FAQs

The National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc., or NCHEC (pronounced N-Check), is a nonprofit organization whose mission is:

To enhance the professional practice of Health Education by promotion and sustaining a credentialed body of Health Education Specialists. To meet this mission, NCHEC certifies health education specialists, promotes professional development, and strengthens professional preparation and practice.

After more than a decade of work, committed health educators representing the health education profession established NCHEC in April 1988. Today there are more than 15,000 individuals actively carrying the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®) designation and the Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES®).

Every year, the Commission seeks nominations for vacancies on the Board of Commissioners and three Division Boards. All active CHES® and MCHES® are welcome to complete the nomination form that is available on the NCHEC website each spring. NCHEC's Marketing Committee functions on a volunteer basis. All CHES®/MCHES® are welcome. Those interested in serving should contact the Executive Director, Linda Lysoby. Additional opportunities are listed on the website periodically.

The CHES (pronounced chez) designation signifies that an individual has met eligibility requirements for, and has successfully passed a competency-based examination demonstrating skill and knowledge of the Eight Areas of Responsibility of Health Education Specialists, upon which the credential is based.

The MCHES® (pronounced m-chez) designation signifies that an individual has met academic eligibility with courses in health education and has met experience requirements in the health education field, passed a comprehensive written examination demonstrating skill and advanced knowledge of the Eight Areas of Responsibility of Health Education Specialists, and has an ongoing commitment to advanced-level continuing education and professional development.

NCHEC welcomes any information relevant to CHES® and MCHES®, as well as the health education profession. If you have information or an article to submit to the NCHEC News Bulletin, please send it to the Communications Specialist, Misozi Houston.

For any media inquiries, please contact the Communications Specialist, Misozi Houston.

There are Eight Areas of Responsibility of Health Education Specialists that make up the standards of the CHES®/MCHES® credentials. They are:

• Assessment of Needs and Capacity
• Planning
• Implementation
• Evaluation and Research
• Advocacy
• Communication
• Leadership and Management
• Ethics and Professionalism

The foundation for obtaining experience in the Areas of Responsibility is academic training. Many professional preparation programs in health education or related degree programs at colleges and universities have designed their curricula using the Eight Areas of Responsibility of Health Educators. Eligibility for the CHES® examination is based solely on possession of a degree and/or academic preparation related to health education.

Health education specialists are professionals who design, conduct and evaluate activities that help improve the health of all people. These activities can take place in a variety of settings that include schools, communities, health care facilities, businesses, universities and government agencies.

Health education specialists are employed under a range of job titles such as patient educators, health education teachers, health coaches, community organizers, public health educators, and health program managers

Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES®) are those who have met the standards of competence established by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing Inc. (NCHEC) and have successfully passed the CHES® examination.

The certification period for CHES® is five years. During that time a CHES® must accumulate 75 hours of continuing education. Each year the certification is renewed with an annual fee of $60. In the fifth year, the CHES® recertifies by demonstrating completion of 75 continuing education contact hours (CECH) and paying the annual fee.

The MCHES® continuing education requirements are similar to the CHES®, as an individual will need 75 credits in five years to recertify. The 75 CECH required for recertification must include at least 45 hours of Category I CECH (NCHEC approved opportunities) and no more than 30 hours of Category II CECH (events that meet NCHEC standards but are not offered by a Designated Provider). MCHES® are required to earn 30 CECH that are directly related to the advanced-level Sub-competencies from Category I and/or II for each certification cycle. 5 of these CECH must fulfill the Continuing Competency Requirement for recertification. This requirement can be met either through a work performance assessment by a supervisor/client (Category II); OR via an end-of-course learning assessment by a designated provider of continuing education (Category I) as part of these 75 credits.

The CHES® designation after a health educator's name is one indication of professional competency and commitment to continued professional development. 

The MCHES® designation after a health education specialist's name is one indication of professional advanced-level competency and commitment to continued advanced-level professional development.

