Community Health Workers (CHWs) in the state of Texas must be certified. Certification is comprised of completion of 160 hours of coursework in eight core competencies.

AHEC offers CHW training that can lead to certification. The training is conducted live in a virtual online classroom, so you can take the training via the internet without having to leave your home or place of work. Once you have enrolled, you will have access to the online classroom for the course.

CHW training is approximately 12 weeks long and costs $1000.  Upcoming class start dates are:

• Oct. 16, 2012

Tuition can be paid in full or in payments. If you choose to the installment plan contact Isaac Mancillas at 409-933-0021 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for a payment schedule. For questions about the CHW training contact Crystal Ellison, CHW Coordinator at 409-933-0021 ext. 105 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Once you’ve completed the training, you will be eligible to apply to the Department of State Health Services for certification.

Maintain Your Community Health Worker Certificate

Each community health worker has to renew their CHW certification every two years. Continuing Education (CE) is required for renewal. CE is intended to maintain and improve the quality of professional services provided by community health workers and instructors and to keep these individuals knowledgeable of current programs, techniques and practices.

A summary of renewal requirements can be found at: (http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/mch/chw.shtm) SEE LINK FOR Requirements for Certification and Renewal

20 contact hours of continuing education every two years

• At least 10 hours of continuing education must come from participation in a DSHS certified Instructor training program.
  OR
• At least 5 hours of continuing education through participation in a DSHS certified Instructor training program AND up to 5 hours satisfied through continuing education counted toward the renewal of a Texas license or certification in another health profession.
  
  OR
• At least 5 hours of continuing education through participation in a DSHS certified Instructor training program AND up to 5 hours satisfied through instruction in DSHS certified training programs or promotores, community health workers, or instructors based on one hour of credit given for 2 clock hours actually taught.
• The remaining 10 hours may come from training programs and instructors not certified by DSHS that relate to one or more of the core competencies or through other verifiable self study, such as reading materials, audio materials, audiovisual materials or a combination. A list of resources may be found at (http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/library/chw.shtm)

Cost: There is no cost for certificate renewal.

AHEC offers both DSHS certified CE and non-DSHS certified continuing education courses. Our CEUs are offered in a face-to-face format as well as in our online virtual classroom. The student can choose to come to class in person or participate via the virtual online classroom. The cost of each CE course is $20.

For questions about the CEU trainings contact Crystal Ellison, 409-933-0021 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .