Part 1 of 2

1. Maintaining My
CHES/ MCHES
Certification:
Questions and Answers

2. What we’ll discuss:
• The recertification process
and requirements for CHES
and MCHES
• Where to find CEU’s
• Other resources for
professional development
Why
CHES?
What
are the
fees?
How
many
CEUS’s?

3. Congrats on your CHES/ MCHES!
Category I credits will be offered for this webinar.

4. Benefits of Certification
• Credentials
• Jobs
• Networking
• Professional esteem

5. Certificate vs. Certification
Certificate
*Non degree
*Instruction and training for specific
skills
*Awards for participants who meet
performance standards
Certification
*Voluntary process
*Maintenance of certification
*Participant meets particular
knowledge competencies
*Time limited
ICE resource: Defining Features of Quality
Certification and Assessment –based
Certificate Programs

6. Certificate vs. Certification
Certificate
*Content validation
*Provider conducts training
*Not time limited
*Not required to engage in specific
activities
Certification
*Assessment of individual
*Provider is independent from training
program
*Required to engage in specific
activities
ICE resource: Defining Features of Quality
Certification and Assessment –based
Certificate Programs

7. Why CHES/ MCHES?
The CHES/ MCHES certification ensures the highest
level of health education.
Maintenance of the certification is supported by
continuing education.

8. Renewal and Recertifying
Renewal
every year
Recertification
every 5 years.
75 hours of
continuing
education
Annual Fee

9. Fees
Type Amount
Annual Renewal $55.00
Retired
Renewal
$15.00
Recertification $55.00
Required to earn 30 CECH directly related
to the advanced-level sub-competencies
from Category I and/or II
Type Amount
Late fees Up to $80.00
Reinstatement Up to $155.00

10. Continuing Education Contact Hours (CECH)
 CECH are earned through
participation in areas directly
related to the Seven Areas of
Responsibility
 Must develop or enhance skills
 Must be related to the
individual’s profession

11. Seven Areas of Responsibility
Seven Areas of Responsibility for Health Education Specialist -
the broad entry-level skills necessary for the practice of health
education in all settings.
I: Assess needs, assets and capacity for health education
II: Plan health education
III: Implement health education
IV: Conduct evaluation and research related to health education
V: Administer and manage health education
VI: Serve as a health education resource person
VII: Communicate and advocate for health and health education

12. Recertification Requirements
• Each CHES/MCHES
must earn a total of 75
CECH every five years.
• CHES & MCHES are
encouraged to
accumulate a minimum
of 15 CECH per year.

13. CHES/MCHES May earn CECH through:

14. Earning CECH
• Each activity is worth a
specific number of CECH
• See Policies and
Procedures Handbook
for Renewal and
Recertification
http://www.nchec.org/policies-and-
procedures-handbook-

15. Recertification Requirements
Category I Category II
Events offered by providers Events offered by providers
Pre-approved by NCHEC Not pre-approved by NCHEC
Minimum 45 CECH Maximum 30 CECH
Required to earn 30 CECH directly related to the advanced-
level Sub-competencies from Category I and/or II
For CHES & MCHES:
For MCHES Only:

16. CATEGORY I
Category I entry are opportunities that relate to one or
more of the Areas of Responsibility and have been
preapproved by NCHEC
Category I advanced are CECH opportunities that relate to
one or more of the advanced-level Sub-competencies and
have been preapproved by NCHEC
Offered by NCHEC designated providers

17. CATEGORY I
The designated provider of Category I credits will
report directly to NCHEC on a quarterly basis.
CHES/MCHES should retain the certificate in their
records.
CHES/MCHES should not submit any Category I
documentation to NCHEC unless requested.

18. Continuing Education Activities
 Category I CECH opportunities are listed on the
NCHEC website
 http://www.nchec.org/continuing-education

22. CATEGORY II
A maximum of 30 category II credits can be earned.
Category II entry refers to CECH opportunities that relate
to one or more of the Areas of Responsibility, but have not
been preapproved by NCHEC (offered by non-designated
providers).

23. CATEGORY II
Category II advanced refers to one or more Areas of
Responsibility and advanced-level Sub-competencies not
preapproved by NCHEC or designated providers.
Documentation is needed as evidence to support a CECH
claim.

24. To submit Category II
 Record program
information and how each
activity relates to the
Areas of Responsibility
and/or advanced-level
Sub-competencies.
 Submit Category II CECH
Claim Form within 90 days
following program
completion.