The certification period for CHES® is five years. During that time a CHES® must accumulate 75 hours of continuing education. Each year the certification is renewed with an annual fee of $70. On the fifth year, the CHES® recertifies by demonstrating completion of 75 continuing education contact hours (CECH) and paying the annual fee.

In order to maintain certification, a CHES® must accumulate a total of 75 Continuing Education Contact Hours (CECH) every five years to be recertified. At least 45 of these CECH must come from offerings by NCHEC preapproved designated providers (Category I); the remaining 30 may come from other providers (Category II). CHES® may choose to earn all 75 CECH in Category I. Category I credits are submitted to NCHEC on a quarterly basis. Category II credits can be submitted online through NCHEC's log-in portal. It is recommended that Category II claim forms are submitted within 90 days of the completion of the event. Five of these CECH must fulfill the Continuing Competency Requirement for recertification. This requirement can be met either through a work performance assessment by a supervisor/client (Category II); OR via an end-of-course learning assessment by a designated provider of continuing education (Category I) as part of these 75 credits.

CECH credits are those experiences that assist in the development or enhancement of the knowledge and skills directly related to the Eight Areas of Responsibility and the individual's professional occupation. NCHEC encourages CHES® to pursue training in all Eight Areas of Responsibility, as competence in all areas is essential to successful health education practice. CHES® are encouraged to accumulate a minimum of 15 CECH per year, and to complete all continuing education requirements at least 90 days prior to recertification. For more information on the continuing education requirements for CHES®, please view the Renewal and Recertification Handbook.

The MCHES® continuing education requirements are similar to the CHES®, as an individual will need 75 credits every five years to recertify. The 75 CECH required for recertification must include a minimum of 45 hours of Category I CECH (NCHEC-approved opportunities) and a maximum of 30 hours of Category II CECH (events that meet NCHEC standards but are not offered by a Designated Provider). MCHES® are required to earn 30 CECH that are directly related to the advanced-level Sub-competencies from Category I and/or II for each certification cycle. All of the advanced-level CECH can be from Category II. Five of these CECH must fulfill the Continuing Competency Requirement for recertification. This requirement can be met either through a work performance assessment by a supervisor/client (Category II); OR via an end-of-course learning assessment by a designated provider of continuing education (Category I) as part of these 75 credits. NCHEC encourages MCHES® to pursue CECH in all Eight Areas of Responsibility, as competence in all areas is essential to successful health education practice. MCHES® are encouraged to accumulate a minimum of 15 CECH per year, and to complete all continuing education requirements at least 90 days prior to recertification.

For more information on the continuing education requirements for MCHES, please view the Renewal and Recertification Handbook.

There are two types of CECH, Category I and Category II:

Category I is a continuing education program/activity which is preapproved by NCHEC. Of the 75 hours to be earned in a five-year period, at least 45 CECH must be earned by participating in Category I activities. All CECH can be earned through Category I activities. CHES®/MCHES® who have accumulated in excess of 75 CECH at the end of the current five-year certification cycle may carry over a maximum of 15 Category I CECH into the next five-year certification cycle. Category II hours are not eligible for carry over. 

Category I activities are offered by Designated Providers. A Designated Provider is an organization that has demonstrated its ability to meet specific NCHEC criteria for offering CHES®/MCHES® Responsibilities/Sub-competencies related activities. Designated Providers report all activities directly to NCHEC either once a quarter or twice a year, depending on what type of provider they are. 

At the end of a Category I activity you will receive a certificate that includes a designated provider number. Keep this certificate as proof of your participation in the activity.

A Category II activity is not preapproved by NCHEC. 

A maximum of 30 CECH can be earned by participating in quality activities that relate to at least one of the Eight Areas of Responsibility for CHES® and at least one of the advanced-level Sub-competencies for MCHES®, but were not approved in advance by NCHEC.

To apply for Category II CECH, you must complete the Category II Claim Form within 90 days following the completion of an event.

