Cultural Competency Training: Why It Matters and Who Needs It
Honoring National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to reflect on how we can provide more inclusive, equitable care to clients from all backgrounds. One of the most important steps behavioral health providers can take is completing cultural competency training, but depending on where you practice, it may or may not be required.
Let’s take a closer look at what cultural competency training is, why it’s important, where it’s required, and how to stay ahead of evolving expectations.
What Is Cultural Competency Training?
Cultural competency training is designed to help clinicians understand how cultural, racial, ethnic, linguistic, socioeconomic, gender, and other factors influence a person’s mental health and experience in therapy. These trainings aim to improve awareness, reduce bias, and build skills for delivering respectful, effective, and affirming care to diverse populations.
This work goes beyond checking a CE box; it’s about building lasting trust and therapeutic connection with all clients.
Is Cultural Competency Training Required?
That depends—not all states currently mandate cultural competency training, but the landscape is shifting. Many states are beginning to recognize it as a core component of ethical practice and effective care.
Some payers require it as well and will include that as a condition of acquiring or renewing a contract.
States That Require Cultural Competency Training:
Several states already require some form of cultural competency or related training for licensure or license renewal. These include:
Arizona – Required every 24 months for licensed behavioral health professionals
California – Required for nurses, physicians, and PAs; includes implicit bias training
Connecticut – One hour required annually for social workers, counselors, and therapists
Illinois – Mandated for public health dental hygienists
Indiana – Required as part of coursework for marriage and family therapists and addiction counselors
Minnesota – some licensures must complete cultural competency training as part of CE requirements
New Jersey – Six hours required for physicians to renew licensure
New York – Required annually for Medicaid Managed Care behavioral health providers
Oregon – CE in cultural competency required for all licensed health professionals
States Encouraging or Considering Requirements:
States like Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island have introduced legislation or issued guidance encouraging (but not requiring) cultural competency training. This means providers in these states may want to be proactive—requirements could be on the horizon.
Federal Standards and Best Practices
While there is no federal mandate requiring all healthcare providers to complete cultural competency training, there are federal guidelines.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services created the National CLAS Standards—a framework for providing equitable, culturally and linguistically appropriate services in healthcare.
The federal government sees cultural competency as a key strategy in reducing disparities across racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic lines in both health and mental health care.
Why It’s Good for Your Practice (Not Just a Requirement)
Regardless of whether it's required in your state, investing in cultural competency is good for your business and the people you serve. It helps you:
Build trust with diverse clients
Improve outcomes and retention
Reduce miscommunication and bias
Stand out in insurance credentialing and referral networks
Demonstrate ethical and inclusive leadership
Where to Complete Training
Before signing up for a course, we recommend checking with your state licensing board or professional association to ensure the training will count toward your CE requirements. Requirements vary by state and license type, and approved training lists may be updated periodically.
Here are trusted national resources to explore cultural competency CE opportunities:
Look for courses that go beyond the basics and include real-world application, case examples, and trainers with lived or professional experience in the topics covered.
Final Thought: Stay Informed, Stay Committed
If you're a behavioral health provider, it's critical to check with your own state licensing board to understand the latest training requirements. And even if it's not required, cultural competency should remain a priority—it’s foundational to ethical care and a thriving practice.
This July, let’s recommit to creating welcoming, affirming spaces for clients of all identities and backgrounds!
