A student
fee is offered to those individuals enrolled full-time (min. of 9 credits) in
a university level program at the time of application submission.
To qualify for the student fee, the applicant must indicate
the degree information being used for eligibility.
Application Processing Fee
The
application fee includes a $100.00 nonrefundable processing
fee that will be deducted from any refunds due to ineligibility
or withdrawal. If you are unsure if you meet eligibility
requirements, please complete the optional prescreen request
form prior to submitting this application. A $25 fee is
charged for the prescreening service.
Nondiscrimination
NCHEC does not discriminate
against any individual on the basis of religion, gender, ethnic background or physical
disability.
Submitting
Your Application
PRINT
your name on the application EXACTLY as it should
appear on your CHES certificate. It is your responsibility
to notify NCHEC of any changes in name and/or address before
taking the exam.
Applications
must include:
Completed Exam Application form (available to complete
online or download, see below)
Official transcript reflecting school name(s), degree(s),
date(s) awarded and all completed coursework (applications
cannot be processed without a transcript). If sent separately,
transcripts should be submitted no later than 30 days
after application submission and prior to the final deadline
or you will be subject to increased exam fees.
Application Fee
Falsification of any documentation may result in suspension or revocation of the credential or denial of eligibility for further exams.
We recommend
either completing the online application or sending applications
via Certified Mail, Federal Express or Second-Day Mail.
Incomplete
applications will not be processed until all information
is received. Exam fees are nonrefundable. NCHEC is not
responsible for missing information, such as transcripts
sent separately. All documentation must be submitted by
final deadline. Delays may result in an automatic
transfer to the next exam date with an additional $100
transfer fee. Please be sure to include all items at
the time of application.
Application
Screening and Eligibility
Screening
of exam applications begins six months prior to the exam
date. Applicants will receive written notification of eligibility within six weeks after all required documents are received. The application fee INCLUDES a $100 nonrefundable
processing fee that will be deducted from any refunds.
Eligibility:
Requirements
include a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree from
an accredited institution of higher education; AND either
of the following: 1) an official transcript that clearly
shows a major in Health Education, Community Health Education,
Public Health Education, School Health Education, etc. OR,
2) an official transcript that reflects at least 25 semester
hours (37 quarter hours) of coursework resonating a grade "C" or higher addressing the Areas
of Responsibility for health educators delineated in A
Competency-Based Framework for Professional Development
of Certified Health Education Specialists - 2006.
Appeal of Denial of Eligibility:
If NCHEC does not approve an application for educational and/or disciplinary reasons, the applicant can initiate an appeal. Appeals must be made in writing to the Executive Director of NCHEC, including any supportive documents. The applicant is responsible for demonstrating that the appeal shoud be granted.
Appeals will be forwarded to the appropriate Division Board
staff for review. The applicant will be notified in writing
via USPS mail of the decision.
90-Day
Eligibility:
This
is offered to students scheduled to graduate within 90 days
of the exam date. Written verification from a faculty advisor
assuring the student will complete all degree requirements
and an official transcript showing a minimum of 25 semester
hours relating to the Areas of Responsibility for Health
Educators needs to be submitted. Test scores will not
be released until proof of graduation is received.
Prescreening
Service (Optional):
This
is a separate optional a service offered to individuals
and should ONLY be used if you are not sure you meet
the requirements for the CHES exam. If you are found to
be eligible the $25 prescreen request fee will be deducted
from the exam registration fee and an application and instructions
will be mailed to you. If ineligible, course deficiencies
will be identified and guidance will be provided. If you
are interested in taking advantage of the prescreening
service click
here to download the form.
Requests
for Special Testing Accommodations
Applicants
requesting special arrangements and other special needs
due to disabilities or religious restrictions must indicate
this information on the application. Supporting documentation
is required such as a letter from a religious leader indicating
necessity to take the exam on Sunday if choosing a Sabbath
site. All requests must be received by final application deadline.
Changes
to Your Application
It is the applicant's responsibility to notify NCHEC of any changes in address or contact information.
Address:
Changes can be made online, click
here, using your username and password or by contacting
the NCHEC office via mail, fax or e-mail.
Please note - address changes made after admission tickets
are printed may result in a ticket reprint fee*.
Test
Site Relocations: Changes to your test site choice must
be made in writing no later than 30 days prior to
the exam date. Disclaimer: Every effort will be made
to schedule a candidate to his/her first test site choice.
In the event a minimum required number of candidates does
not register for a given test site, NCHEC reserves the right
to assign the second test site choice.
Preparing
for the Examination
NCHEC
publishes study materials to help you prepare for the exam.
Materials available for purchase are The Health Education
Specialist: A Study Guide for Professional Competence (5th
Edition) and A Competency-Based Framework for Professional
Development of Certified Health Education Specialists - 2006 .
To purchase either of these books online, click
here. It is important to remember that the exam is national
in scope. You are encouraged to keep your resources broad
and use your own text books as well as others. The study
guide should not be your sole source of information.
You
may want to contact the nearest college or university with
a a health education department to determine if there is
a CHES exam review session offered near you. To view a list
of upcoming study groups click
here.