Exception to the 45 Category I/30 Category II Rule: 

If you live outside the continental United States you may earn all 75 CECH through activities that are not preapproved by NCHEC. Submit these using the Category II Claim Form.

NCHEC does not charge to process continuing education credits. Individual providers of continuing education may still require payment of administrative fees to defray their costs in completing the provider application, filing the continuing education report, and maintaining attendance records following an event. 

There are several ways you can earn CECH credits, including: attendance at professional meetings, self- study, academic preparation, creative endeavors, professional presentations, and professional service. For more information go to Opportunities for Contact Hours in the Continuing Education section.

NCHEC strives to keep an up-to-date list of Category I (live events and self-studies) activities. You can find that listing here. The easiest way to find activities is to log in to your CHES® account and click on “Continuing Education Credit Activities”. Category II activities are independent activities submitted for approval, therefore the activities are identified by the individual.

Category I (preapproved) Activities: After completion of a Category I activity, the designated provider will report the activity directly to NCHEC and award a certificate of attendance/completion directly to the participating CHES®/MCHES®. The certificate will include the sponsor's “Designated Provider number”. CHES®/MCHES® should retain the certificate in their records. CHES®/MCHES® SHOULD NOT submit any Category I documentation to NCHEC unless requested.

Category II (non-preapproved) Activities: Due to the diversity of Category II opportunities, acceptable forms of documentation will vary. To claim CECH in Category II, CHES®/MCHES® will need to record not only the program information, but also how each activity relates to the Areas of Responsibility or advanced-level Sub-competency. It is recommended that CHES®/MCHES® submit a Category II Claim Form within 90 days following completion of a CECH activity.

Renewal refers to the annual fee required to keep your CHES® designation current.

Recertification refers to the process of starting a new five-year cycle. In order to be recertified and keep your CHES® and MCHES® designation, you must complete the required 75 hours of CECH and be current with your renewal fees.

You can make a payment towards your CHES® or MCHES® renewal or recertification by clicking the “Login” link on the top of your screen. 

Designated Provider status is awarded by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. (NCHEC) to organizations offering health education related continuing education programs and activities for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES®) and the Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES®). NCHEC mandates that all CHES®/MCHES® earn at least a portion of their continuing education requirement for recertification from Designated Providers.

Continuing Education is defined as educational experiences that help CHES®/MCHES® maintain their core competencies, which are:

• Assessment of Needs and Capacity
• Planning
• Implementation
• Evaluation and Research
• Advocacy
• Communication
• Leadership and Management
• Ethics and Professionalism

Continuing education experiences may include seminars, conferences, workshops, academic courses, authorship, professional presentations, professional service, training programs, and directed self-study programs which are at least one-hour in length.

• To attract more health education specialists to your programs
• To increase the visibility and credibility of your organization as a nationally recognized provider of continuing education for health educators
• To provide a needed professional education service to your community
•  To generate revenue from continuing education events
• Free access to the mailing list of all CHES®/MCHES®

If your organization is a local, state, national or international organization/agency involved in the development, implementation, and evaluation of health education related continuing education, you are eligible to become a Designated Provider. Designated Providers can be: medical facilities, colleges/universities, nonprofit organizations, for profit corporations, publishers, health departments, and professional organizations. Contact the Continuing Education Coordinator, if you are not sure you qualify.

There are four categories of Designated Provider. See descriptions below to decide which is best for your organization.

Single Event Provider (SEP): Organizations choosing this category do not plan to offer many continuing education activities that address CHES/MCHES Competencies and Sub-competencies but are seeking approval for one activity only (even if it will be offered more than once in a year)

Multiple Event Provider (MEP): Organizations choosing this category offer several continuing education activities during a two-year or four-year period which address CHES®/MCHES® Competencies and Sub-competencies. These organizations must show evidence of either two previous successful continuing education programs using the NCHEC Single Event Provider (SEP) application within the preceding two-year period; or current designation as a provider of continuing education for another health profession (ie: nursing, diabetes, social work, etc.)