25. Category II Claim Form
• Category II Claim Form
sections to be
completed
 Information Section
 Activity
 Area of
Responsibility
 Brief Description
 Signature
• Category II Claim Form:
http://www.nchec.org/assets/2251/cat
_ii_claim_form_with_accepted_ch
anges_5-20-13.pdf
Please complete
entire form
Choose an
activity

26. Category II Claim Form
Choose the Area of
Responsibility and
advanced-level Sub-
competency that the
activity relates to
Give a brief
description
Make sure you
sign the form

27. Category II for CHES/MCHES
• For CHES, CECH may not be claimed for
activities, events or experiences that are
part of daily job requirements.
• For MCHES, CECH may be claimed for
work-related activities, events or
experiences that relate to advanced-level
Sub-competencies.

28. Appropriate Documentation for Activities
•Certification of Attendance including hours
•Meeting schedule/agenda with attended
session highlighted
Attendance at
a Professional
Meeting
•Program Announcement indicating duration
•Thank you letter indicating duration
Presentation at
a Professional
Meeting
•Copy of Transcript listing the course title and
number of credits earned
Academic
Preparation

29. Appropriate Documentation for Activities Cont’d
• Copy of title page, table of
contents and letter of acceptance
by the university
Author of a
Thesis or
Dissertation
• Copy of title page, table of
contents, and description of
content learning objectives
Sole Author of a
Training Module
or Course
• Copy of official copyright notice
• Copy of product itself
Sole Developer of
a Health
Education Project

30. Common Mistakes on Category II Forms

31. Common Mistakes, Continued

32. CECH That Do Not Qualify
You may not claim time for lunches or breaks, attending
poster sessions, networking sessions, business meetings, or
non-education periods.
All authorship must involve substantive contributions and
not mere proofreading.
CECH may not be claimed for reprints, duplications, or
revisions of the same article in different publications.

33. CECH That Do Not Qualify Cont’d
CHES/MCHES applying for CECH as a presenter cannot claim
CECH for attending the presentation session.
For CHES, a mentor does not include student interns and
student teachers.
For MCHES serving as an internship/practicum preceptor
counts.

34. Carry Over of CECH
•Carry over a maximum of 15
Category I CECH into the next
5-year certification cycle
•Category II hours are not
eligible for carryover
CHES/MCHES who
have over 75 CECH
at the end of the
current 5-year
certification cycle
•Category II hours are not
eligible for carryover
For MCHES, any
advanced CECH will
carry over as entry-
level credits only.

35. Extension
Extension
Recertifying
CHES/MCHES who
have not met the
required 75 CECH
may request an
extension for a
maximum of two
years
A letter of explanation must
be submitted yearly
Extensions are approved in
one-year increments
Payment of the $55 annual
fee must be paid
Extension status is
granted for special
circumstances
including, but not
limited to:
Personal or family illness,
graduate study, or foreign
residency

36. Extension Status
• While on extension status, a CHES/MCHES:
May continue to earn CECH
Cannot hold any elective NCHEC office
Cannot serve on planning committees as a
CHES/MCHES representative

37. MCHES Recertification
MCHES, who were
previously active CHES,
and have not met the
required 30 advanced-
level credits…
…can become a CHES
if all requirements for
the CHES certification
are met

38. Recertification by Exam
To recertify by exam a CHES/MCHES must:
Meet the eligibility to qualify for the exam
Apply and pay fees using the exam application form at
www.nchec.org
Pass the CHES/MCHES examination
Exams are scheduled in April and October

39. Lapsed CHES and MCHES
CHES/MCHES who are
lapsed for renewal or
continuing education
credits are not allowed
to use the CHES/MCHES
designation

40. Retired CHES/MCHES
Permanently retired
CHES/MCHES from health
education and with
active/good standing may
apply for retired status
Retired status is
considered
permanent status and
no CECH
requirements exist
If retired status is
approved and
awarded, the (Ret.)
credential must be
used after a person’s
name

41. Appeals Policy
• An appeal is available to any
applicant or CHES/MCHES
 To challenge decisions affecting
CHES/MCHES examination
eligibility or CHES/MCHES
status
• Individuals who do not file a
request within the required
time limit waive the right to
appeal

42. For More Information:
The Policies and
Procedures Handbook
http://www.nchec.org/policies-
and-procedures-handbook-

43. Stay Connected!
Email us at: nchec@nchec.org
National Commission for Health
Education Credentialing, Inc.
1541 Alta Drive, Suite 303
Whitehall, PA 18052
Phone: 888.624.3248