DISCIPLINARY POLICY

The National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. (NCHEC) may temporarily suspend or permanently revoke an individual’s certification. The Order of Revocation or Suspension shall state clearly, and with reasonable particularity, grounds for suspension or revocation. A Certified Health Education Specialist’s (CHES) certification may be suspended or revoked for any reason deemed appropriate by NCHEC including, but not limited to, the following:

1. Falsification of the certification application.
2. Falsification of any information requested by NCHEC.
3. Misrepresentation of certification status.
4. Cheating (or reasonable evidence of intent to cheat) on the examination.

Complaints regarding a credential holder’s behavior and suspected grounds for suspension or revocation must be sent in writing to the NCHEC Executive Director. Complaints will be reviewed by the Executive Committee of the NCHEC Board of Commissioners within 30 days of receipt by NCHEC and will be handled confidentially. Decisions will be presented in writing to the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) within 60 days of receipt of the complaint.

Executive Director
National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc.
1541 Alta Drive, Suite 303, Whitehall, PA 18052-5642

APPEALS POLICY

An appeal procedure is available to any applicant (Applicant)/Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) to contest any adverse decision affecting his/her CHES examination eligibility or CHES status. Any individual who does not file a request for an appeal within the required time limit shall waive the right to appeal.

Applicants/CHES may appeal:

Applicants/CHES cannot appeal:

1. actions taken by NCHEC in setting a passing score
2. established eligibility requirements
3. individual test items
4. test content validity

Definitions

An "adverse decision" shall mean any unfavorable decision made by NCHEC regarding one's exam eligibility, CHES renewal/recertification or CHES status.

Procedure for Appeals

Filing the Appeal

1. An appeal will only be considered if postmarked within thirty calendar days following the postmark date on the envelope in which the appellant was notified of the adverse decision.
2. NCHEC strongly suggests appeals be sent by certified mail or overnight courier service (UPS, FedEx, etc.) with return receipt requested. Appeals by facsimile or e-mail are not accepted.
3. A fee of $25 must be paid and is not refundable if the appeal is denied.
4. An appeal must be submitted in writing (preferably typewritten) to the NCHEC Executive Director who will, in turn, submit it to the appropriate NCHEC decision-making body. The written appeal packet must contain the envelope from NCHEC showing the postmark date of the adverse decision.
5. The appeal should identify the adverse decision being appealed and explicitly state the reasons for the appeal. The appeal shall set forth any new or additional information to be considered.
6. The only additional information that may be submitted after the initial filing is that which is requested by the appropriate NCHEC decision-making body.

Review and Consideration

1. The appropriate NCHEC decision-making body shall review and consider a properly filed appeal during its next regularly scheduled monthly meeting.
2. Where it deems necessary, a division board has the authority to request from the Board of Commissioners (BOC) an opinion regarding any aspect of the applicant’s appeal.
3. The appropriate NCHEC decision making body shall make a determination as to whether it will uphold the adverse decision or not, or order other action that it deems necessary.
4. The NCHEC Executive Director shall notify the applicant of the appropriate NCHEC decision making body’s decision, and the reasons therefore, within fifteen business days following the date of the appropriate NCHEC decision making body’s decision.
5. The appropriate NCHEC decision making body’s decision is final.