Title: The National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc.
1 The National Commission for Health Education
Credentialing, Inc.
- NCHEC
- 1541 Alta Drive, Suite 303
- Whitehall, PA 18052
- Phone (888) 624-3248
- Fax (800) 813-0727
- www.nchec.org
2 NCHECs Mission
- Improve the practice of health education
- Serve the public and profession
- Certifying health education specialists
- Promoting professional development
- Strengthening professional preparation and
practiceÂ
3NCHEC StructureNon-Profit Agency
4History 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
5Credentialing What is it?
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS/ UNIVERSITIES AND
COLLEGES __________________ Accreditation
INDIVIDUALS __________________ Licensure Certifica
tion Registration
6 Quality Assurance Mechanisms
- Licensure Government
- Certification Professional
- Registration State Local
- Accreditation - Program
7Certified 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
8Benefits 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
9 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
10Individual Decisions
- Professional distinction
- Desire to excel mark of excellence
- Credential for comparison with other professions
- Commitment to continuing education
11The 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
12CHES Responsibilities
- Assess
- Plan
- Implement
- Evaluate
- Coordinate
- Act as Resource
- Communicate
13CHES 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
14Pre-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)
15 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
16 CHES Exam Schedule
- Exam dates are scheduled twice a year in the
months of - April October
17 Apply for CHES Exam
- Exam Application Transcripts
- Registration Deadlines Fees
18CHES 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
19CHES Continuing Education
- Continuing Education Contact Hours (CECH)
- 75 CECH are required for the five-year
recertification -
20Continuing 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
21CHES Continuing Education Opportunities
- Conferences, Workshops, and Seminars
- Self-Study Programs
- Academic Preparation
- Professional Presentations
- Creative Endeavors
- Professional Service
22 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 .
23NCHECs 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
24 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.
25For 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