Admission
Tickets
Approximately
two weeks before the exam, you will be mailed an admission
ticket showing test date, time, site location/address, room
number and map/directions (if available). If you do not
receive an admission ticket, or if the information on the
ticket is incorrect, please notify NCHEC immediately at
(888) 624-3248.
*Ticket
Reprint Fee:
A $25
fee will be charged for ticket reprints. NCHEC is not responsible
for individuals who have moved without notice. Please contact
our office for ticket reprint requests.
Exam
Administration
The
exam period is 8:30-11:30 a.m. (local time), however, you
are expected to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the
start time for registration. Once the exam period begins,
NO ONE will be admitted to the testing room. You will have
three hours to complete the exam. Special needs candidates,
with proper documentation, will be allowed up to six hours
for completion.
What
to bring on the Examination Day
Original admission ticket
Photo
identification (i.e., driver's license, employee/student
ID card, passport) If a photo ID is not available, two
(2) pieces of valid identification bearing your signature
must be presented. SOCIAL SECURITY cards are NOT
acceptable,
Several
sharpened No. 2 pencils. Pencils will not be supplied.
Not
Permitted in the Testing Room: books, papers, calculators, cell phones,
reference material, food, visitors or smoking.
Security
No part of the exam may be copied or reproduced in part or in whole by any means whatsoever, including memorization. Candidates may not solicit questions or discuss items that were on previous exams with other NCHEC candidates or individuals who hold the CHES credential. Candidates are required to sign an affirmation and agreement statement on the application. Violation of the affirmation and agreement may result in suspension or revocation of the CHES credential from those who have earned it or suspension or denial of eligibility for future exams.
Examination Grievance
Any complaints regarding testing conditions or irregularities must be submitted in writing within two weeks after the examination date. We value constructive feedback to help us provide a comfortable exam environment.
Examination
Results
Exam
results will be mailed approximately eight weeks after the
exam date. No scores or pass/fail information will be given
by phone, email or fax. NOTE: Candidates who applied
under the 90-Day option will not received exam pass/fail
information until proof of graduation is received by NCHEC.
Rescoring
Your Test Results
In
the event you wish to have the results re-scored, this service
is available through Professional Examination Services (PES).
The results would be hand-scored at a charge of $75
to you. Please contact NCHEC in writing to request this
service.
Failure
If
you do not pass the exam, you may take the next scheduled
exam at a reduced fee of $150. This reduced
fee is only valid for the next scheduled exam date.
To exercise this option, you must submit an exam registration
form by the final exam deadline.
Rescheduling
the Examination
Withdrawal:
This option is available and intended to be used if you
are not anticipating taking the exam in the future. Candidates
will be refunded the exam fee minus a $100 nonrefundable
processing fee. This request is required to be submitted
in writing no later than 30 days prior to the exam date.
If notification is not received within 30 days prior to
the exam date, candidates will automatically be considered
a "no-show" as outlined below. Refunds are available for the exam cycle in which you initially applied.
Deferral:
This option is available for candidates who wish to
reschedule to the next exam date and will be charged a $100
deferral fee. This request is required to be submitted
in writing no later than 30 days prior to the exam
date. If notification is not received within 30 days prior
to the exam date, candidates will automatically be considered
a "no-show" as outlined below.
No-Shows:
If you do not take the exam on the scheduled date you are
considered a "no-show" and will be charged a $150
rescheduling fee. In the case of this event, a candidate's final and only opportunity to test will then be on the next scheduled exam date. NCHEC will be sending registration
instructions for the next exam approximately 30 days after
the exam date. Unexpected circumstances will be considered
and fee waiver requests will be reviewed.
Transfer:
Incomplete applications will automatically transfer to the
next exam date along with an additional $100 transfer
fee. Exam fees are nonrefundable for incomplete applications.
CHES
Certification
By passing
the exam, you become a Certified Health Education Specialist
(CHES) and earn the honor of using this credential.
Each CHES will receive a certificate suitable for framing,
a wallet-sized identification card and orientation materials.
If you applied under the 90-Day option you must submit proof
of graduation in order to become a CHES.
Maintaining
the Certification
The
CHES certification is valid for a period of five years.
All CHES must renew their credential annually, and
recertify every fifth year. Renewal requires paying
the annual renewal fee. Recertification requires accruing
a total of 75 continuing education contact hours (CECH)
by the end of the fifth year. It is recommended that CHES
accumulate a minimum of 15 CECH annually. A Renewal/Recertification
Policies and Procedures booklet will be provided upon certification
and available online.
Benefits
of Certification
Establishes
a national standard
Attests
to your knowledge and skills
Assists
employers in identifying qualified practitioner
Sense of pride and accomplishment
Promotes continued professional development
Please print out the following Appendices as a reference
guide
After completely reading the above instructions
choose the option that best suits your needs. To
view or print a copy of the application you must
have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer.
If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, you may
download the free service below.
Need
help with online forms click here:
**NOTE:
A $100 nonrefundable processing fee is required upon submission of application**
Choose
to print a copy of the CHES application and mail it, along
with your transcript to NCHEC, 1541 Alta Drive, Suite
303, Whitehall, PA 18052-5642.
