CPH (Other exams)
Certified in Public Health (CPH)
More study resources
Cheat sheet
Keep the key ideas within reach.
ExploreKey terms
Get comfortable with the vocabulary.
ExploreStudy plan
Give each week a clear focus.
ExploreCommon mistakes
Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
ExploreCase studies
Put your knowledge to work in context.
ExploreExam-day guide
Prepare for the day ahead.
ExploreAbout this exam
The Certified in Public Health (CPH) is a professional credential administered by the National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE), an organization created to credential the public health workforce. NBPHE describes the CPH as the only credential of its kind for public health professionals, demonstrating both knowledge of key public health sciences and a commitment to continuing education focused on emerging and established public health issues. It is aimed at people working across the public health field - practitioners in health departments, researchers, analysts, faculty and students - who want to distinguish themselves and signal competence to employers and communities. According to NBPHE, professionals, leaders, alumni and faculty from more than 95 countries have sat for the CPH credential, and active certificants have reported over 500,000 education hours while staying current in the field. Certification is not one-and-done: NBPHE frames the CPH as a life-long learning credential, with recertification activity required to maintain it. NBPHE publishes a content outline, candidate handbook, study resources, and information on fees, discounts, and accommodations to support preparation. This page is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NBPHE; always confirm eligibility, scheduling, and scoring details against NBPHE's official materials before you register.
What you'll study
About CPH preparation
Who administers the CPH, and what does the credential signal?
The CPH is managed by the National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE), which was created to credential the public health workforce. NBPHE positions the CPH as a demonstration of your knowledge of key public health sciences plus your commitment to continuing education on emerging and established public health issues.
What does the exam cover?
NBPHE publishes a CPH content outline that defines the domains tested; it is the authoritative scope document and should drive your study plan. This page's domain weighting is an estimate, not an official figure, so download the current outline from NBPHE and map every objective to a study resource before you begin.
How many questions are on the exam, and how long do I have?
Those specifics are set by NBPHE and are not stated in the source material used for this page, so we do not publish a number. Check the current CPH candidate handbook on nbphe.org for item count, appointment length, and any scheduled breaks before you book a test date.
What is the passing score, and what happens if I fail?
Passing standards and retake rules are set by NBPHE and are not stated in the source material here, so we do not quote a score or a waiting period. Review the candidate handbook and the CPH certification FAQs on nbphe.org, and contact NBPHE directly about retake eligibility and any fees.
How much does it cost, and are discounts available?
Fees are not stated in the source material used here, so no figure is given. NBPHE maintains a Fees and Discounts page plus information on accommodations and required forms; consult those pages for current pricing, member or organizational discounts, and the process for requesting testing accommodations.
How should I sequence my studying?
Start from the official content outline, then audit your weakest domains first rather than rereading familiar material. Build a schedule that cycles through every domain, use practice questions to expose gaps, and reserve the final stretch for mixed-topic review and timing rehearsal so no single area crowds out the rest.
What trips candidates up most often?
The recurring failure modes are studying by memory of graduate coursework instead of the current outline, skipping low-comfort domains such as policy or environmental health, and practicing untimed. Others underestimate the continuing-education commitment: the CPH is a life-long learning credential, so plan how you will earn recertification activity after you pass.
Does the CPH need to be renewed?
Yes. NBPHE frames the CPH as a credential sustained through life-long learning and maintains a recertification process with an activity finder, webinars, and a book club. Specific recertification requirements and cycles are set by NBPHE; confirm the current requirements on its Stay Certified pages rather than relying on secondhand summaries.
Is this page affiliated with NBPHE?
No. This is independent study material and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the National Board of Public Health Examiners. Use it alongside, not instead of, NBPHE's official candidate handbook, content outline, and certification FAQs when making decisions about eligibility, scheduling, fees, or scoring.