How Do I Maintain My Certification?

National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc.

OBJECTIVES

1. Discuss the recertification requirements for Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES).

2. List the key resources available to earn Continuing Education Contact Hours for CHES and MCHES.

CHES & MCHES

Congratulations on receiving the CHES/MCHES credential.

Category I credits will be offered for this webinar.

Benefits of Certification

Access to continuing education opportunities

Use CHES/MCHES designation behind your name

Job postings page on NCHEC website

Social/networking events

Opportunities to get involved with NCHEC at a national level

Newsletter

CERTIFICATE VS CERTIFICATION

An Assessment-based Certificate Program is a non-degree granting program that: (a) provides instruction and training to aid

participants in acquiring specific knowledge, skills, and/or competencies associated with intended learning outcomes;

(b) evaluates participants’ achievement of the intended learning outcomes; and

(c) awards a certificate only to those participants who meet the performance, proficiency or passing standard for the assessment(s) (hence the term, “assessment-based certificate program”).

ICE Resource: Defining Features of Quality Certification and Assessment-based Certificate Programs

CERTIFICATE VS CERTIFICATION

Professional Certification Program Voluntary process by which individuals are

evaluated on predetermined standards for knowledge, skills, or competencies.

Participants successful in demonstrating that standards have been met are granted time-limited credential.

To retain the credential, certificants must maintain continued competence.

The credential awarded by the certification program provider denotes that the participant possesses particular knowledge, skills or competencies.

ICE Resource: Defining Features of Quality Certification and Assessment-based Certificate Programs

• Focus is education and training

• Content validation at a minimum document the link between intended learning outcomes and the assessment

• Provider conducts or sponsors the training required

• NOT time limited (does not lapse or expire)

• NOT required to engage in subsequent activities for maintenance

• NOT awarded an acronym or letters for use after name

Focus is assessment of individuals

Job Analysis/Role Delineation to validate assessment (periodically revised)

Provider is independent from educational/training program

Credential is time limited – certificants are subject to disciplinary policy

Required to engage in specified activities designed to measure continued competence

An acronym is awarded or letters after ones’ name to signify maintenance of credential

Professional Certification Program

Assessment-based Certificate Program

ICE Resource: Defining Features of Quality Certification and Assessment-based Certificate Programs

CHES/MCHES CERTIFICATION

The purpose of professional certification is to ensure a high level of competence in the health education workforce. Maintenance of this competence is supported by continued training in the knowledge and methods of the field.

RENEWAL AND RECERTIFICATION

The CHES/MCHES credential must be renewed every year.

Recertification takes place every five years.

Requirements for recertification include the accrual of 75 Continuing Education Contact Hours (CECH) and payment of the recertification fee.

FEES

Annual Renewal Fee: $55

Annual Retired Renewal Fee: $15

Recertification Fee: $55

Late Fee: Up to three months late: $25 (renewal + late fee = $80)

Reinstatement Fee: More than three months late: $75 (renewal + late fee + reinstatement fee = $155)

CONTINUING EDUCATION CONTACT HOURS (CECH)

CECH are earned through participation in experiences that assist in the development or enhancement of the knowledge and/or skills directly related to the Seven Areas of Responsibility and the individual’s professional occupation.

SEVEN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY Seven Areas of Responsibility for Health Education Specialist - the broad entry-level skills necessary for the practice of health education in all settings.

I: Assess needs, assets and capacity for health education

II: Plan health education

III: Implement health education

IV: Conduct evaluation and research related to health education

V: Administer and manage health education

VI: Serve as a health education resource person

VII: Communicate and advocate for health and health education

RECERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

After initial certification, each CHES/MCHES must earn a total of 75 CECH every five years to be recertified.

CHES & MCHES are encouraged to accumulate a minimum of 15 CECH per year.

EARNING CECH

CHES/MCHES may earn CECH through completion of any of the following activities: Attendance at Professionals Meetings

Self-Study

Academic Preparation

Creative Endeavors

Professional Presentations

Professional Service

Advanced Professional Practice Activities

EARNING CECH

Each activity is worth a specific number of CECH, as defined in the Policies and Procedures Handbook for Renewal and Recertification 2011. (New version will be effective October 1,2013) http://www.nchec.org/_files/_items/nch-mr-tab7-80/docs/policy%20procedure%20handbook%20accepted%20changes%205-20-13.pdf

RECERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Category I Category II

Events offered by providers Events offered by providers

Pre-approved by NCHEC Not pre-approved by NCHEC

Minimum 45 CECH Maximum 30 CECH

For CHES & MCHES:

For MCHES only: Required to earn 30 CECH directly related to the advanced-level Sub-

competencies from Category I and/or II

CATEGORY I

Category I entry refers to CECH opportunities that relate to one or more of the Areas of Responsibility and have been preapproved by NCHEC (offered by designated providers).

Category I advanced refers to CECH

opportunities that relate to one or more of the advanced-level Sub-competencies and have been preapproved by NCHEC (offered by designated providers).

CATEGORY I

The designated provider of Category I credits will report directly to NCHEC on a quarterly basis.

CHES/MCHES should retain the certificate in their records.

CHES/MCHES should not submit any Category I documentation to NCHEC unless requested.

CONTINUING EDUCATION ACTIVITIES

Category I CECH opportunities are listed on the NCHEC Web site at http://www.nchec.org/ce/procal/

NCHEC encourages training in all the Seven Areas of Responsibility, as continued competence in all Areas is essential to effective health education practice.

CATEGORY II

A maximum of 30 category II credits can be earned.

Category II entry refers to CECH opportunities that relate to one or more of the Areas of Responsibility, but have not been preapproved by NCHEC (offered by non-designated providers).

