Both current CHES and non-CHES can be eligible to sit for the MCHES exam. For CHES: active status for five (5) continuous years immediately prior to the exam. For Non-CHES: required to have a master’s degree or higher in health education or master’s degree or higher in a related discipline with at least 25 credit hours specific to health education. Additionally, must have five years of documented experience as a health education specialist. Applicants must submit two verification forms from a current or past supervisor, and a current curriculum vitae/resume.

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

NCHEC offers a prescreen service for those individuals who are unsure of their eligibility. This is a separate optional service offered to non-CHES and should ONLY be used if you are not sure you meet the requirements for the MCHES exam. The prescreen service will review the academic component of eligibility. If you are found to be eligible that $25 prescreen request 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.

Prescreen Schedule:

? April Cycle: November 1- February 1

? October Cycle: May 2- August 1

The MCHES 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 (150 scored and 15 pilot tested)questions based upon the Seven Areas of Responsibility of Health Education Specialist and the 61 advanced level Sub-competencies.

The MCHES Exam Companion Guide Supplement is based on the Health Educator Job Analysis-2010 and includes updated and validated Competencies and Sub-competencies at the entry-and advanced-level. This companion guide includes a supplement with 165 practice questions for the MCHES exam only. Click the Publications Quick Link tab on the left to view and purchase.

The only eligibility requirement for current CHES to sit for the MCHES examination is five continuous years active status. Submission of documentation is not a requirement for eligibility.

The curriculum vitae/resume must clearly show that the applicant has been engaged in the Areas of Responsibility for at least five years. It is not a requirement that the health education experience be the immediate past five years. Current employment at the time of application is not necessary. Additionally, health education experience may be prior to completion of graduate degree.

Health Education experience can be full-time, part-time and/or intermittent. The applicant will meet the experience component of eligibility, as long as the applicant has at least five years of documented experience as a health education specialist.

Volunteer experience does not qualify towards the five years of experience as a health education specialist.