Extensive research involving health education specialists across the nation has verified the existence of entry- and advanced-levels of health education practice with the differentiation at five years of experience. In 2009, it was released that the NCHEC Board of Commissioners voted to implement an advanced-level of certification. This proves to be an exciting time for the profession of health education and for health education specialists. The MCHES examination will be offered for the first time in October 2011. The MCHES exam is offered in conjunction with the CHES examination in April and October at over 120 testing sites across the country.
The MCHES examination is a criterion-referenced test that contains 165 items; 150 of the items are used for the total score and there are 15 pilot items on each exam. Examinees will be informed that there are pilot items on the exam, however, the candidate will not be told which items are being piloted and which items are being scored. Item piloting will be used to determine the psychometric properties of an item before the item is actually included as a “scored item” on an examination. The Professional Examination Service (PES), which serves as NCHEC’s consultant for examination creation and administration, has recommended that NCHEC pilot new items on the MCHES exam to ensure high statistical integrity of this certification examination. This also allows for the removal of items that do not perform at acceptable levels for certifying examinations.
The passing score for each exam is determined by a modified Angoff method and represents a fixed standard of knowledge, independent of candidate performance. Essentially, this method allows subject-matter experts to establish a level of knowledge that is expected of professionals who are minimally competent. This passing point is reviewed, and statistics are analyzed to ensure reliability and validity of the MCHES exam. By using this methodology there is no curve, and candidates do not compete against one another. There is also no penalty for guessing on an item on the exam.
