“We took the time to do it right.” ~Helen Cleary, CHES® #1
The words uttered by our very first Certified Health Education Specialist and founder of what is today the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. (NCHEC) continues to ring true. The year 2019 marks the 30th Anniversary of our esteemed organization and its journey along the path of the promotion of health education specialists through the CHES® and MCHES® credentials and the strengthening of professional preparation and practice in our industry, with over 14,500 actively certified individuals.
NCHEC has made some amazing strides over the past three decades, which include the continued delineation of the core competencies for Certified Health Education Specialists across many diverse practice settings, and the administration of tens of thousands of certification exams across the country. This year will mark the completion of the fifth practice analysis survey since our inception: the Health Education Specialist Practice Analysis (HESPA II), co-sponsored by the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE), which will serve as the basis for the CHES® and MCHES® examinations and a curriculum guide for health education professional preparation programs. Several significant milestones have been reached over the past decade, including the addition of an advanced-level credential known as the MCHES®, and the transition from a paper-based examination to an enhanced computer-based testing format with international reach.
Throughout the 2019 year, NCHEC will be remembering accomplishments from the past thirty years, recognizing individuals who have contributed to our historic achievements, as well as looking ahead to the future with a new Strategic Plan initiative. Indeed, NCHEC has played a vital role in enhancing and promoting the profession of health education and promotion and in ensuring the competence of its workforce. In upcoming months, please take time to visit www.nchec.org and view our 30th Anniversary Historical Timeline, read more about upcoming endeavors, and take advantage of our expanded resources for practicing and aspiring CHES® and MCHES®.