Maintaining My CHES/ MCHES Certification : Questions and Answers

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? How many CEU’s? What are the fees?

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

Benefits of Certification Credentials Jobs Networking Professional esteem

Certificate vs. Certification Certificate Non degree Instruction and training for specific skills Awards for participants who meet performance standards Examples: 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

Certificate vs. Certification Certificate Content validation Provider conducts training Not time limited Not requred 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

Why CHES/ MCHES? The CHES/ MCHES certification ensures the highest level of health education. Maintenance of the certification is supported by continuing education. Why CHES? How many CEU’s? What are the fees?

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

Renewing and Recertifying FEES: Annual Renewal……..…...$55.00 Retired Renewal…..………$15.00 Recertification……..….…...$55.00 Late fees………….....up to $80.00 Reinstatement…..… up to$155.00

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 individuals profession

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

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.

CHES/MCHES May earn CECH through: Professional Meetings Self Study Academic Preparation Professional Presentations Professional Service Creative endeavors Advanced Professional Practice Activities

Earning CECH Each activity is worth a specific number of CECH See Policies and Procedures Handbook for Renewal and Recertification and-procedures-handbook-

Recertification Requirements Category ICategory II Events offered by providers Pre-approved by NCHECNot pre-approved by NCHEC Minimum 45 CECHMaximum 30 CECH For CHES & MCHES: For MCHES only: Required to earn 30 CECH directly related to the advanced-level Sub-competencies from Category I and/or II

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 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.

Category I CECH opportunities are listed on the NCHEC website nchec.org/ce/procal/ Continuing Education Activities

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).

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.

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.

Category II Form Category II claim form sections to be completed Information Section Activity Area of Responsibility Brief Description Signature Category II Claim Form: cat_ii_claim_form_with_accepted_ changes_ pdf

Category II Claim Form

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.

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

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

Common Mistakes on Category II Forms On Category II claim forms Missing date CECH claimed not listed Activity not chosen Incorrect Form

Common Mistakes Cont’d Area of Responsibility not chosen No signature More than one activity submitted on Category II claim form Documentation does not show breakdown of hours despite certificate

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.

CECH Who 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.

Carry Over of CECH CHES/MCHES who have over 75 CECH at the end of the current 5-year certification cycle Carry over a maximum of 15 Category I CECH into the next 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. Category II hours are not eligible for carryover

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 Payment of the $55 annual fee must be paid Extensions are approved in one-year increments Extension status is granted for special circumstances including, but not limited to: Personal or family illness, graduate study, or foreign residency

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

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

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 Available through NCHEC or on the Web site ( Pass the CHES/MCHES examination Exams are scheduled in April and October

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

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

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 Appeals

For More Information The Policies and Procedures Handbook olicies-and- procedures-handbook-

Stay Connected National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc Alta Drive, Suite 303 Whitehall, PA us at: NCHEC.org