CHES
Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®) Examination
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ExploreAbout this exam
The Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®) credential - pronounced "chez" - is administered by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. (NCHEC). It signifies that an individual has met the required academic preparation qualifications, has successfully passed a competency-based examination, and satisfies the continuing education requirement needed to maintain the national credential. It is built for entry-level health education professionals: people preparing to enter, or newly practicing in, health education and promotion across public health agencies, health care organizations, schools, community programs, and worksites. The exam is a competency-based tool used to measure the possession, application, and interpretation of knowledge in the Nine Areas of Responsibility for Health Education Specialists, as delineated by the most current U.S.-based practice analysis study, and it reflects the entry-level sub-competencies of those areas. That has a practical consequence for study: expect application and interpretation items set in realistic professional scenarios rather than isolated recall of one textbook. Prepare by organizing your review around the Areas of Responsibility and their entry-level sub-competencies, then rehearse under exam conditions - 175 multiple-choice questions split into two blocks by an optional break, inside a three-hour allotment. Confirm every administrative detail, including eligibility and scoring, against the CHES® Exam Handbook. This page is independent study material and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NCHEC.
What you'll study
About CHES preparation
How many questions are on the CHES® exam, and do all of them count?
The exam consists of 175 multiple-choice questions. Of those, 150 are scored and 25 are pilots - unscored items being trialed for future use. Because you cannot identify which items are pilots, treat every question as if it counts and never rush an item you find unfamiliar.
How much time do I get, and is there a break?
Candidates have a total of three hours to complete all 175 questions, which includes an optional 10-minute break midway through the examination. The break is optional, and the 10-minute break time is deducted from the total test time, so skipping it leaves more minutes for answering questions.
Can I go back and change my answers?
Within the first block, yes. Before you finish questions 1 to 88, you can go back and check or change any answer in that block. Once block 3, questions 89 to 175, has begun, you cannot return to the first block to access or change those answers.
Where and how is the exam delivered?
It is offered in the United States and internationally via computer-based format at PSI test centers, and through Live Remote Proctoring from home. Both delivery modes use standardized security protocols aligned with standards recommended by NCHEC's accreditation body, NCCA, so prepare for ID checks and a secure testing environment either way.
What content does the exam actually cover?
The exam measures possession, application, and interpretation of knowledge in the Nine Areas of Responsibility for Health Education Specialists, as delineated by the most current U.S.-based practice analysis study. It reflects the entry-level sub-competencies of those areas, so build your study outline from the Areas of Responsibility rather than from a single textbook.
What score do I need to pass?
NCHEC's public exam pages summarized here do not state a passing score, so treat any third-party number you see online with caution. The CHES® Exam Handbook and NCHEC's "Understanding Your Score Report" resource are the authoritative sources; check them before you set a target score for practice tests.
Can I register for the exam right now?
No. Registration is currently closed and is scheduled to reopen November 1, 2026. Use the closure window to confirm your eligibility and build your study plan, and check the CHES® Schedule & Fees and Exam Application Handbook pages for the application steps when registration reopens.
How is CHES® different from MCHES®?
CHES® is the entry-level credential described here. The MCHES® designation requires academic eligibility with courses in health education plus experience requirements in the field, a comprehensive written examination, and an ongoing commitment to advanced-level continuing education and professional development. Candidates typically pursue CHES® first and MCHES® later in their careers.
What is the most common timing mistake on exam day?
Losing track of the block structure. You get 88 questions before the break and 87 after, and the first block locks permanently once block 3 starts. Pace yourself to finish questions 1 to 88 with review time intact, and decide in advance whether you will spend the optional 10 minutes, since it comes out of your three hours.
In what order should I study?
Work through the Nine Areas of Responsibility one at a time, using the entry-level sub-competencies as your checklist, then interleave mixed sets so you practice switching between areas the way the real exam demands. Finish with full-length timed runs of 175 questions to rehearse the two-block pacing.