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CHW Instructor Renewal

CHW Instructor Renewal Application

You must meet these requirements to renew your Community Health Worker (CHW) certification: 

  • Be a current Texas resident,  
  • Submit a renewal application every 2 years.
  • Complete 20 hours of continuing education units (CEUs) every two years. 
  • Submit a color photo- Photo Requirements

CHW Instructor Renewal Application

Instructor Application for Certificate Renewal [Word] 

Solicitud de Renovación del Certificado del Instructor [en español] 


CHW Instructor Renewal Requirements Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

Your CHW Instructor certificate renewal requires continuing education units. You must renew your CHW Instructor certification every two years. A total of 20 hours of continuing education units (CEUs) is required for the CHW Instructor certification renewal. 

At least ten hours of continuing education must come from participation in a DSHS-approved Instructor training program. These are called DSHS-certified Instructor continuing education hours (CEU) or DSHS-certified Instructor CEUs.

 There are four types of CEUs.  

  • DSHS-certified CEUs for CHW instructors. These CEUs are approved by the CHW program.
  • CEUs completed for another Texas license or certification in another health profession. These must be related to the CHW core competencies. 
  • CEUs are completed through the instruction of a DSHS-approved training course delivered to promotores, CHs, or instructors in a DSHS–certified training program based on one hour of credit given for two clock hours. The maximum allowed is up to 5 DSHS-certified CEUs for CHW Instructors which equals 10 hours of instruction in a DSHS–certified training program. (1 CEU = 2 clock hours of instruction.
  •  Non-certified CEUs. CEUs from training programs and instructors that we did not certify. These must be related to one or more of the core competencies.

You can combine the CEUs in a few different ways.  

Option 1:

  • All CEUs completed are DSHS certified for CHW Instructors.

At least 10 hours of DSHS-certified CEUs for CHW Instructors are mandatory. You can combine either as Option 2 or Option 3 below.

Option 2:

  • 5 DSHS certified CEUs for CHW Instructors
  • Up to 5 hours of continuing education you did to renew a Texas license or certification in another health profession other than CHW certification in Texas
  • The remaining 10 CEUs also referred to as non-DSHS certified continuing education may come from other training that relates to one or more of the CHW core competencies, including training programs and instructors not certified by DSHS. You may combine non-certified and DSHS-certified CEUs to equal 10 CEUs.

Option 3:

  • 5 DSHS certified CEUs for CHW Instructors
  • Up to 5 hours of instruction of a DSHS-approved training course delivered to promotores, CHWs, or instructors in a DSHS–certified training program based on one hour of credit given for two clock hours taught. The maximum allowed is up to 5 DSHS-certified CEUs for CHW Instructors which equals 10 hours of instruction (1 CEU = 2 clock hours of instruction).
  •  The remaining 10 CEUs also referred to as non-DSHS certified continuing education may come from other training that relates to one or more of the CHW core competencies, including training programs and instructors not certified by DSHS. You may combine non-certified and DSHS-certified CEU’s to equal 10 CEUs.

Option 4:

  • Ten (10) DSHS-certified CEUs for CHW instructors
  • The remaining 10 CEUs also referred to as non-DSHS certified continuing education may come from other training that relates to one or more of the CHW core competencies, including training programs and instructors not certified by DSHS. You may combine non-certified and DSHS-certified CEU’s to equal 10 CEUs.

 

How do I find my CHW Instructor certification number and/or expiration date?

  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.

Do you need extra time to complete your CEUs?

You may request an extension of up to 90 days in writing before your certification expires. Only one extension is allowed per two-year certification period.  Your written request must be mailed or emailed (chw@dshs.texas.gov), including your name and CHW Instructor certification number.

Has your certification been expired for less than a year?

You may renew your expired CHW Instructor certification by completing the required continuing education units (CEUs), submitting the CHW Instructor renewal application, and a photo if your certificate has expired for one year or less. Your certification will expire two years from the date the previous certification expired.

Has your certification been expired for more than a year?

You may re-apply if your certification has been expired for more than one year. You must submit an initial application for CHW Instructor certification for approval if you wish to regain your certification.

Contact the DSHS-certified CHW Training Programs for upcoming continuing education courses for CHW instructors in your area. You can also visit the Education Calendar or the online continuing education courses for CHW Instructors