CHW Certification Requirements
Requirements
CHW I
CHW II
Foundational Training
Nevada Certification Board Approved CHW Foundation Training Providers:
• Comagine Health (Employer/Funder contracted)
• High Sierra AHEC (Employer/Funder contracted)
Nevada Certification Board Approved CHW Foundation Training Providers:
• Comagine Health (Employer/Funder contracted)
• High Sierra AHEC (Employer/Funder contracted)
Code of Conduct
Code of Ethics: The applicant must agree to adhere to the Nevada Certification Board’s community health worker specific code of ethics.
Code of Ethics: The applicant must agree to adhere to the Nevada Certification Board’s community health worker specific code of ethics.
Residency
I either live or work in Nevada at least 51% of the time.
I either live or work in Nevada at least 51% of the time.
Additional Training
N/A
Forty-four (44) Additional hours of training in the CHW competencies. See chart below for definitions and descriptions.
• Eight (8) hours of NCB approved training in Behavioral Health (mental health and/or substance use)
• Six (6) hours of NCB approved training in Cultural Competence/Cultural Humility and/or NCB approved ethics training
• 20 Hours of NCB approved general continuing education in the Nevada CHW Competencies (individual choice)
• Eight (8) hours of NCB approved training in Health Equity and/or Community Organizing (may include the social determinants of health (SDOH)
• One (1) hour of approved training in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).
• One (1) hour of NCB approved training 1 hour of self-care/burnout prevention
See chart below for definitions and details
Work or Volunteer Experience A
N/A
450 hours of relevant work experience that related to the NCB CHW Competencies
Work or Volunteer Experience B
N/A
50 hours of closely supervised (and supervisor confirmed) experience in C3 CHW roles and competencies with a minimum of 5 hours of experience in each of the 10 roles and demonstrated skills in each of the 11 C3 competencies.
Initial Certification Fee
$75.00
$150.00
Certification Renewal
A renewal fee of $50 and 20 hours of continuing education in the Nevada CHW Competencies earned every two years, including four (4) hours of training in cultural competency/humility/sensitivity.
A renewal fee of $50 and 20 hours of continuing education in the Nevada CHW Competencies earned every two years, including four (4) hours of training in cultural competency/humility/sensitivity.
Additional Training Requirements for CHW II Certification
Topic
Definition
Behavioral Health
(8 Hours)
Behavioral health: Behavioral disorders, mental health challenges, substance use (including training on specific substances)
Cultural Competence/Cultural Humility and/or Ethics for CHW work
(6 Hours)
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Cultural Humility is an attitude through which an individual learns about other cultures in conjunction with becoming more aware of one’s own beliefs and identities, intended to result in greater mutual understanding, equity, honesty, and trustworthy relationships.” (CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP) Health Equity Glossary)
Ethics: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “As a field of practice, public health ethics is the application of relevant principles and values to public health decision making. In applying an ethics framework, public health ethics inquiry carries out three core functions, namely 1) identifying and clarifying the ethical dilemma posed, 2) analyzing it in terms of alternative courses of action and their consequences, and 3) resolving the dilemma by deciding which course of action best incorporates and balances the guiding principles and values.” CDC, Public Health Ethics
General Education
(20 Hours)
Free choice within the NCB CHW competencies
Health Equity and/or Community Organizing
(may include the social determinants of health (SDOH)
(8 Hours)
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) “Health equity is the state in which everyone has a fair and just opportunity to attain their highest level of health. Achieving this requires focused and ongoing societal efforts to address historical and contemporary injustices; overcome economic, social, and other obstacles to health and healthcare; and eliminate preventable health disparities.” (https://www.cdc.gov/healthequity/)
Social Determinants of Health (SDOH): SDOH are the nonmedical factors that influence health outcomes. They are the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, and the wider set of forces and systems shaping daily life. These forces (e.g., racism, climate) and systems include economic policies and systems, development agendas, social norms, social policies, and political systems. (CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP) Health Equity Glossary)
Community organizing: Community organizing is a set of methods, practices and strategies that address public problems and also strengthen people’s capacity to work together and exercise power. It comes in many flavors, and community organizers hold diverse views about how to do it. Tufts University
HIPPA
(1 Hour)
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)
Health Equity and/or Community Organizing
Self-care/Burnout Prevention
(1 Hour)
Burnout: According to the MAYO Clinic, “Job burnout is a special type of work-related stress — a state of physical or emotional exhaustion that also involves a sense of reduced accomplishment and loss of personal identity. “Burnout” isn’t a medical diagnosis. Some experts think that other conditions, such as depression, are behind burnout. Researchers point out that individual factors, such as personality traits and family life, influence who experiences job burnout. Whatever the cause, job burnout can affect your physical and mental health. Consider how to know if you’ve got job burnout and what you can do about it.” (Job burnout: How to spot it and take action)
Self-care: According to the National Institutes of Health, “Self-care means taking the time to do things that help you live well and improve both your physical health and mental health. When it comes to your mental health, self-care can help you manage stress, lower your risk of illness, and increase your energy. Even small acts of self-care in your daily life can have a big impact.*
*Here are some tips to help you get started with self-care
Get regular exercise. Just 30 minutes of walking every day can help boost your mood and improve your health. Small amounts of exercise add up, so don’t be discouraged if you can’t do 30 minutes at one time.
Eat healthy, regular meals and stay hydrated. A balanced diet and plenty of water can improve your energy and focus throughout the day. Also, limit caffeinated beverages such as soft drinks or coffee.
Make sleep a priority. Stick to a schedule, and make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Blue light from devices and screens can make it harder to fall asleep, so reduce blue light exposure from your phone or computer before bedtime.
Try a relaxing activity. Explore relaxation or wellness programs or apps, which may incorporate meditation, muscle relaxation, or breathing exercises. Schedule regular times for these and other healthy activities you enjoy such as journaling.
Set goals and priorities. Decide what must get done now and what can wait. Learn to say “no” to new tasks if you start to feel like you’re taking on too much. Try to be mindful of what you have accomplished at the end of the day, not what you have been unable to do.
Practice gratitude. Remind yourself daily of things you are grateful for. Be specific. Write them down at night, or replay them in your mind.
Focus on positivity. Identify and challenge your negative and unhelpful thoughts.
Stay connected. Reach out to your friends or family members who can provide emotional support and practical help. Self-care looks different for everyone, and it is important to find what you need and enjoy. It may take trial and error to discover what works best for you. In addition, although self-care is not a cure for mental illnesses, understanding what causes or triggers your mild symptoms and what coping techniques work for you can help manage your mental health.” (NIH)
Additional Resource: For other ideas for healthy practices for your mind, body, surroundings, and relationships, see the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Wellness Toolkits .