Overview

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Exam Overview

The Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®) and Master Certified Health Education (MCHES®) examinations are competency-based tools used to measure possession, application, and interpretation of knowledge in the key Areas of Responsibility for Health Education Specialists delineated by a national Health Education Specialist Practice Analysis II 2020 study known as the HESPA II. The CHES® and MCHES® certifications create a national and international standard for health education specialists practicing at both entry and advanced levels.

READ MORE: The Difference Between CPH and CHES® Certification

 

The CHES® Exam 

The CHES® exam is :

  • designed for individuals in the early stages of their career
  • validated by a comprehensive job analysis study that identified entry-level Competencies for health education specialists- testing you on what is relevant in the profession
  • designed for health education specialists who select participants and deliver training
  • designed for health education specialists who identify existing data collection instruments for program evaluation
Apply for the CHES Exam
 

The MCHES® Exam

The MCHES® exam is:

  • designed for experienced specialists with at least five years of experience
  • validated by a comprehensive job analysis that identified advanced-level Competencies and Sub-competencies for experienced health education specialists
  • designed for health education specialists responsible for developing and managing budgets, and applying ethical principles
  • designed for health education specialists responsible for identifying staff development and training needs
  • designed for health education specialists who develop and monitor strategic plans

Consisting of 165 multiple-choice questions (150 scored and 15 pilot tested), both the CHES® and MCHES® examinations are only in computer-based format at more than 400 PSI test centers worldwide. Live Remote Proctoring (LRP) is now available with verified technology requirements. Candidates are allotted 3 hours to complete the exam questions. Total seat time at PSI Test Centers, including tutorials and surveys, is 3.5 hours.

Apply for the MCHES Exam

Exam Eligibility

CHES® Exam Eligibility

Eligibility to take the CHES® examination is based exclusively on academic qualifications.

CHES® Exam Eligibility

MCHES® Exam Eligibility

The MCHES® exam eligibility includes both academic and experience requirements.

MCHES® Exam Eligibility


NCAA AccreditedThe CHES® and MCHES® examinations have met national standards in credentialing and have been accredited by the National Commission of Certified Agencies accreditation since 2008. 

IAS Accredited

NCHEC also is internationally accredited as a Personnel Certification Body by the International Accreditation Service (IAS) to the ISO/IEC 17024 Conformity Assessment. 


Examination Statistics

The National Commission for Health Education Credentialing continues to show solid growth in certifying both CHES® and MCHES®. The 2021 exam cycle had a total of 2,700 CHES® registrants and 254 MCHES® registrants. To date, there are over 15,300 CHES® and MCHES® representing all 50 states in the United States, Puerto Rico, as well as many others who are practicing internationally or on military bases overseas.

Figure 1: Number of CHES® and MCHES® Certified per year from 2011 - 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 2: Registered-Tested-Passed 2011 - 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 3: 2021 CHES® and MCHES® by State Map

 

 
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