Community Health Worker or Promotor(a) Training and Certification Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Please refer to the DSHS Community Health Worker or Promotor(a) Training and Certification Program website for the most up-to-date information. The following questions are frequently submitted to the Office of Border Public Health Promotor(a) de Salud/Community Health Worker Training Center about the DSHS Community Health Worker or Promotor(a) Training and Certification Program.

CHW/CHWI Certification

1. What does it mean to be a certified Community Health Worker (CHW) or Community Health Worker Instructor (CHWI) in the state of Texas?
   1. CHW or Promotores de Salud Certification Requirements
   2. CHW Instructor Certification Requirements

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

2. What is the difference between Non-certified Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and DSHS-certified CEUs?
3. Can a certified CHW from Texas, receive credit for attending CHW training in a different state like New Mexico (and vice versa)? 
4. Can I claim any CEUs that I received before I was officially certified as a certified CHW/CHWI by the DSHS CHW or Promotor(a) Training and Certification Program?

Certification Renewal

5. How many DSHS-certified and/or Non-certified CEUs do I need to renew my CHW/CHI Certification?
   1. CHW Certification Renewal
   2. CHW Instructor Certification Renewal
6. Where can I access DSHScertified training to complete my hours?

1. What does it mean to be a certified Community Health Worker/Community Health Worker Instructor (CHW/CHWI) in the state of Texas?

   Certification by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) as a Community Health Worker (CHW) or Promotor(a) is mandatory for a promotor(a) or CHW who provides services for compensation. This is a requirement per the Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 48.

   Please visit the DSHS CHW or Promotor(a) Training and Certification Program CHW Certification Requirements website for more information about requirements for CHW or Promotores de Salud and CHW Instructor Certifications.

   To become certified, you must apply with the DSHS CHW or Promotor(a) Training and Certification Program. There is no cost for certification.




2. What is the difference between Non-certified Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and DSHS-certified CEUs?

   DSHS-certified CEUs are continuing education units from materials that have been reviewed and approved by DSHS and taught by a certified instructor under an approved training program, as stated in the Texas DSHS CHW or Promotor(a) Training and Certification Program Policy, Section B. Definitions (page 2). In order for CEUs to be provided as DSHS-certified CEUs, the Promotor(a) or Community Health Worker Training and Certification Program must:
   • Certify the training program (i.e., the OBPH Training Center is a certified training program)
   • Certify the curricula, and
   • Certify the instructor providing the CEUs.

   Non-certified CEUs are continuing education units obtained through the direct application of education or training from material that has not been reviewed by DSHS but is still within the scope of a promotor(a)/CHW or CHW Instructor and covers at least one of the core competencies as stated in the Texas DSHS CHW or Promotor(a) Training and Certification Program Policy, Section B. Definitions. 



3. Can a certified CHW from Texas, receive credit for attending CHW training in a different state like New Mexico (and vice versa)?

   If a certified CHW from Texas completes a course for continuing education in another state, that would be counted as non-certified CEU hours. Please visit New Mexico’s Office of Community Health Workers (OCHW) website and/or email them at Comm.HealthWorker@state.nm.us for more information on their policies.



4. Can I claim any CEUs that I received before I was officially certified as a certified CHW/CHWI by the DSHS CHW or Promotor(a) Training and Certification Program?

   No, because with the certificate renewal, the certified CHW/CHWI CEUs must be completed within the 2 years of when they were first certified or of their last expiration date. If you become certified tomorrow, you cannot claim certified CEUs completed prior to the date when you are certified.



5. How many DSHS-certified and/or Non-certified CEUs do I need to renew my CHW/CHWI Certification?

   CHWs and CHWIs are required to complete 20 CEUs for renewal every 2 years.

   CHW Certification Renewal:
   Texas DSHS CHW or Promotor(a) Training and Certification Program-CHW Certification Renewal Requirements website provides the Possible Breakdown of CEUs for CHWsRenewing:

   To find the Texas DSHS CHW renewal application in both English and Spanish, refer to their website: /sites/default/files/chw/CertRenewal.aspx

   CHW Instructor Certification Renewal:
   Texas DSHS CHW or Promotor(a) Training and Certification Program-CHW Instructor Certification Renewal Requirements provide the Possible Breakdown of CEUs for CHWIs Renewing:

   To find the Texas DSHS CHW Instructor renewal application in both English and Spanish, refer to the CHW or Promotor(a) Training and Certification website.



6. Where can I access DSHS-certified training to complete my hours?

   Please refer to the CHW or Promotor(a) Training and Certification website to view the DSHS-Certified Training Programs Offering CHW continuing education courses.