CATEGORY II

Category II advanced refers to CECH opportunities that relate to one or more of the Areas of Responsibility and the advanced-level Sub-competencies but have not been preapproved by NCHEC (offered by non designated providers).

Documentation is needed as evidence to support a CECH claim.

CATEGORY II

To claim Category II CECH, CHES/MCHES will need to record not only the program information, but also how each activity relates to the Areas of Responsibility and/or advanced-level Sub-competencies.

CHES/MCHES must fill out a Category II

CECH Claim Form. It is recommended that claims be submitted within 90 days following program completion.

CATEGORY II CLAIM FORM

•When filling out the Category II claim form please be sure to fill out the areas in red.

•Information section •Activity •Area of Responsibility •Brief Description •Signature

• Link to the Category II Claim Form: http://www.nchec.org/_files/_items/nch-mr-tab6-78/docs/cat%20ii%20claim%20form%20-%20ches-mches.pdf

CATEGORY II CLAIM FORM

CATEGORY II CLAIM FORM

CATEGORY II FOR CHES/MCHES

For CHES, CECH may not be claimed for activities, events or experiences that are part of daily job requirements.

For MCHES, CECH may be claimed for work-related activities, events or experiences that relate to advanced-level Sub-competencies.

APPROPRIATE DOCUMENTATION FOR ACTIVITIES

Attendance at Professional Meetings ◦ Certification of Attendance including hours

◦ Meeting schedule/agenda with attended session highlighted

Presentation at a Professional Meeting ◦ Program Announcement indicating duration

◦ Thank you letter indicating duration

Academic Preparation ◦ Copy of Transcript listing the course title and number of credits earned

APPROPRIATE DOCUMENATION FOR ACTIVITIES CONTINUED

Authoring a Thesis or Dissertation ◦ Copy of title page, table of contents and letter of acceptance by the university

Sole Author of a Training Module or Course ◦ Copy of title page, table of contents, and description of content learning objectives

Sole Developer of a Health Education Project ◦ Copy of official copyright notice ◦ Copy of product itself

COMMON MISTAKES

Common mistakes when filling out Category II claim forms:

Incorrect Form--Please use the current form “CHES/MCHES Category II CECH Claim Form”

Missing date

CECH claimed not listed

Activity not chosen

COMMON MISTAKES CONTINUED

Area of Responsibility not chosen

No signature

More than one activity submitted on Category II claim form

Documentation does not show breakdown of hours (Even though a certificate was provided hours need to be listed)

CECH THAT DO NOT QUALIFY You may not claim time for lunches or

breaks, attending poster sessions, networking sessions, business meetings, or non-education periods.

All authorship must involve substantive contributions and not mere proofreading.

CECH may not be claimed for reprints, duplications, or revisions of the same article in different publications.

CECH THAT DO NOT QUALIFY CONTINUED

A CHES/MCHES applying for CECH as a presenter also may not claim CECH for attending the session in which the presentation was made.

For CHES, acting as mentor excludes student interns and student teachers. However, for MCHES serving as an internship/practicum preceptor counts.

As always, personal and professional integrity should guide all CECH claims and documentation.

CARRY OVER OF CECH CHES/MCHES who have accumulated in

excess of 75 CECH at the end of their current five-year certification cycle will carry over a maximum of 15 Category I CECH into their next five-year certification cycle.

Category II hours are not eligible for carryover.

For MCHES, any advanced CECH over 30 will carry over as entry-level credits only. Category II hours are not eligible for carryover.

EXTENSION

CHES/MCHES who are due to recertify that have not met the required 75 CECH may request an extension for a maximum of two years (approved in one-year increments). A letter of explanation for the request must be submitted each year. Payment of the $55 annual fee must be paid.

Extension status may be granted for special

circumstances including, but not limited to personal or family illness, graduate study, or foreign residency.

EXTENSION STATUS

While on extension status, a CHES/MCHES: oMay continue to earn CECH

oIs not permitted to hold any elective NCHEC office

oIs not allowed to serve on any planning committee as a CHES/MCHES representative.

MCHES RECERTIFICATION

MCHES who previously were active CHES, that have not met the required 30 advanced-level credits, can revert back to CHES if they have met all requirements for the CHES certification.

RECERTIFICATION BY EXAMINATION

To recertify by examination a CHES/MCHES must: ◦ Meet the current eligibility criteria to sit for the examination.

◦ Apply and pay appropriate fees by the stated deadline for the examination using the official CHES/MCHES examination application form available through NCHEC or on the Web site (www.nchec.org).

◦ Pass the CHES/MCHES examination. (Exams are administered in April and October.)

LAPSED CHES & MCHES

CHES/MCHES that are lapsed for renewal or continuing education credits are no longer allowed to use the CHES/MCHES designation.

RETIRED CHES/MCHES

CHES/MCHES who are permanently retired from health education and are in active/good standing may apply for the retired status.

After retired status is approved and awarded, a retired CHES/MCHES must use CHES/MCHES (Ret.) after his/her name.

Retired status is considered a permanent status.

No CECH requirements exist.

APPEALS POLICY

An appeal procedure is available to any applicant or CHES/MCHES to contest any adverse decision affecting his/her CHES/MCHES examination eligibility or CHES/MCHES status.

Any individual who does not file a request for an appeal within the required time limit shall waive the right to appeal.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Please see the Policies and Procedures Handbook

for Renewal and Recertification.

http://www.nchec.org/_files/_items/nch-mr-tab7-80/docs/policy%20procedure%20handbook%20accepted%20changes%205-20-13.pdf

Stay Connected National Commission for

Health Education Credentialing, Inc.

1541 Alta Drive, Suite 303

Whitehall, PA 18052

http://www.nchec.org

Email us at: nchec@nchec.org

QUESTIONS