This information was collected through a combination of state surveys and NASHP staff research. It offers a snapshot of how the state is defining, training, certifying, and paying for the CHW workforce — as well as how the state is developing cross-agency and state-to-local strategies to improve community health in partnership with CHWs.
This is a dynamic policy space, and states are continuing to develop new approaches. We will continue to make periodic updates to this page. Learn more about state CHW policies across the U.S.
State CHW Definition
Oklahoma uses the American Public Health Association definition for CHWs.
State CHW Governance
Oklahoma does not have a state office of CHWs. However, CHW initiatives are housed within Family Support and Prevention Services in the State Department of Health Oklahoma’s CHW governance landscape also includes collaboration among state agencies, county health departments, healthcare organizations, academic institutions, and workforce partners to support certification, training, reimbursement, and workforce sustainability efforts across the state.
Certification and Training
Oklahoma established a statewide voluntary CHW certification process through the Oklahoma State Department of Health under SB424 (2025), the “Oklahoma Community Health Worker Act” and accompanying administrative rules. Oklahoma continues to use the National C3 Council core competencies to define CHW roles, skills, and scope of practice while working to standardize workforce development across the state.
To qualify for Medicaid reimbursement, CHWs must receive a certificate of completion of a C3 core competency-based training from the Oklahoma State Department of Health, Tulsa City County Health Department, and/or Oklahoma City County Health Department, or have 2,000 documented hours of paid, volunteer, or lived experience.
Oklahoma State University (OSU) offers foundational training for CHWs for all 11 C3 CHW core skills, developed in collaboration between OSU, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, and Langston University.
The Oklahoma Public Health Training Center develops, implements, and advocates for CHW training in the state. From 2023-2025 the Center’s Community Health Worker Program supported CHWs through scholarships to provide continuing education for conferences and other educational opportunities.
Medicaid Reimbursement
Oklahoma Medicaid reimburses for certain CHW services under a state plan amendment. To receive Medicaid reimbursement, CHWs must meet training or experience criteria and work at a public health clinic. Services must be ordered by physician or other licensed practitioner.
Under the state’s Medicaid transformation and as part of a quality improvement effort, Oklahoma Healthcare Authority is required to set up partnerships with select contracted entities, which can include CHWs, that can help reduce health disparities.
Managed care plans in Oklahoma provide value-added services on top of the core medical services required by the state. For example, one of Oklahoma’s three managed care organizations, Oklahoma Complete Health, offers home visits by CHWs to check for environmental triggers for children enrolled in its asthma care management program.
Rural Health Transformation
Oklahoma has recently expanded its CHW work through the Rural Health Transformation Program. OSDH is partnering with the Oklahoma Hospital Association to place CHWs in rural hospitals and in FQHCs through the Oklahoma Primary Care Association. These efforts will support the integration of CHWs across public health and healthcare systems while strengthening statewide workforce sustainability and cross-sector partnerships.
Other Funding or Financing Mechanisms
Key Partnerships
Key partners include the Oklahoma State Department of Health, Tribal governments, County Health Departments, Public Health Institute of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Hospital Association, Oklahoma Primary Care Association, Rural Health Transformation Project, Oklahoma Public Health Training Center, Southern Plains Tribal Health Board, Oklahoma Public Health Association, and other organizations with CHWs.
Additional statewide workforce and professional development efforts include the growth of the Oklahoma Community Health Worker Association and ongoing communities of practice that support CHW leadership, networking, advocacy, and collaboration among public health agencies, healthcare organizations, academic institutions, and community-based organizations.
State CHW Legislation
SB 424 (2025), the “Oklahoma Community Health Worker Act,” established a statewide voluntary certification process through the Oklahoma State Department of Health and directed the development of administrative rules to support implementation. The legislation recognized CHWs as an essential part of the healthcare and public health workforce and created a framework for standardized training, certification, and workforce development.
State Resources
ACO – Accountable care organization
AHEC – Area Health Education Centers
APHA – American Public Health Association
APM – Alternative payment model
CBO – Community-based organization
CDC – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CDC CCR Funding – Community Health Workers for COVID Response and Resilient Communities Funding
CHR – Community health representative
CHW – Community health worker
CPT Codes – Current Procedural Terminology Codes
C3 Project – CHW Core Competency Project
FFS – Fee for services
HCSPCS Codes – Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System Codes
HRSA – Health Resources & Services Administration
MCO – Managed care organization
NACHW – National Association of Community Health Workers
SDOH – Social determinants of health
VBP – Value-based payment
State CHW Definition: This category indicates where states have a formal definition of a CHW. In some cases, where there is not a definition in statute, this category may draw information from provider manuals and state websites or reports.
Certification and Training: This category includes information about how CHWs are trained in the state, which entities provide training, whether or not the state runs or recognizes a CHW certification program, and information about the entities that administer existing certification programs.
Medicaid Reimbursement: This category includes information about state Medicaid strategies that provide enrollees access to CHW services. Entries indicate whether state Medicaid programs currently reimburse for CHW services or incorporate CHWs into alternative payment models under the authority of a state plan amendment (SPA), or where states have earmarked funds to support CHW services under the authority of an 1115 demonstration waiver. It also indicates where CHW services might be supported through managed care approaches (e.g., where MCOs are paying for CHW services using administrative dollars or where states are using managed care contracts to incentivize or require MCOs to cover CHW services).
Other Funding or Financing Mechanisms: This category includes information about other state funding or financing approaches that cover CHW services or CHW positions. It includes information about federal grant dollars for which the state is the grantee.
Key Partnerships: This category offers information about key partners outside state government, including state CHW associations and CHW training entities, and highlights formal cross-agency partnerships within the state that support alignment of funding and resources for the CHW workforce.
State CHW Legislation: This category highlights any state legislation relevant to the CHW workforce. This might include statutory language directing agencies to develop a Medicaid reimbursement approach, laws that established state CHW certification, or other relevant statutes.
State Resources: This category offers links to any key reports or resources that states elected to highlight as critical to CHW policy and partnership.
