CHES & MCHES Recertification: CE Requirements Guide

Passing the CHES or MCHES exam is a significant achievement, but it is not the finish line. Both credentials operate on a five-year recertification cycle, and maintaining your active status requires a consistent investment in professional development through continuing education. Understanding how the system works, what counts, and how to stay organized will save you from last-minute scrambles and potential lapses in certification.

This guide covers the recertification requirements for both CHES and MCHES credentials, explains the difference between continuing education categories, and offers practical strategies for staying on track.

The 5-Year Recertification Cycle

When you earn your CHES or MCHES credential, NCHEC assigns you a five-year certification period. At the end of that period, you must demonstrate that you have completed the required number of continuing education contact hours (CECH) to renew your certification. If you meet the requirements and pay the recertification fee, your credential is renewed for another five years.

The cycle begins on the date your certification is awarded, not on a calendar year basis. This means your personal recertification deadline is unique to you. NCHEC sends reminders as your deadline approaches, but the responsibility for tracking your progress and submitting documentation rests with you.

It is worth noting that the recertification fee is separate from any costs associated with earning your continuing education hours. Plan your budget accordingly so that neither expense catches you off guard at the end of a cycle.

Continuing Education Requirements

CHES: 75 CECH Over Five Years

Certified Health Education Specialists must earn a minimum of 75 continuing education contact hours (CECH) during each five-year certification period. That averages to 15 hours per year, which is manageable for most working professionals, especially if you are already attending conferences, participating in webinars, or taking professional development courses as part of your regular work.

MCHES: 75 CECH With Advanced-Level Requirements

Master Certified Health Education Specialists must also earn 75 CECH per cycle, but with an additional stipulation: a portion of those hours must be earned through activities classified at the advanced level. These advanced-level activities address the higher-order competencies that distinguish MCHES practice from entry-level work, such as research design, program management, leadership, and policy development. For more detail on those competencies, see our guide on MCHES advanced competencies.

The exact number of advanced-level hours required can change between cycles, so it is important to check the current requirements on the NCHEC website when you begin a new certification period.

Category I vs. Category II Activities

NCHEC divides continuing education activities into two categories, and understanding the distinction matters for planning:

Category I activities are those offered by NCHEC-designated providers. These providers have been approved by NCHEC to offer continuing education specifically for health education specialists. When you complete a Category I activity, the provider typically reports your hours directly to NCHEC, which simplifies your record-keeping. Category I activities carry the highest level of recognition in the recertification process.

Category II activities include a broader range of professional development experiences that are not offered through NCHEC-designated providers but still contribute to your growth as a health education specialist. Examples include academic coursework, presentations at professional conferences, published research, serving on advisory boards, and self-directed learning activities. Category II hours require more documentation on your part because NCHEC does not receive automatic reports from these sources.

There is a cap on Category II hours in each cycle. NCHEC limits the number of Category II hours that can be applied toward recertification, so you cannot fulfill the entire 75-hour requirement through Category II activities alone. The current cap is published in NCHEC's recertification guidelines, and checking it early in your cycle will help you plan an appropriate mix.

Pro Tip: Front-load your Category I hours early in the cycle by attending one or two NCHEC-approved webinar series or conferences. This gives you a solid base and reduces pressure to find approved activities as your deadline approaches.

Finding Approved CE Providers

Locating high-quality continuing education opportunities is easier than it might seem. Here are the most reliable sources:

NCHEC-designated providers. NCHEC maintains a list of organizations approved to offer Category I continuing education. These include universities, professional associations, health departments, and training organizations. Check the NCHEC website for the current provider directory.

Professional conferences. National and state-level conferences hosted by organizations such as SOPHE (Society for Public Health Education) and APHA (American Public Health Association) frequently offer NCHEC-approved continuing education sessions. Attending a single multi-day conference can yield 10 to 20 CECH, making conferences one of the most efficient ways to accumulate hours.

Online courses and webinars. Many NCHEC-designated providers offer on-demand and live webinar options that allow you to earn CECH without travel. This is particularly valuable for professionals in rural areas or those with limited conference budgets.

Employer-sponsored training. Some employers offer in-house professional development that qualifies for Category II credit. If your organization provides training on topics aligned with the Areas of Responsibility, document those hours carefully.

Academic coursework. Graduate or undergraduate courses in health education or related fields can count toward your CECH requirements under Category II, provided they are relevant to the competency framework.

Tracking Your CE Hours

The most common recertification challenge is not earning enough hours. It is proving that you earned them. Poor documentation is the reason many professionals find the recertification process stressful. Here are practical strategies to stay organized:

Create a dedicated tracking system. Whether you use a spreadsheet, a document, or a dedicated app, maintain a single location where you log every CE activity as you complete it. Record the date, provider, activity title, number of CECH, and category (I or II).

Save certificates of completion immediately. Every time you complete a CE activity, save the certificate or confirmation in a dedicated folder, either digital or physical. Do not rely on being able to retrieve certificates from providers months or years later.

Review your progress annually. Set a recurring calendar reminder to review your CE log at least once a year. At 15 hours per year, you should be at roughly 30 hours by the end of year two and 45 by the end of year three. If you are behind, you have time to catch up without cramming.

Verify NCHEC records. For Category I activities, log in to your NCHEC account periodically to confirm that provider-reported hours appear in your record. Discrepancies are easier to resolve when the activity is recent.

Pro Tip: Pair your CE tracking with your annual professional development goals. If you plan to strengthen your skills in evaluation or advocacy, seek CE activities in those areas. This way, your continuing education serves both your recertification requirement and your actual career growth.

What Happens If You Lapse

Life happens. Deadlines slip. If your certification lapses because you did not complete the required CECH or did not submit your recertification application on time, here is what you need to know:

Grace period. NCHEC may offer a limited grace period after your certification expiration date during which you can still submit your recertification application with the required documentation and any applicable late fees. The specifics of the grace period, including its length and associated costs, are outlined in NCHEC's recertification policies.

Reinstatement. If you miss the grace period, you may need to go through a reinstatement process, which could involve additional fees, documentation, or in some cases, retaking the certification exam. The reinstatement requirements depend on how long your certification has been lapsed.

Professional consequences. While a lapsed credential does not erase your knowledge or experience, it does mean you cannot use the CHES or MCHES designation after your name, on your resume, or in professional communications. Some employers require active certification as a condition of employment, so a lapse could have direct career implications.

Prevention is simpler than reinstatement. The recertification process is designed to be achievable for working professionals. Spreading your CE hours across the full five-year cycle, rather than trying to complete them all in the final year, is the most reliable way to maintain your credential without disruption.

Investing in Your Professional Growth

Continuing education is not just a box to check for recertification. It is the mechanism that keeps your practice current in a field where research, policy, and community needs evolve continuously. The health education landscape looks different today than it did five years ago, and it will look different again five years from now.

Approaching your CE requirements as genuine professional development, rather than as an administrative obligation, transforms them from a burden into an investment. Seek out topics that challenge you, attend sessions led by practitioners doing innovative work, and use what you learn to improve the programs and communities you serve.

Your CHES or MCHES credential represents a commitment to professional standards. Recertification is how you renew that commitment, and the profession, your employers, and the communities you serve all benefit when you do. For a structured approach to building or refreshing your exam knowledge, explore our study plan guide.

This content is not affiliated with or endorsed by NCHEC. CHES and MCHES are registered trademarks of NCHEC.