Credentials for CHW

Community Health Workers (CHWs), or promotores de salud, are non-medical public health workers who connect communities to health care and social service providers. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) established the CWH program, in accordance with Health and Safety Code Chapter 48, to operate a program designed to train and educate persons who act as promotoras or CHWs.

CHWs demonstrate skills in the eight core competencies and must meet the following certification requirements:

• Texas resident 
• Must be 16 year old
• Training – Completion of an approved DSHS certified 160-hour competency-based Community Health Worker training program.
  OR
  Experience – At least 1000 cumulative hours of community health work services within the most recent three (3) years. Experience will be verified with the supervisor(s) noted in the application. 

Promotor(a)/Community Health Worker Application for Certification (Word)

Solicitud de Certificación del Promotor(a) de Salud  (Español, Word) 

(Online application is available only in English at this time.)

1. Download instructions 
   Application based on completion of CHW certification training course.
   Application based on CHW experience. 
2. All attachments must be saved in PDF format (photo, certificate of course completion and experience verification form if applicable)
3. Go to the Online Application. **Due to COVID-19, there will be delays with processing applications submitted by mail. Applications submitted via email at CHW@dshs.texas.gov or online will be processed in the order they are received within 90 days. Applications submitted by fax or mail prior to March 17 will need to be resubmitted via email.  

• Signed and dated application with all information completed. A typed or handwritten signature is acceptable. 
  Or complete the online application. (See instructions above.)
• Color photo of the applicant's face, similar to a passport photo.
• Training certificate of completion if applying based on completion of an approved 160-hour competency-based training program certified by DSHS.
• An Employment/Volunteer History verification form (if applicable)  

• There is no cost for certification. 
• Benefits of certification outlines the benefits of certification and what it means to community health workers.
• Application checklist
  
• Photo requirements provides guidelines about submitting photographs as part of the certification application.
  

1. Go to the DSHS Online Licensing Services website.
2. Do not create an account.
3. Go to "license search" found in the Check License Status or Search for a License (CHW certification number) section.
4. Perform a search.
5. 
   

Last updatedFebruary 22, 2021Contact Us | Visitor Information | Compact with Texans | File Viewi