Abstract Background Despite the importance of changing health behaviours in the context of preventing and managing non-communicable chronic diseases (NCD's), physician use of evidence-based behaviour change counselling (BCC) is low, and BCC skills competency is generally poor. Motivational communication (MC) is a patient-centred, evidence-based BCC approach used by healthcare providers, designed to increase patient motivation to adopt a healthy lifestyle. MC-based approaches improved a range of health behaviours (smoking, diet, physical activity) in patients with NCDs, leading to increased demand for physician training. Despite the widespread dissemination of training programs, data on their efficacy in achieving competency among physicians is limited. This is likely due to a lack of consensus on the core communication competencies to be achieved, and in the absence of acceptable, valid and reliable tools to measure skill acquisition. Results Using an integrated knowledge translation (iKT) approach that engaged 199 international physicians, behaviour change experts and health administrators, we have identified 11 core evidence-based communication competencies that physicians should acquire in the context of NCD prevention/management. They have been incorporated into a basic 4 hr face-to-face MC training program called “LEARN THE BASICs”. To assess MC competency, we have also developed a reliable, engaging, efficient, 'user-friendly' case-based digital assessment tool called the MC-Competency Assessment Test (MC-CAT). Conclusions Strategies for optimizing and tailoring this program, including finding the most cost-effective training dose, the impact of supplemental training components (e.g., in person vs. digital coaching; booster sessions), and delivery modes (e.g., face-to-face vs digital/online), will be discussed in the context of optimizing implementation success.