Renewal & Recertification
The purpose of professional certification is to ensure a high level of competence in the health education workforce. Maintenance of this competence is supported by continued training in the knowledge and methods of the field. Read the Renewal and Recertification announcement here.
Renewal
After certification, the CHES®/MCHES® credential must be renewed every year by payment of a $70.00 annual fee.
Recertification
Recertification takes place every five years. Requirements for recertification include the accrual of continuing education contact hours (CECH) and payment of the annual fee.
Renewal and recertification materials are mailed to CHES®/MCHES® four to six weeks before the renewal or recertification date. A transcript of CECH accumulated during the current five-year certification cycle is available at any time through the certificant's portal on the NCHEC Website.
Recertification for CHES®
After initial certification, each CHES® must earn 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 CECH may come from other providers (Category II) and reported using the CAT II claim form.
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.
CHES® may choose to earn all 75 CECH in Category I. CHES® who are due to recertify on October 1st must have all continuing education requirements completed by September 30th; CHES® who are due to recertify on April 1st must have all continuing education requirements completed by March 31st.
Recertification for MCHES®
After initial certification, each MCHES® must earn 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 CECH may come from other providers (Category II) and must be reported using the CAT II claim form.
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.
In addition, 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 CAT II.
MCHES® who are due to recertify on October 1st must have all continuing education requirements completed by September 30th; MCHES® who are due to recertify on April 1st must have all continuing education requirements completed by March 31st.
Recertification by Examination
If a CHES®/MCHES® does not earn enough contact hours within the five-year certification cycle and has exhausted extension privileges, they may recertify by re-taking the CHES®/MCHES® examination.
To recertify by examination a CHES®/MCHES® must:
- Meet the current eligibility criteria to take the examination
- Apply and make payment by the stated deadline for the examination using the official CHES®/MCHES® examination application
- Follow the exam application instructions for a new applicant
- Pass the CHES®/MCHES® examination (the CHES®/MCHES® examination is given in April and October)
Failure to pass the examination will result in the expiration of CHES®/MCHES® certification as of the end of the current five-year certification period.
For more information on the continuing education requirements view the Policies and Procedures Handbook.