Extension: A CHES/MCHES who has paid their renewal fee for the current certification year but have not fulfilled all CECH requirements may request a one-year extension of his/her recertification cycle.

CHES/MCHES may request extension status for a maximum of two years during any five-year certification cycle (approved in one-year increments). A letter of explanation for the request must be submitted each year. At the end of the current renewal year, the CHES/MCHES will automatically return to 'active' status, as long as current renewal fees are paid.

Extension status may be granted for special circumstances including, but not limited to: personal or family illness, graduate study, foreign residency.

While on 'extension' status, a CHES/MCHES:

• may continue to earn CECH
• is not permitted to hold any elective NCHEC office
• is not allowed to serve on any planning committee as a CHES/MCHES representative

Retired: CHES/MCHES who are permanently retired from the health education profession and are in active/good standing may apply for retired status. After retired status is approved and awarded, a retired CHES must use CHES (Ret.) after his/her name. Retired status is considered a permanent status. No CECH requirement exists for CHES/MCHES in retired status. The annual renewal fee is $15.00. All applicable fees must be paid for the period you are requesting retired status before the request will be granted.