Annual Event Provider (AEP): Organizations choosing this category have offered annual meetings for at least five years which include a great number of sessions addressing CHES®/MCHES® Competencies and Sub-competencies.

Universal Provider Application: This application may be employed in conjunction with any application form used to seek continuing education approval for a single event by another health profession. This format is an alternative to NCHEC's Single Event Provider Application and will lead to the same designation.

• Decide which designated provider category best reflects your situation. If you are not sure, ask us. We will review the criteria with you and help you determine which category best fits your needs and situation.
• Contact the continuing education coordinator and request an application form or download an application.
• Submit application and administrative fee for review.
• Allow 4 weeks for application review.

Applications are reviewed by NCHEC staff, voluntary review panel, and/or NCHEC Division Board for Professional Development for additional review.

• Demonstrated relevance of your (current or future) offerings to health educators.
• Include all requested information.
• Clear and specific responses to all questions.
• Inclusion of at least one active CHES®/MCHES® on the event planning committee.
• Submit check/money order/credit card information for the appropriate amount.

Click here for more information.

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

The CHES® examination is a computer-based test administered by PSI at hundreds of test sites nationwide and expanded international locations. Candidates have a total of three hours to answer 165 multiple-choice questions (150 scored and 15 pilot-tested questions) based upon the Eight Areas of Responsibility of Health Education Specialists.

Information on how the passing score for the CHES® exam is determined can be found on the exam background and scoring page here.

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

Yes, there is a discounted fee for full-time (enrolled in a min. of 9 credits) students if the application is filed by the early bird registration deadline. Please refer to the exam schedule and fees page for more information.

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.

There has been an increase in employers requiring or preferring the CHES® certification for health education positions. Many positions read CHES® preferred.

Yes, veterans and their eligible dependents 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.

You can purchase the exam study materials by clicking here or by clicking on the bookstore link on the Homepage. You can purchase the books individually, in discounted book packages, or in digital eBook format.

Both current CHES® and non-CHES® can be eligible to sit for the MCHES® exam. For CHES®: active status for five continuous years immediately prior to the exam. For non-CHES®, individuals are required to have a master’s degree or higher in health education or a master’s degree or higher in a related discipline with at least 25 credit hours specific to health education. Additionally, individuals 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. 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 - July 31

The MCHES® examination is a computer-based test administered at hundreds of PSI test sites nationwide, with some international locations. Candidates have a total of three hours to answer 165 multiple-choice (150 scored and 15 pilot-tested) questions based upon the Eight Areas of Responsibility of Health Education Specialists and both the entry and advanced-level Sub-competencies. More information on the MCHES® Exam can be found in the MCHES® Exam Handbook. 

The Health Education Specialist: Companion Guide for Professional Excellence, 8th Edition, and A Competency-Based Framework for Health Education Specialists - 2020, are revised publications that reflect the results of Health Education Practice Analysis 2020 (HESPA II) and include updated and validated Competencies and Sub-competencies at the entry-and advanced-level. The companion guide includes a supplement with 165 practice questions for the MCHES exam only. These publications can be purchased separately, together as a discounted package, or in eBook format.  Click the Bookstore link on the Homepage.

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.
 

Continuing education credits earned as a CHES® do not carry over; however if you earned more than 75 credits in your CHES® cycle, a maximum of 15 credits are eligible to be carried over into the MCHES® certification cycle.

The philosophy behind the policy is that continuing education toward recertification needs to be part of the ongoing commitment to professional development, not something done in the past. This becomes especially important as the Responsibilities, Competencies and Sub-competencies that are the basis of the certification and the continuing education requirement for recertification are updated every five years. 

The 75 credits must be earned within the current five year period, and at least 30 of them must be in the advanced level.

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 in 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 a 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.
 

No, as long as the individual meets the non-CHES® eligibility requirements, CHES® certification is not a pre-requisite of the MCHES® certification.