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
Washington state’s Health Care Authority defines CHWs using the American Public Health Association definition.
State CHW Governance
Washington does not have a dedicated state office of CHWs. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) hosts a Community Health Worker Training Program.
Certification and Training
Washington does not require CHW certification. Instead, the State Department of Health offers free training for CHWs, which includes the CHW Core Competency Course, a 40-hour foundational course modernized in July 2025 based on the National C3 Council’s recommended CHW roles and competencies and aligned with the training requirement for the state CHW Medicaid benefit.
The program also offers specialty courses; shorter add-on courses covering specific public health topics such as cardiovascular health, immunizations, cancer screening, and oral health; and pediatric CHW courses designed for CHWs working with children, youth, and families. All courses are delivered online and are self-paced. Most are available in English and Spanish with monthly enrollment.
DOH has convened a Community Health Worker Leadership Committee to support the implementation of recommendations to improve CHW training and strengthen the CHW workforce.
Medicaid Reimbursement
Washington reimburses for CHW services via a State Plan Amendment.
CHW services are billed through HCPCS codes G0019 (limited to 60 minutes per calendar month), G0022 (add-on code for G0019 and limited to an additional 30 minutes per calendar month), G0023 (limited to 60 minutes per calendar month), G0024 (add-on code for G0023 and limited to an additional 30 minutes per calendar month), and S9446 (limited to two sessions per day with a monthly cap of eight sessions).
Washington uses several other Medicaid reimbursement strategies for CHW services, including Federally Qualified Health Centers and the First Steps maternity support services (MSS) program, which reimburses for MSS Medicaid State Plan-covered services. CHWs may also be part of Washington’s Health Homes, which allows them to receive Medicaid funding for each patient served.
Washington’s managed care organizations (MCO) pay for CHWs through administrative costs to support case management activities through community-based CHWs who are employees of the MCO or a contracted community-based organization.
As part of Washington’s Section 1115 Demonstration waiver, Medicaid Transformation Project 2.0, CHWs with lived experience are eligible to provide pre-release services to qualified incarcerated individuals within 90 days prior to release. CHW services may include coordination with case management services to ensure culturally competent planning and referral support. Workforce development infrastructure investments include CHW certification.
Rural Health Transformation
Washington’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) includes significant investment for expanding hiring opportunities for CHWs. RHTP funds will be used to provide stipends to rural hospitals to include CHWs and digital navigators in care planning. The state will also embed CHWs into an existing infrastructure that includes rural social care networks, a WA 211 call center, and a developing community information exchange system.
Additionally, Washington will annually dedicate $2 to 4 million of RHTP funds to increase training and hiring opportunities for CHWs. Here, the state will add modules for training related to rural health, telehealth, and digital navigation to the existing CHW learning management system, increase the number of training slots available, and recruit staff such as pharmacy technicians to receive CHW training.
Other Funding or Financing Mechanisms
Information is unavailable.
Key Partnerships
The CHW Leadership Committee is a statewide multi-partner group guiding the development and support of CHWs across Washington. The committee’s mission is to develop and promote frameworks that support CHWs across systems of care, improve the quality of life for Washingtonians, and advocate for the CHW profession. The committee also seeks input from community members most affected by health inequities to guide its work.
State CHW Legislation
Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5693 appropriated funds to the Health Care Authority (HCA) for the Community Health Worker Grant. Additionally, it directed HCA to develop Medicaid reimbursement for CHWs.
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.
