CHW Core Skills Training Program

Are you:

Early (under 5 years) in your CHW Career or interested in starting a CHW Career?
Dedicated to the health of your community and want to help?
Interested in learning more about how to be a leader and support your community’s wellbeing?

We want YOU! Join us for the CHW Core Skills Training Program.

You will learn these skills: Interpersonal and Relationship Building, Service Coordination and Navigation, Communication, Group Facilitation, Capacity Building, Outreach and Education, Individual and Community Assessment, Professional Skills and Conduct, and a strong CHW Knowledge base.

This program is an online training you do at your own pace and on your own time. Approximate time commitment to complete the course is 90 hours spread out over 3 months. Estimated commitment per week is 10-15 hours.

Dates for new classes start throughout the calendar year (approximately every 4-5 months).
- Information for the next Core Skills training course and application process will be posted here when available.
- To be added to a notification email list, please email Rachel Black reblack@utah.gov

In addition to taking this course through the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, there are several host sites that also offer our Core Skills curriculum. The certificate you receive is the same. You can contact these organizations for starting dates and class availability:

Southern Utah University https://www.suu.edu/learnandwork/health/
AUCH - Association for Utah Community Health https://www.auch.org/
Utah Refugee Training Education Center - Phone: 801-618-5096; Email: refugeeoffice@utah.gov
Utah State University - Moab extension https://statewide.usu.edu/news/2021/moab/2021-06-16-moab-community-healthcare
Additional host sites to be added soon.

CHW Exemption Based on Experience (formerly the Grandfathering Option)

This exemption option ended on 12/31/2023. It is no longer available. If you have any questions, please contact Rachel Black at reblack@utah.gov

What is CHW state certification?

CHW state certification was established by a bill (R380-350. Community Health Worker Certification). This bill provides the state certification and outlines certification requirements.

As you consider becoming a state certified CHW, please review the requirements here. State certification is completely voluntary; it is not required to work as a CHW in Utah. Some employers, however, may require state certification to work as a CHW in their organization. To apply, please visit this page

What do I do if I have questions?

Contact: Rachel Black reblack@utah.gov