The 11 Community Health Worker (CHW) core competencies defined by the National C3 Council form the national standard for CHW training, certification, and workforce development.
What Is a CHW?
A Community Health Worker (CHW) is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of, or has a close understanding of, the community they serve. This relationship enables CHWs to serve as a bridge between health and social services and the community to facilitate access, improve service delivery, and advance health equity.
The National C3 Council (Community Health Worker Core Consensus Project) defines 11 Core Skills that form the foundation of CHW practice across all roles and settings.
Below is an updated overview of the 11 nationally recognized C3 Core Skills, including why each skill is essential in today’s health and social service systems.
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The 11 C3 Core Skills
1. Communication Skills
- Active listening
- Clear verbal communication
- Plain language use
- Written communication and documentation
- Conflict resolution
- Digital communication
Why this matters:
CHWs translate complex health information into understandable language, build trust through empathetic listening, and ensure accurate documentation within care teams. Strong communication is foundational to every CHW role.
2. Interpersonal and Relationship-Building Skills
- Building trust
- Establishing rapport
- Maintaining professional boundaries
- Demonstrating empathy
- Working with diverse personalities
Why this matters:
CHWs rely on trusted relationships to influence behavior change, encourage engagement in services, and support long-term health outcomes.
3. Service Coordination and Navigation Skills
- Referral processes
- Warm handoffs
- Insurance navigation
- Coordinating with interdisciplinary teams
- Following up on services
Why this matters:
CHWs reduce barriers by helping individuals navigate fragmented health and social service systems, especially when addressing social determinants of health like housing, food access, and transportation.
4. Capacity-Building Skills
- Empowering individuals
- Supporting goal setting
- Facilitating self-advocacy
- Identifying community assets
- Leadership development
Why this matters:
CHWs do not simply provide services, because they strengthen individual and community capacity so people can advocate for themselves and sustain improvements long-term.
5. Advocacy Skills
- Supporting individual self-advocacy
- Systems-level advocacy
- Policy awareness
- Educating stakeholders
- Identifying structural barriers
Why this matters:
Health inequities often stem from structural factors. CHWs elevate community voices and advocate for changes that improve access, equity, and outcomes.
6. Teaching and Education Skills
- Health literacy support
- Group facilitation
- Curriculum adaptation
- Teach-back methods
- Cultural tailoring of information
Why this matters:
CHWs provide culturally appropriate health education that supports informed decision-making and chronic disease self-management.
7. Organizational Skills
- Time management
- Case documentation
- Record keeping
- Prioritization
- Managing multiple clients
Why this matters:
CHWs often manage complex caseloads across multiple systems. Organizational skills ensure continuity of care and accountability.
8. Knowledge Base
- Public health principles
- Health systems knowledge
- Social determinants of health
- Behavioral health basics
- Community resources
Why this matters:
CHWs need a working understanding of how health systems function and how social, economic, and environmental factors impact health.
9. Assessment Skills
- Conducting individual assessments
- Identifying strengths and needs
- Screening for social determinants of health
- Community health assessment participation
- Data collection
Why this matters:
Effective assessment allows CHWs to tailor interventions, prioritize referrals, and inform program planning.
10. Outreach Skills
- Community engagement strategies
- Home visits
- Event coordination
- Digital outreach
- Recruitment and enrollment
Why this matters:
CHWs extend services beyond clinic walls and meet people where they are physically, culturally, and socially.
11. Professional Skills and Conduct
- Ethical practice
- Confidentiality (HIPAA awareness)
- Scope of practice awareness
- Self-care and stress management
- Ongoing professional development
Why this matters:
Professional conduct protects both clients and CHWs, supports workforce sustainability, and strengthens credibility within healthcare and public health systems.
This article was updated in 2026 to reflect alignment with the National C3 Council’s 11 Core Skills framework. State certification requirements may include additional competencies or training standards.
Last Updated: February 2026
Core Competency Training for CHW Teams
Organizations use CHW core competencies to create consistent onboarding, cross-training, supervision alignment, and workforce development across community-based roles.