Please join NCHEC staff for a Webinar entitled, MCHES: A New Advanced-level Health Education Credential, hosted by HpCareer.net as part of their Lunch and Learn Series.

1. MCHES : A New Advanced-level
Health Education Specialist
Credential
Melissa Rehrig, MPH, CHES
NCHEC, Communication Director
mrehrig@nchec.org
HpCareer.net
Lunch & Learn
Friday February 5, 2010
© NCHEC, 2010

2. Presentation Objectives
• Review the CHES certification
• Summarize the development of the MCHES,
the advanced-level certification.
• Explain MCHES certification eligibility criteria,
fees, continuing education requirements and
critical dates.
• Explain the Experience Documentation
Opportunity , (EDO).
© NCHEC, 2010

3. CHES Certification
• Three Components:
– Meet Academic Eligibility Standards
– Pass Written Examination
– Continuing Education Requirements -75 in 5 years
• Voluntary
• National in Scope
• Based on Generic Health Education Responsibilities
and Competencies
• Verified through a Job Analysis
• Meets NCCA standards
• Over 8,500 Active CHES
© NCHEC 2010

4. CHES Logo
• For Active CHES that have satisfied NCHEC’s
certification/ recertification requirements
• Available to use on:
– business cards
– email signatures
– letterhead/ stationery
– resumes
– marketing materials
• Go to the NCHEC Web site
© NCHEC, 2010

5. Why an Advanced Credential?
• Official recommendations of the National Task
Force on Accreditation
• Findings of CUP revealed advanced levels among
health educators in their practice. This was
confirmed by the Job Analysis Project.
• 2006 Feasibility Study Survey: 2/3 of respondents
indicated that an advanced level certification will
benefit the profession
• Continuing comments from health educators that
current CHES credential is “entry-level” and,
therefore, not reflective of the scope of practice of
many health education specialists.
© NCHEC, 2010

6. Why an Advanced Credential?
To help advanced - level CHES:
identify
promote
and advance their skills.
© NCHEC, 2010

7. Advanced Certification:
History Summary
• The Competency Update Project (CUP) results:
• Entry: Baccalaureate/master’s. <5 years’ experience
• Advanced 1: Baccalaureate/master’s, >5 years’ experience
2005 • Advanced 2: Doctorate and >5 years’ experience
• 2/06: Pilot Survey at the Dallas Congress
2006
• The Advanced Credential Feasibility Study
• results indicated that an advanced level certification would benefit the
2007 profession
• April: NCHEC Position Statement about Advanced Certification
2008 • August: Call for Comments (67% favorable)
• April: NCHEC Board of Commissioners approved Policy
Statement about the Advanced Certification
2009
© NCHEC, 2010

8. Reasons to become MCHES
• Validation that you are skilled in advanced-level
responsibilities and competencies for a health
education specialist
• Provides advanced-level continuing education
opportunities, in order for health education specialist to
stay abreast of the latest research and practice in the
field
• Increases professional confidence because you have
validated your knowledge and application of the core
MCHES responsibilities
• Recognition of experience and expertise in your
chosen field
• Differentiate experienced professionals from entry-
level practitioners
© NCHEC, 2010

9. Certified Health Education Specialist
(CHES) Credential
Establishes professional identity
Exam Eligibility:
Minimum Bachelors degree
Academic transcript
Major and/or reflecting 25 semester hrs
degree in
health
OR addressing the Seven
Areas of Responsibility of
education Health Educators
© NCHEC, 2010

10. Master Certified Health Education
Specialist (MCHES) Credential
Confirms professional development / career ladder
1st MCHES EXAM: target date October 2011
ELIGIBILITY:
CHES Non-CHES
Minimum of the Or CHES <5 yrs
past 5
continuous yrs active status
active status 5 yrs experience
Master’s degree or higher
in Health Ed as a health
OR educator
•CV/Resume
Master’s degree or higher
with transcript reflecting •2 letters of
25 semester hrs recommendation
addressing the Seven
Areas of Responsibility
© NCHEC, 2010

11. MCHES Experience Documentation
Opportunity
• CHES ≥ 5 years continuous active status
• 6 month period (target opening October 2010)
• If successful, applicants will not have to take the exam
Experience Self
Appraisal form
Two Testament of
practice forms
Resume/CV
© NCHEC, 2010

12. Fees & Recertification
• MCHES application fees : range from $200-$390 based on type
of application and submission deadline
1st deadline 2nd deadline 3rd deadline Final deadline
MCHES Experience (CHES) $200 $210 $240 $290
Documentation Opportunity
Exam (CHES) $250 $260 $290 $340
Exam (Non-CHES) $300 $310 $340 $390
Recertification/Renewal
Annual renewal fee (after 1st year): $55.00
Continuing Education
• 75 CECH in 5 years
•30 CECH must be linked to advanced-level Competencies
© NCHEC, 2010

13. Timeline MCHES Certification
• Acceptance of Health Educator Job Analysis (HEJA) Task Force
Fall 2009 Report
• by SOPHE, AAHE & NCHEC
• Release of Revised Framework Publication
May 2010
Oct. 2010 • MCHES Experience Documentation Opportunity (EDO) Period
–April
2011
Oct. • MCHES Exam Study Materials available
2010
• First MCHES credential conferred from EDO
April
• New CHES Exam administered on updated Competencies
2011
Oct.. • First MCHES exam
2011
© NCHEC, 2010

14. •Marketing
•Promote CHES & MCHES
•Develop & implement communication plan
•Marketing strategies to employers
•Policies and Procedures
•Specifics of CECH opportunities
•Refinement of specific policies
Next Steps
for NCHEC
© NCHEC, 2010

15. www.nchec.org
Details and updates can
be found on the NCHEC
news page
NCHEC Communication
Director:
mrehrig@nchec.org
© NCHEC, 2010