Health Education Credentialing | CHES and MCHES

Health education credentialing through NCHEC is all about designating individuals and organizations that have met or exceeded established standards. Receiving CHES® and MCHES® certifications distinguish professionals within the health education field, which is vast and characterized by those included in this video.

The Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®) and Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES®) exams are competency-based tools used to measure possession, application and interpretation of knowledge. The CHES® exam is an entry-level exam and the MCHES® exam is both entry and advanced level.

Professionals in the health education field get the certifications because it reinforces what they’ve already studied in their respective degree programs along with substantiating their credentials. Taking and passing the exams is way for professionals to further their education and commitment to the field of health education. The more professionals that are certified, the better the field will be for all because of the level of competency and knowledge.

For most, it’s also highly marketable when it comes time to apply for a specialized position. Employers are looking for professionals who prove to be highly competent and knowledgeable within the field, and the CHES® and MCHES® certifications display that competency.

“It was something that I really encouraged my interns, my staff, and people that I work with, to get as soon as possible because it lets other people know—especially employers—that you know what the foundation of health education is and you know those core competencies,” says Trisha Zizumbo, a CHES®-certified specialist working at the Oakland County Health Department in Michigan.

Those who hold the CHES® and MCHES® certifications work in a variety of settings, ranging from state and local health departments to school settings and hospitals. These certifications enable and distinguish many professionals working within healthcare and health education throughout the country and it is not limited to only educators.

“I was actually required to have it as a part of my job, which I actually really liked,” says Zachary Raney, a CHES®-certified specialist working in the Northern Kentucky Health Department. He goes on to say that the CHES® certification provided him a foundation for the field and helped him to know what he was about to step into professionally.

You can learn more about the CHES® and MCHES® certification exams by going to: https://www.nchec.org/overview.