The National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc.

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The National Commission for Health Education
Credentialing, Inc.

• NCHEC
• 1541 Alta Drive, Suite 303
• Whitehall, PA 18052
• Phone [phone]
• Fax [phone]
• www.nchec.org

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NCHECs Mission

• Improve the practice of health education
• Serve the public and profession
• Certifying health education specialists
• Promoting professional development
• Strengthening professional preparation and
  practice 

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NCHEC StructureNon-Profit Agency
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History of NCHEC Credentialing of Health
Educators

• 1978 National Task Force developed
• 1980 Role verification
• 1985 - Competencies established
• 1988 - NCHEC incorporated as a non-profit
  organization
• 1989 Charter certification initiated - work
  history
• 1990 First CHES Exam given
• 1997 CHES exam offered twice a year
• 1998 Competencies Update Project (CUP) in
  progress
• 2000 Code of Ethics for Health Education
  Profession adopted
• 2002 (Milestone Year) More than 10,000
  individuals certified
• 2004 CUP Project Completed

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Credentialing What is it?
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS/ UNIVERSITIES AND
COLLEGES __________________ Accreditation
INDIVIDUALS __________________ Licensure Certifica
tion Registration
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Quality Assurance Mechanisms

• Licensure Government
• Certification Professional
• Registration State Local
• Accreditation - Program

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Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES)
Certification

• This certification has been developed for
• health education profession
• mastery of the fundamental skills
• across all practice settings
• voluntary credentialing

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Benefits of Certification

• Establishes national standard
• Attests to individuals knowledge and skills
• Assists employers in identifying qualified
  practitioners
• Sense of pride and accomplishment
• Promotes continued professional development

C - Certified H - Health E - Education
S - Specialist
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Other Benefits

• Affiliated with Health Education Credentialing
  Organization
• Updates on efforts within profession
• Notices of continuing education opportunities
• Receive newsletter other mailings
• Free job postings

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Individual Decisions

• Professional distinction
• Desire to excel mark of excellence
• Credential for comparison with other professions
• Commitment to continuing education

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The Framework for CHES(Areas of Responsibility
Competencies for Health Educators)

• Sets broad standards of practice
• Measurable performance
• Useful for faculty in curriculum development
• Standard to evaluate continuing education
  programs

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CHES Responsibilities

• Assess
• Plan
• Implement
• Evaluate

• Coordinate
• Act as Resource
• Communicate

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CHES Eligibility Requirements

• Bachelors, Masters or Doctoral degree from an
  accredited institution AND
• A major in health education, community health
  education, public health education, school health
  education
• OR
• 25 semester hours (37 quarter hours) specific to
  course work related to competencies

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Pre-screening/ Review of Credentials

• This is a optional service offered to individuals
  who are not sure if they meet the requirements
  for the exam
• Transcripts are reviewed to determine eligibility
  
• 25 fee (non-refundable)

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The CHES Examination

• Competency-based
• Pencil and paper exam
• 150 multiple choice questions
• Identifies each area of responsibility
• Offered at over 120 testing locations nationwide
• Study Guide available

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CHES Exam Schedule

• Exam dates are scheduled twice a year in the
  months of
• April October

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Apply for CHES Exam

• Exam Application Transcripts
• Registration Deadlines Fees

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CHES Certification Requirements

• Pass written examination
• Annual renewal fee
• 75 hours of continuing education within 5 year
  cycle
• Recertify at the fifth year if
• Renewal fees paid
• Continuing education requirement met

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CHES Continuing Education

• Continuing Education Contact Hours (CECH)
• 75 CECH are required for the five-year
  recertification

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Continuing Education CECH Categories

• Category I Events offered by providers
  pre-approved by NCHEC
  Minimum 45 CECH
• Category II Events offered by providers not
  pre-approved by NCHEC Maximum
  30 CECH

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CHES Continuing Education Opportunities

• Conferences, Workshops, and Seminars
• Self-Study Programs
• Academic Preparation
• Professional Presentations
• Creative Endeavors
• Professional Service

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Employment Opportunities

• College University
• Consultant Practices
• Government Agencies (all levels)
• Health Care/Medical Care
• International Health
• Non-Profit Organizations
• Private Companies
• Public/Community Health Organizations
• School Health
• Worksites
• Others .

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NCHECs Future Goals Objectives

• Enhance professional development through
  expanding continuing education
• Move toward a greater market presence
• Raise awareness among employers to encourage
  advancement of certified practitioners
• Competency Update Project (CUP) findings
  implementation
• Evaluate possibility of university accreditation
  requirement for CHES exam eligibility

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Did You Know

• Health Education is now recognized as a specific
  occupation by the Department of Labor.
• Employers are recognizing salary advancement to
  individuals who are CHES certified many prefer
  the CHES credential in hiring and promoting
  health educators.
• CHES designation is required for health educators
  in Arkansas other states seem poised to follow.

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For More Information

• The National Commission for Health Education
  Credentialing, Inc.
• 1541 Alta Drive, Suite 303 Whitehall, PA 18052
• (888) NCHEC4U (624-3248)
• www.nchec.org
• Brochures CHES Exam Application Study
  Guide