Training for HIV Test Counselors
Individuals who are not licensed physicians, must become certified by attending a state-approved HIV Counseling & Testing Training program in order to provide HIV testing in California. Attendance at training programs is required to perform any California Department of Health Services, Office of AIDS-funded, prevention counseling services.
Certification requires attending a four-day basic training. Most counselor training and certification is coordinated by UCSF AIDS Health Project (AHP), which offers these trainings throughout the state. The San Francisco Department of Public Health coordinates other training, such as California Disclosure Assistance and Partner Services (DAPS) training classes.
The following are some of the agencies that can sponsor Basic Training applicants (note that most community agencies require prospective counselors to commit to volunteering several hours per week once they are certified):
San Francisco AIDS Foundation/Magnet
UCSF AIDS Health Project
Tenderloin Health
Mission Neighborhood Health Center
Please contact one of these agencies if you are interested in becoming certified as an HIV test counselor.
