healthcare social worker jobs between 2022 and 2032, with an average of 18,700 job openings per year. Advanced credentials and an MSW generally push earnings toward the higher end of the salary range. Clinical licensure, where applicable, tends to do the same.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between the CHP-SW and ACHP-SW?
The CHP-SW is for BSW-level social workers and requires three years of post-degree experience in hospice or palliative care. The ACHP-SW is for MSW holders and requires two years. Both are administered by SWHPN and require 20 continuing education units in the specialty. The ACHP-SW reflects a higher degree level and typically carries more weight in clinical and advanced practice roles.
Do you need certification to work in hospice social work?
No, certification isn’t legally required. Most positions require a BSW or MSW and an active state license where applicable. The CHP-SW and ACHP-SW are voluntary credentials that signal specialized expertise and can strengthen a job application or support a case for higher pay. SWHPN sets requirements that are subject to change.
How long does it take to qualify for the CHP-SW?
At minimum, three years after earning your BSW, plus completion of 20 continuing education units in hospice and palliative care within the past three years. In states that don’t license BSW practitioners independently, the requirement extends to four years of experience and 40 CEUs before you can apply.
What is the APHSW-C, and how is it different from the SWHPN certifications?
The APHSW-C is issued by the Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC), a program of the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA). It requires passing a formal exam and meeting HPCC eligibility criteria, rather than submitting a documentation portfolio. Both BSW and MSW holders can apply with the right experience. Some employers specifically look for this credential because of the exam component.
Can a BSW work in hospice and palliative care?
Yes, in most states. A BSW can work in hospice and palliative settings and pursue the CHP-SW after meeting the experience and education requirements. In states that restrict independent BSW practice, additional experience and CEU hours are required before applying. An MSW opens more positions, especially in clinical and supervisory roles.
Key Takeaways
- Two certifications cover this specialty: CHP-SW for BSW holders (3 years of experience required) and ACHP-SW for MSW holders (2 years of experience required), both administered by SWHPN.
- Certification is voluntary, not required, but employers value it and can support career advancement and salary conversations.
- Hospice and palliative care are related but distinct. Palliative care spans serious illness at any stage. Hospice is specifically for patients in the final phase of a terminal illness.
- A second certification path exists. The APHSW-C, through the HPCC, is exam-based and open to both BSW and MSW holders with qualifying experience.
- Healthcare social workers earned a median of $68,090, with top earners reaching $100,870 and above, and 9.6% projected job growth through 2032, per BLS data.
Ready to start building toward this credential? Explore accredited BSW and MSW programs in your state to find one that fits your goals and timeline.
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Social Workers, Social and Human Services Assistants, Social and Community Service Managers, and Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed April 2026.
