Continuing Competency
Effective April 1, 2019: CHES® and MCHES® need 5 Continuing Competency (CC) credits completed within their five-year cycle to recertify. There will be a Category I OR Category II CECH option to fulfill your CC requirement.
In 2019, NCHEC implemented a new Continuing Competency (CC) requirement for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES®) and Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES®). Continuing Competency is the demonstration of specified levels of knowledge, skills, or ability beyond CHES® and MCHES® certification and throughout an individual’s professional career. The CC requirements will demonstrate the Continuing Competency of a Certified or Master Certified Health Education Specialist, as well as demonstrate a career commitment to the professional development and growth that represents the NCHEC credentials.
Continuing Competency Requirements for CHES® and MCHES® Recertification
CHES® and MCHES® are required to complete five hours of CC as part of their 75 Continuing Education Contact Hour (CECH) by the fifth year of recertification. The earliest that CC requirements will be due for recertification is in March of 2024.
View the Timeline Graphic for Continuing Competency
Completion of the CC requirements can be met one of two ways:
1. Completion of an assessment or quiz at the end of a Category I CECH event OR
2. Completion of the CC Performance Assessment form evaluating job duties. This form can only be completed by a supervisor or client.
View the Category II Performance Assessment
Where can I locate Continuing Competency events?
- Category I CC opportunities are now searchable on the NCHEC website.
- Many of the Category I CECH that you are already familiar with will count as CC credits (e.g., self-studies, webinars, and professional readings with end-of-study assessments, workshops, and teach-backs, demonstration of skills, etc.) Category I CC credits will be reported on your behalf by the NCHEC provider. Only five CC CECH need to be completed in each five-year certification cycle.
- A Performance Assessment form can be submitted for five CC Category II CECH.
Why is NCHEC requiring Continuing Competency?
NCHEC is fully committed to certifying individuals in accordance with national and international accreditation standards. Both the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) and the International Accreditation Service (ISO 17024) accreditation standards now include continuing competency measurements.
NCHEC is also dedicated to meeting public expectations about the competence of practitioners in the field of health education and health promotion. Therefore, NCHEC’s Board of Commissioners voted in 2019 to include a measurement of continuing competency as part of the recertification process for both CHES® and MCHES®.
Still have questions about Continuing Competency? Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions listed below for additional details regarding the new CC requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Continuing Competency
Why is this change occurring?
NCHEC is fully committed to certifying individuals in accordance with national and international accreditation standards. Both the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) and the International Accreditation Service (ISO 17024) accreditation standards now include continuing competency measurements. NCHEC is also dedicated to meeting public expectations about the competence of practitioners in the field of health education and promotion. For this reason, NCHEC's Board of Commissioners voted to include a measurement of continuing competency as part of the recertification process for both CHES® and MCHES®.
When is this change occurring?
Effective 2019, NCHEC has adjusted recertification requirements to include this definition of continuing competency. A measurement of an individual’s continued competence during his/her 5-year recertification cycle will include either 1) an assessment (Category I CECH) OR 2) an evaluation of job duties by a supervisor (Category II Performance Assessment). This adjustment will begin with individuals whose new recertification cycle began on April 1, 2019, and will not be complete until March 31, 2024.
Will I have to take an exam?
No. Continuing Competency measurements include either 1) a CE end-of-course assessment/quiz provided by a Category I Provider, OR, 2) an “assessment” of performance by a supervisor or client (worth five Category II CECHs). Although an exam was an option initially considered, the NCHEC Division Board for Professional Development voted to adopt an assessment format rather than an exam.
What does the performance assessment option involve?
The Category II CECH Continuing Competence Performance Assessment is a two-step process. 1) The credential holder completes a self-appraisal of his/her performance demonstrating continuing competence. 2) The assessor reviews and responds to the Continuing Competence Performance Assessment and returns it to the applicant. The assessor may be a current supervisor/manager, a past supervisor/manager, or a client. Note: This is the first time a CHES® credential holder may submit work experience as continuing education. The performance assessment will be worth five full CECHs toward recertification.
How will I know when my continuing competency requirements are due?
All CHES® and MCHES® will be notified of the new continuing competency requirements, and when this requirement will become a part of his/her recertification cycle. The program implementation date will commence with those who will begin a new recertification cycle on April 1, 2019 (ending in 2024) and continue with subsequent cycles. CHES® and MCHES® will have five full years to complete and submit the new requirements.
Can I take an extension for continuing competency requirements?
Yes, but you can only take a maximum of two extensions in any recertification period.
Do I need to complete both Category I and Category II CC credits?
No. You may choose one or the other. A Category II performance assessment is worth five credits and would fulfill your requirement.
How do I know which CECH will count as continuing competency?
Category I Continuing Competency credits will be searchable on the Credit Activities page at www.nchec.org. These credits will be reported to us by the provider – you will not have to submit a form for Category I.
If you have additional questions about the continuing competency requirements, please email nchec@nchec.org.