MCHES
Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES®) Exam
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 Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES®) credential is issued by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. (NCHEC) and marks an advanced-level practitioner in health education. NCHEC describes an MCHES® as someone who has met required academic qualifications, worked in the field for a minimum of five years, successfully passed a competency-based examination, and satisfies the continuing education requirement needed to maintain the national credential. The exam is a competency-based tool that assesses whether a candidate can possess, apply, and interpret knowledge relative to the Nine Areas of Responsibility of Health Education Specialists as delineated by the most current US-based job analysis study, and it reflects both entry- and advanced-level competencies and sub-competencies. The test contains 175 multiple-choice items, of which 150 are used for the total score and 25 are pilot items; candidates are allotted 3 hours, with total seat time of 3.5 hours at PSI test centers. It is offered in computer-based format at more than 400 PSI test centers worldwide and through live remote proctoring. The blueprint follows the Health Education Specialist Practice Analysis II (HESPA II), with Administration and Management weighted highest at 14%. Preparation should combine a review of the published handbook with blueprint-weighted practice.
What you'll study
About MCHES preparation
How many questions are on the MCHES® exam and how many count toward my score?
The exam contains 175 multiple-choice items. NCHEC states that 150 of the items are used for the total score and 25 are pilot items included on each exam. The pilot items do not count, but you cannot tell which ones they are, so treat every question as scored.
How much time do I get, and is there a break?
Candidates are allotted 3 hours to complete the exam questions, and total seat time at PSI test centers, including tutorials and surveys, is 3.5 hours. The exam is offered in three blocks: block 1 covers questions 1 to 88, block 2 is an optional 10-minute break, and block 3 covers questions 89 to 175.
Where can I take the exam - is it in person or at home?
NCHEC states the MCHES® examination is only in a computer-based format at more than 400 PSI test centers worldwide, and NCHEC also lists live remote proctoring as a testing option. Both delivery modes use standardized security protocols aligned with NCCA-recommended standards, which affect the format and break policy.
What topics does the exam cover and how heavily is each weighted?
The blueprint is based on the Health Education Specialist Practice Analysis II (HESPA II). Weights by Area of Responsibility are Assessment 12%, Planning 10%, Implementation 10%, Evaluation 12%, Research 10%, Advocacy 10%, Communication 12%, Administration and Management 14%, and Ethics, Leadership, and Professionalism 10%. Administration and Management carries the most items.
What are the eligibility requirements to sit for the MCHES® exam?
NCHEC describes an MCHES® as an advanced-level practitioner who has met required academic qualifications and worked in the field for a minimum of five years, then successfully passed a competency-based examination administered by NCHEC and satisfied the continuing education requirement to maintain the credential. Review the separate eligibility and application pages for documentation specifics.
How should I order my study time?
Match study hours to blueprint weight rather than starting with your favorite domain. Administration and Management (14%) deserves the largest share, followed by Assessment, Evaluation, and Communication at 12% each. Because the exam tests both entry- and advanced-level competencies, spend extra time on applying judgment to scenarios rather than reciting definitions.
How hard is the exam, and what do candidates most often get wrong?
It is a criterion-referenced, competency-based exam reflecting advanced-level competencies, so memorization alone tends to fall short. Common problems: allocating time unevenly across the two scored blocks, neglecting the highest-weighted domains, and answering scenario items from personal practice habits instead of the Nine Areas of Responsibility framework. NCHEC does not publish passing scores.
What happens if I fail - can I retake it, and what does it cost?
The NCHEC pages reviewed here do not state a retake policy, exam fee, or how long a passing score remains valid. Those details belong in the MCHES® Exam Application Handbook and the Schedule & Fees page. Confirm current terms with NCHEC directly before you register rather than relying on secondhand information.
Can I register for the exam right now?
Not at the time of this writing. NCHEC's page states registration is currently closed and reopens November 1, 2026, and NCHEC also announces that exam applications will open Monday, November 2, 2026, in the afternoon Eastern Time as it transitions to a new database system. Application and registration links will be posted on the NCHEC website then.
Is the MCHES® credential accredited?
NCHEC states that the MCHES® exam has met national standards in credentialing and has been accredited by the National Commission of Certifying Agencies since 2008. Accreditation status is worth checking periodically on the NCHEC site if it matters for your employer's reimbursement or credentialing requirements.