Standard of Professional Excellence

www.nchec.org

To enhance the professional practiceof health education by promoting andsustaining a credentialed body of health

education specialists. To meet this mission,NCHEC certifies health educationspecialists, promotes professional

development, and strengthens professionalpreparation and practice.

National Commission forHealth Education Credentialing, Inc.

1541 Alta Drive, Suite 303Whitehall, PA 18052Phone: (888)624-3248Fax: (800)813-0727Web: www.nchec.org

Publications to Assist Preparation

A Competency-Based Frameworkfor Health Education Specialist – 2015

Presents a hierarchical model for healtheducation practice and serves as the basisof the CHES exam. Includes a detailedcomparison between the current and formerset of Responsibilities and a summary ofthe research from the Practice Analysis on the Health Education Competencies.

The Health Education Specialist: AStudy Companion for ProfessionalExcellence – 7th Edition

Provides in-depth analysis of each Area ofResponsibility relative to the various roles andsettings of health education practice. Includesa self-assessment to measure competence asa health education professional and includes165 practice questions.

v To order, visit www.nchec.org click on Publications

Why CertifyThe National Commission for Health Educa-tion Credentialing’s, Inc. (NCHEC) voluntary professional certification program estab-lishes a national standard for individualhealth education practitioners. It is based on Responsibilities and Competencies that havebeen verified by a practice analysis. It differsfrom state and local certifications and reg-istries in that the requirements do not varyfrom one locale to another. National certifica-tion benefits practitioners and the public by: l Establishing a national standard l Attesting to individuals’ knowledge and skills l Assisting employers in identifying qualified health education practitioners l Promoting continued professional development

What is a CHES?

A Certified Health Education Specialist(CHES) is an individual that has:

1. Met required academic preparation guidelines 2. Successfully passed a competency- based examination 3. Satisfied the continuing education require ment necessary to maintain the national credential

BECOME A CERTIFIEDHEALTH EDUCATIONSPECIALIST (CHES)

The ExamThe Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES)exam is a competency-based test that measuresthe possession, application and interpretation of knowledge related to the Seven Areas of Responsibility; a comprehensive set of Compe-tencies and Sub-competencies defining the roleof an entry- level health education specialist.These Responsibilities were verified through arole delineation and a practice analysis process.

The CHES exam has met national standards incredentialing and received National Commissionof Certified Agencies accreditation.

The CHES exam consists of 165 multiple-choicescored questions (15 pilot tested) and isadministered in paper-and-pencil format.

Seven Areas of Responsibility Area I Assess Needs, Resources and Capacity for Health Education/Promotion Area II Plan Health Education/Promotion Area III Implement Health Education/Promotion Area IV Conduct Evaluation and Research Related to Health Education/Promotion Area V Administer and Manage Health Education/Promotion Area VI Serve as a Health Education/Promotion Resource Person Area VII Communicate, Promote and Advocate for Health, and the Profession of Health Education/Promotion

For more information specific to the Seven Areas ofResponsibility, or to order A Competency-Based Framework for Health Educations Specialist, 2015,

visit www.nchec.org.

Exam EligibilityEligibility for the CHES exam is based exclusively on academic qualifications. Applicants must possess a bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate’s degree from an accredited institution of highereducation, and either of the following:

An official academic transcript clearlydepicting a major and/or degree in HealthEducation, Community Health Education,Public Health Education, School HealthEducation, etc. The degree and/ormajor must explicitly be in a disciplineof health education.

OR

An official academic transcript reflecting atleast 25 semester hours (37 quarter hours) ofcourse work addressing the Seven Areas ofResponsibility of health education specialists.

90-Day Eligibility

This eligibility option is available to studentsgraduating within 90 days of a CHES examdate. To qualify, official transcripts andwritten verification from a faculty adviserconfirming scheduled graduation mustbe submitted. Transcripts must depict aminimum of 25 semester hours (37 quarterhours) addressing the Seven Areas ofResponsibility of health education specialists.

Unsure of EligibilityA prescreen service is available to those whoare unsure of exam eligibility. For a $25nonrefundable fee, NCHEC will determineeligibility through review of officialacademic transcripts.

Prescreen applicants are notified in writing ofthe review’s outcome. If deemed eligible, thefee is then applied toward the exam cost. Ifdeemed ineligible, course deficiencies will beidentified and guidance for future qualificationwill be provided.

The CHES exam is offered at more than130 colleges and universities throughoutthe United States. For a list of exam sites,to apply, or for a prescreen request form,visit NCHEC’s Web site at www.nchec.org.

Application Fees & Deadlines

How To Apply

*The student fee is available for applicants enrolled full-time (minimum nine credits) in a university level program at the time ofregistration.

*Student rates also apply with documenta-tion of your full-time status as detailed byyour institution.

For more information on the CHES exam oreligibility requirements, please visit our Website at www.nchec.org, or contact the ExamCoordinator at (888)624-3248 ext. 12.

April October Non-student *Student Exam Exam Fee Fee

U.S. Post Marked On or Before

Dec. 1 June 1 $240 $210

Jan. 2 July 1 $250 $210

Feb. 1 Aug. 1 $280 $210

Mar. 1 Sept. 1 $330 $265

Prescreen Deadline

Feb. 1 Aug. 1 $25 $25