Consisting of 165 multiple-choice questions (150 scored and 15 pilot tested), both the CHES® and MCHES® examinations are only in a computer-based format at more than 400 PSI test centers worldwide. Live Remote Proctoring (LRP) is now available with verified technology requirements. Candidates are allotted 3 hours to complete the exam questions. Total seat time at PSI Test Centers, including tutorials and surveys, is 3.5 hours.
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Pronounced chez
The CHES® designation signifies that an individual who has met the required academic preparation qualifications, has successfully passed a competency-based examination, and who satisfies the continuing education requirement to maintain the national credential.
Pronounced m-chez
The MCHES® designation signifies that an individual has met the required academic eligibility with courses in health education and has met experience requirements in the health education field, has successfully passed a comprehensive written examination, and maintains an ongoing commitment to advanced-level continuing education and professional development.
Exam Overview
The Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®) and Master Certified Health Education (MCHES®) examinations are competency-based tools used to measure the possession, application, and interpretation of knowledge in the key Areas of Responsibility for Health Education Specialists delineated by a National Health Education Specialist Practice Analysis II 2020 study known as the HESPA II. The CHES® and MCHES® certifications create a national and international standard for health education specialists practicing at both entry and advanced levels.
Exam Format
The CHES® Exam
The CHES® exam is:
- designed for individuals in the early stages of their career
- validated by a comprehensive job analysis study that identified entry-level Competencies for health education specialists - testing you on what is relevant in the profession
- designed for health education specialists who select participants and deliver training
- designed for health education specialists who identify existing data collection instruments for program evaluation
CHES® Exam Eligibility
Eligibility to take the CHES® examination is based exclusively on academic qualifications.
The MCHES® Exam
The MCHES® exam is:
- designed for experienced specialists with at least five years of experience
- validated by a comprehensive job analysis that identified advanced-level Competencies and Sub-competencies for experienced health education specialists
- designed for health education specialists responsible for developing and managing budgets, and applying ethical principles
- designed for health education specialists responsible for identifying staff development and training needs
- designed for health education specialists who develop and monitor strategic plans
MCHES® Exam Eligibility
The MCHES® exam eligibility includes both academic and experience requirements.
CHES® and MCHES® Accreditation
The CHES® and MCHES® examinations have met national standards in credentialing and have been accredited by the National Commission of Certified Agencies accreditation since 2008.
NCHEC also is internationally accredited as a Personnel Certification Body by the International Accreditation Service (IAS) to the ISO/IEC 17024 Conformity Assessment.
Examination Statistics
The CHES® certification was first offered in 1989 and the advanced-level MCHES® certification followed in 2011. At the end of 2023, there were nearly 16,000 active CHES® and MCHES® practicing in every state within the U.S., various military bases, both stateside and abroad, and in many overseas locations.
Growth of our credentials can be demonstrated in the below statistics.
Figure 1: Number of CHES® and MCHES® Certified per year from 2013 - 2023
Figure 2: Registered-Tested-Passed 2013 - 2023
Figure 3: 2023 CHES® and MCHES® by State Map