Eligibility is determined solely through academic preparation; college/university degree and health education coursework. While experience in the field may be beneficial when taking the exam it does not count towards eligibility. Eligibility is determined on an individual basis. Graduation or credits from a specific program do not automatically qualify an individual for exam eligibility.

No. Students enrolled in an accredited institution of higher education who provide an official transcript showing a minimum of 25 semester hours relating to the Areas of Responsibility, and who will be graduating within 90 days of a testing date may take the CHES exam. The student candidate must also submit written verification from a faculty advisor affirming that the student will be academically qualified by the examination date. For 90-day candidates, exam results will be released once proof of graduation has been received by the exam coordinator.

NCHEC offers a prescreen service for those individuals who are unsure of their eligibility. Exam eligibility is determined through a review of an individual's academic transcript. To request this service, the prescreen request form, a $25 nonrefundable fee and an official transcript must be submitted to NCHEC. If the applicant is found ineligible, course deficiencies will be identified and guidance for qualification will be provided. If the applicant is deemed eligible, the $25 fee is then applied toward the exam fee, and an application will be mailed. All applicants are notified in writing of their prescreen outcome. This service is particularly useful to applicants whose academic preparation does not include a degree in health education, but may have accumulated sufficient health education course work to qualify for the CHES exam.

Maybe. A Master of Public Health (MPH) alone does not qualify an individual to take the CHES exam. An applicant's degree must explicitly be in a discipline of "Health Education," or a transcript reflecting at least 25 semester hours (37 quarter hours of course work specifically addressing the Seven Areas of Responsibility of Health Education Specialists.

Maybe. Experience alone will not meet eligibility requirements. If you have a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree from a accredited institution of higher education and 25 semester hours or 37 quarter hours of course work with specific preparation addressing the Seven Areas of Responsibility for Health Education Specialists, you may be eligible.

Maybe. Generally clinical health programs do not specifically address the Seven Areas of Responsibility of Health Education Specialists in enough coursework to qualify. But you may still qualify through additional coursework. If you have a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree from an accredited institution of higher education and 25 semester hours or 37 quarter hours of course work with specific preparation addressing the Seven Areas of Responsibility of Health Education Specialists you may be eligible.

To be eligible to take the CHES examination an individual must have a bachelor's, master's, or doctorate's degree from an accredited institution of higher education

AND

Have an official transcript that clearly shows a major in health education, e.g., Health Education, School Health Education, Public Health Education, Community Health Education, etc. OR Have an official transcript that reflects at least 25 semester hours (37 quarter hours) of course work addressing the Seven Areas of Responsibility of Health Education Specialists.

The CHES exam is offered twice a year - April and October. CHES Exam Schedule

The CHES examination is a paper-and-pencil test administered by the Professional Examination Service (PES) at 120 test sites nationwide. Candidates have three hours to answer 165 multiple-choice questions (150 scored and 15 pilot-tested questions) based upon the Seven Areas of Responsibility of Health Education Specialists.

The passing score varies by the version of the exam. The passing point is determined by using a variety of statistical techniques (A modification of the Angoff method and equating), which takes difficulty in account.

More detailed information on exam scoring and a breakdown of percentages can be found here.

Fees for the CHES exam are based on when you file your application. There are four filing deadlines. The filing deadlines and fees for the CHES exams can be found here.

Yes. For full-time (enrolled in a min. of 9 credits) students, the fee is $210 if application is filed by the third registration deadline. Any student applications filed after the third registration deadline must pay final registration fee of $265.

No, school codes are listed as a reference. It is not an indication that you will obtain automatic eligibility and approval for the exam. You must still meet the eligibility requirements.

There are several benefits to becoming a CHES:

• Establishes a national standard for practice, as opposed to state or local certifications and registries
• Attests to an individual's knowledge and skills in areas deemed necessary to the field of practice as delineated by the profession
• Assists employers in identifying qualified practitioners and assures employers that services are provided by professionals who have met national standards
• Convey a sense of pride and accomplishment in the profession
• Promotes continued professional development.

Over the last several years, more employers then ever have begun to submit health educator/health promotion positions descriptions as “CHES preferred.”

Yes, veterans and their eligible dependants may qualify for reimbursement for the CHES exam through their veteran's education benefits under the provisions of Title 38, United States Code, Section 3689. Veterans who took the CHES exam dating back no earlier than March 1, 2001 may qualify for exam fee reimbursement. For more information, please contact the Veterans Benefits Administration office in your area or visit the US Department of Veterans Affairs Education Benefits website: http://www.gibill.va.gov/ .

You can purchase the eam study materials by clicking here or by clicking on the Publications link under the Quick Links found on the NCHEC.org Home Page. You can purchase the books individually or in discounted book packages.