The current system used to conduct the occupational census, the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system, currently lists “health educators” as a separate occupation under the category"Community and Social Services Occupations" (http://www.bls.gov/soc/soc_f0a0.htm)

The National Commission for Health Education Credentialing formally opposes the proposed change in classification 21-1091 “Health Educators” by compounding the definition to include Community Health Workers.

NCHEC supports the need for Community Health Workers to be acknowledged in the SOC and supports the further progress of that occupation. However, we strongly believe the roles and responsibilities of health educators and community health workers as well as the skills, education and/or training needed to perform the work at a competent level are sufficiently distinct to warrant independent classifications/categories.

For complete NCHEC rebuttal click here (pdf).