The CHES® and MCHES® examinations are based on the Health Education Specialist Practice Analysis II (HESPA II, 2020). Examination content will be on the Eight Areas of Responsibility for Health Education Specialists, which can be foundhere.
Studying for the CHES® or MCHES® requires a focused and organized approach. Gather study materials from reputable sources such as textbooks or college courses, and official NCHEC publications,
There is a study guide available for both the CHES® and MCHES® examinations.
TheHealth Education Specialist: A Companion Guide for Professional ExcellenceEight Edition, has two full-length practice exams (one CHES® and one MCHES®) with questions that can be used to identify areas of study focus.
This study guide can be purchased directly from the NCHEC bookstore.
Suggested Readings for Preparing to Take the CHES® Examination
Please note: This is not an exhaustive list of study materials. Please refer to your notes from coursework, as well as other relevant resources from the health education field.
- Bensley, R. J., & Brookins-Fisher, J. (Eds.) (2018). Community health education methods: A practical guide (4th ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.
- Cottrell, R. R., Seabert, D. Spear, C.E., & McKenzie, J. F. (2023). Principles of health education and health promotion (8th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett.
- Doyle, E., Ward, S., & Oomen-Early, J. (2019). The process of community health education and promotion (3rd ed.). Longrove, IL: Waveland Press, Inc.
- Friis, R. H., & Sellers, T. A. (2021). Epidemiology for public health practice, (6th ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.
- Gilbert, G. G., Sawyer, R. G., & McNeill, E.B. (2015) Health education: Creating strategies for school and community health (4th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett.
- Gilmore, G. D. (2012). Needs and capacity assessment strategies for health promotion and health education (4th ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.
- Glanz, K., Rimer, B. K, & Viswanath, K. (2015). Health behavior and health education – Theory, research, and practice (5th Ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett.
- Green, L. W., Gielen, A.C., Ottoson, J. M., Peterson, D. V. & Kreuter, M. W. (2022). Health Program Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation: Creating Behavioral, Environmental, and Policy Change (1st ed.). Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins Press.
- Harris, M. (2016). Evaluating public and community health programs. (2nd ed.): Hoboken, NJ: Jossey-Bass.
- Johnson, J. A., & Breckon, D. A. (2007). Managing health education and health promotion programs: Leadership skills for the 21st Century (2nd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.
- McKenzie, J. F., Neiger, B. L., & Thackeray, R. (2023). Planning, implementing, and evaluating health promotion programs (8th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett.
- Neutens, J. J., & Rubinson, L., (2014). Research techniques for the health sciences. (4th ed). San Francisco: Pearson.
- Perez, Miguel A., Luquis, R. R. (2020). Cultural competence in health education and health promotion (3rd ed.) Jossey-Bass Publishers.
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How to study for the CHES Exam
Studying for the CHES Exam
