Online CHW Instructor Certification Course

New and Improved Course for 2026!

Online CHW Instructor Certification Course

Teach and lead from the front of the room. Train CHWs. Scale Your Impact!

Course Description

Become a certified Community Health Worker (CHW) Instructor equipped not only to teach—but to lead, coach, and build high-quality CHW training programs grounded in equity, adult learning, and real-world practice.  This hybrid certification program teaches the 8 CHW Trainer competencies and prepares experienced CHWs and public health professionals to confidently instruct, mentor, and support CHWs using a nationally relevant, competency-based training model developed by Umemba Health.

The CHW Instructor Certification Course is a comprehensive, hybrid learning experience designed for individuals who are ready to step into formal CHW teaching and leadership roles.

 All CHW Instructor candidates are automatically enrolled in:  
✔️ *The CHW Certification Course
✔️ The CHW Instructor Certification Course

This stacked model ensures instructors understand both:  
WHAT CHWs need to learn, and HOW CHWs learn best.

*The CHW Instructor Exception Course is an enrollment option for individuals who are already certified as Community Health Workers (CHWs) or who live in a state where CHW Instructor certification is not required. This pathway allows qualified professionals to move forward without duplicating prior certification requirements. If you are interested in this option, select “Exception Course” at checkout. The Exception Course is offered at half the cost of the full CHW Instructor Certification Course.

Who is This Course For

This program is ideal for:

  • Experienced Community Health Workers
  • CHW Supervisors and Program Managers
  • Public health professionals training CHWs
  • Workforce Development Staff
  • Health educators
  • Individuals planning to launch or expand CHW training programs

If you’ve ever thought, “I know the work, but I want to become a stronger trainer”, this course was built for you.
What Makes This Course Different
 
 Umemba Health is the only organization licensing CHW certification curriculum and one of the few approved by Texas DSHS to train and certify both CHWs and CHW Instructors.
 
This program is grounded in:

  • 5+ years of CHW training experience
  • 5,000+ CHWs trained
  • Deep CHW ecosystem expertise 
  • Instructional design and adult learning science
  • Lived experience and mission-driven leadership

You are not just earning a credential, you are stepping into a true trainer identity.

Program Structure & Format

Hybrid delivery designed for working professionals:  

🖥️ Mostly online & self-paced  
🎥 On-demand video lessons  
📚 Readings, reflection activities, and applied exercises  
🧠 Scenario-based learning  


Three (3) live (virtual) presentations (REQUIRED)

  • Live sessions focus on:  Teaching demonstrations
  • Coaching and feedback practice
  • Facilitation skills
  •  Real-time application of the CHW Trainer competencies

What You’ll Learn: The 8 CHW Trainer Core Competencies

The CHW Trainer Course is built around eight core competency areas that define effective, equity-centered CHW instruction.

1. Communication & Interpersonal Skills  
Learn how to deliver training at the CHW’s level of comprehension, teach CHWs to communicate health information clearly, provide constructive feedback, maintain professional boundaries, and model emotional intelligence.  

2. Curriculum Development & Lesson Planning  
Design learner-centered CHW training using needs assessments, evidence-based practices, learning objectives, and quality improvement strategies.  

3. Facilitation & Presentation Skills 
Build confidence, presence, and engagement through storytelling, visual communication, group facilitation, and effective use of training technology.  

4. Skill Development (Coaching)  
Strengthen your ability to coach CHWs through goal-setting, accountability, feedback, and supportive challenge.  

5. Empathy & Inclusiveness  
Create psychologically safe learning environments that honor lived experience, encourage courageous conversations, and model equity and inclusion.  

6. Flexibility, Adaptability & Accessibility
Adjust instruction to meet diverse learning styles, accessibility needs, and learner feedback while introducing innovative teaching strategies.  

7. Assessment & Evaluation Skills  
Evaluate CHW knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors using multiple assessment tools and apply findings to improve curriculum quality.  

8. Classroom Management  
Maintain supportive, organized learning environments and address challenges respectfully in both in-person and virtual settings.

See the Course Curriculum and Frequently Asked Questions below for more information.

Course Curriculum

What You’ll Be Able to Do After Course Completion

Graduates of the CHW Instructor Certification Course will be able to:
  • Teach CHW certification and workforce training courses 
  • Facilitate adult learning with confidence and clarity  
  •  Coach and mentor CHWs effectively   
  • Design and improve CHW curriculum   
  • Model equity-centered training practices   
  • Support consistent, high-quality CHW programs   
  • Step into formal instructor and trainer roles

Ready to Become a CHW Instructor?

CHW Instructor Certification Course

$1000.00

Four installments of $300 or Pay in Full and save $200

  • -Exert-led training
  • -Flexible & stree-free learning
  • -Quick start (enroll today, start today!) 
  • -Save $200 when course is paid in full

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Yes! Umemba Health Academy is a Texas DSHS-approved provider of CHW and CHW Instructor certification and continuing education. (Certificate #64, Expiration 3/2027). Our courses and trainings may also qualify for Category II CECH for Certified Health Education Specialists and towards AAMA continuing education hours for Medical Assistants.

Yes! Our courses are virtual and can be taken from any U.S. state, even overseas!

The revised course is 180 hours (140 instructional hours + 40 field experience hours) and can typically be completed within 16 weeks. You will have one year to complete the CHW course. It is recommended that you complete the CHW course first, as you get access to both courses upon enrollment (unless you enrolled in the Exception Course). 

The CHW Instructor Exception Course is an enrollment option for individuals who are already certified as Community Health Workers (CHWs) or who live in a state where CHW Instructor certification is not required. This pathway allows qualified professionals to move forward without duplicating prior certification requirements. If you are interested in this option, select “Exception Course” on the checkout page. The Exception Course is offered at half the cost of the full CHW Instructor Certification Course.

After payment, you will get immediate access to the course. (If your employer or a third-party is paying for your course, you will be manually enrolled into the course after payment has been received).

The total cost of the Online CHW Instructor Certification Course is $1000 when paid in full or four installments of $300 each.  You have one year to complete the course. Continued access to the course after one year requires a monthly access fee of $100.

Umemba Health Foundation is actively searching and applying for grant funding that aligns with our mission and will help to support the scholarship fund. Please check back soon.

No problem! Watch this webinar to find out what you need to excel as a CHW Trainer/Instructor.

Send additional questions to [email protected] with subject line "Re: CHW Instructor Certification Course"

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