CHES® Overview
The Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®) examination is a competency-based tool used to measure possession, application and interpretation of knowledge in the Seven Areas of Responsibility for Health Education Specialists delineated by A Competency-Based Framework for Health Education Specialists 2015. The exam reflects the entry-level Sub-competencies of these Areas of Responsibility.
The CHES® exam has met national standards in credentialing and has been accredited by the National Commission of Certified Agencies accreditation since 2008.
Consisting of 165 multiple-choice questions (150 scored and 15 pilot tested), the CHES® examination is offered in paper-and-pencil format at college campuses throughout the United States. While there are approximately 130 testing sites currently registered, any campus with a testing service is eligible to become a testing site.
Below is the CHES® examination blueprint based on the Health Educator Job Analysis Study and the percentages of questions by the Seven Areas of Responsibility.
Exam Eligibility
CHES® Eligibility
Eligibility to take the CHES® examination is based exclusively on academic qualifications.
CHES® Exam Eligibility
MCHES® Eligibility
The MCHES® exam eligibility includes both academic and experience requirements.
MCHES® Exam Eligibility
| Area of Responsibility of Health Education Specialists |
% of Questions on CHES® Exam |
| Assess Needs, Resources, and Capacity for Health Education/Promotion |
15% |
| Plan Health Education/Promotion |
18% |
| Implement Health Education/Promotion |
25% |
| Conduct Evaluation and Research Related to Health Education/Promotion |
9% |
| Administer and Manage Health Education/Promotion |
12% |
| Serve as a Health Education/Promotion Resource Person |
9% |
| Communicate, Promote, and Advocate for Health, Health Education/Promotion and the Profession |
12% |
A CHES® is an individual that has:
- Met required academic preparation qualifications
- Successfully passed a competency-based examination administered by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc.
- Satisfies the continuing education requirement to maintain the national credential
To download the CHES® exam brochure, click here.
MCHES® Overview
The Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES®) examination is used to assess the extent to which a candidate can possess, apply, and interpret knowledge relative to the Seven Areas of Responsibility of Health Education Specialist; delineated from A Competency-Based Framework for Health Education Specialists — 2015. The MCHES® exam reflects both the entry and advanced-level Competencies and Sub-competencies of the Seven Areas of Responsibility.
The MCHES® exam has met national standards in credentialing and has been accredited by the National Commission of Certified Agencies accreditation since 2013.
The MCHES® examination is a criterion-referenced test that contains 165 multiple choice items; 150 of the items are used for the total score and there are 15 pilot items on each exam. The MCHES® examination is offered in paper-and-pencil format at college campuses throughout the United States. While there are approximately 130 testing sites currently registered, any campus with a testing service is eligible to become a testing site.
Below is the MCHES® examination blueprint based on the Health Educator Job Analysis Study and the percentages of questions by the Seven Areas of Responsibility.
| Area of Responsibility of Health Education Specialists |
% of Questions on MCHES® Exam |
| Assess Needs, Resources, and Capacity for Health Education/Promotion |
10% |
| Plan Health Education/Promotion |
16% |
| Implement Health Education/Promotion |
15% |
| Conduct Evaluation and Research Related to Health Education/Promotion |
20% |
| Administer and Manage Health Education/Promotion |
18% |
| Serve as a Health Education/Promotion Resource Person |
12% |
| Communicate, Promote, and Advocate for Health, Health Education/Promotion and the Profession |
9% |
A MCHES® is an advanced-level practitioner that has:
- Met required academic qualifications, worked in the field for a minimum of five years
- Successfully passed a competency-based examination administered by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc.
- Satisfies the continuing education requirement to maintain the national credential
To download the MCHES® exam brochure, click here.