Public Health Certification
Public health is a very exciting field. Public health professionals have the unique opportunity to help others in a personal way. At the same time, they can be working to make lasting change for humanity as a whole. There are many steps needed in order to earn a job as a public health professional. In this article in particular, we will cover public health certifications.
These certification options are available for those who are already working in the field of public health. If you have not yet entered the field, then the following certifications are not yet for you.
It is best to start an educational pathway that can lead you towards the public health field of work. Later on, you can consider if a certification is a good idea for you. For those who are already working in the field of public health, it is worth looking into what public health certifications are available.
The following article will cover some of the top certifications available for public health workers. These are the CPH (Certified in Public Health), the Certified Health Education Specialist, and the Master Certified Health Education Specialist. Before we look into these specific certifications in more detail, it is valuable to ask the question, “why would I need to pursue a public health certification?”
Why pursue a public health certification?
There are a few reasons why it might be a good idea to consider working towards a certification in public health. If you would like to move up the ladder within the field, one of these certifications might be a good way to do so. They are a tangible way to prove your competency and your knowledge. When looking to earn a promotion, a public health certification could set you apart from other candidates who may be vying for the same position.
A certification in public health could also be used as a stepping stone to make a career change within the field of healthcare. There are specific certifications that can be earned to boost your credentials and allow you to specialize in a certain area. Maybe you want to move up within your current position or maybe you’re looking to make a career change. In either case, it is a good idea to look into what options you have in public health certifications.
In order to make your way to the forefront of the public health field, you will need to have a thorough understanding of different specialized areas. Not only that, but it is essential to acquire strategies to cope with new public health problems. You must also work to stay ahead of emerging threats. Pursuing one of the following credentials is often the best way for public health professionals to reach these goals in order. These credentials will provide them with what they need to obtain advancement and leadership roles.
Becoming certified will increase recognition in the field. It will also prove competency, demonstrate commitment to public health, provide evidence of mastery in public health concepts, and ensure high professional standards for better serving the public. As many public health departments are facing budget cuts that eliminate open positions, it is also becoming even more important to stay ahead of your competition. Earning one of the following public health certifications is a good way to do that.
Certified in Public Health (CPH) Certification
At this time, the most widely requested public health certification is available through the National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE). This offers the Certified in Public Health (CPH) credential to qualified candidates who pass an initial examination.
Since 2008, CPH certification has been granted to public health professionals who have mastered the foundational competencies of the field. They must also show promise for enhancing the profession with strong leadership abilities.
The CPH exam is designed to evaluate individual candidates’ in-depth understanding of contemporary public health topics and issues. If you are interested in standing out against competition with advanced credentials, the following is an overview on everything you need to know about becoming Certified in Public Health.
Requirements to Take the CPH Examination
Due to the fact that earning certification in public health provides a prestigious credential to one’s resume, there are specific academic requirements in order to take the CPH exam. To qualify, applicants must have graduated from a graduate level public health degree program. This program must be accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).
Students who are currently enrolled in the core content of a CEPH-accredited program are also eligible to sit for the exam. They will receive provisional certification until graduation. Individuals who have not taken the core content of an accredited public health program may also qualify if they have received at least five years of work experience. This experience must be in public health or another relevant graduate degree.
Structure of the CPH Certification Exam
Across the United States, the Certified in Public Health (CPH) exam is administered as a paper-based and computer-based exam. This exam assesses candidates’ knowledge of the core public health competencies. Regardless of an individuals’ previous academic concentration, the CPH exam covers topics related to biostatistics, environmental health sciences, epidemiology, health policy and management, and social and behavioral sciences.
Students can also expect to be evaluated on other areas that are relevant to public health practice in the 21st century. Some of these areas would include diversity, communication, informatics, systems thinking, biology, leadership, program planning, and professional ethics. It is recommended that candidates complete an online study guide for the CPH exam to have the highest chances of success.
Overall, the Certified in Public Health (CPH) credential has been established through the NBPHE to promote professional development and lifelong learning. This guarantees that practitioners have the up-to-date knowledge for improving health. The public health certification process consists of a two-year cycle. It requires professionals to earn 50 recertification credits biannually to maintain full credibility within the public health field.
Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)
The MCHES certification is the other public health certification offered through the National Commission for Health Education Credentials, Inc. This particular public health certification indicates an advanced level of competency in the area of health education.
According to the NCHEC website, this test is used to assess, apply and interpret advanced levels of knowledge. It particularly assesses knowledge that relates to the eight areas of responsibility for health education specialists.
This test differs from the CHES in that it focuses on advanced level skills. This is in order to demonstrate leadership roles. Choosing to pursue the MCHES certification might be a good idea for someone who is looking to move up the ladder and pursue a leadership role within the field of public health.
Requirements to take the Master Certified Health Education Specialist Exam
While the requirements for the CHES exam are solely academic, there are both academic and experience requirements for those who want to take the MCHES exam. Those who wish to earn this certification must have met all the academic requirements, or have worked at least five years in the field. They must also pass a competency-based NCHEC examination.
Lastly, they must satisfy all continuing education requirements to maintain this credential. It is worth noting that as long as the proper eligibility requirements are met, it is not necessary to earn a CHES before taking the MCHES exam.
Master Certified Health Education Specialist Exam Structure
The format for the MCHES is very similar to that of the CHES. Candidates have three hours to complete the exam. The exam consists of 165 multiple choice questions, 15 of which are practice questions taken at the beginning. The exam is only offered in a computer based format and can be taken at one of many test centers available nationwide
What jobs require a public health certification?
If you work in the field of health, you should consider these different certification options. It very well may be worth it to pursue one, or more than one of them. The CPH in particular is very widely requested by employers. Earning one of these certifications can give you an edge over other candidates when looking to get a job. Not only that, but it is likely that it can also help you to make more money in the field.
Some of the jobs that those with a CPH commonly hold are epidemiologist, infection control practitioner, or public health analyst. Other common ones are patient access manager or quality specialist. When thinking of the health education specialist certifications, there are some other professions that commonly hold these titles. Some of those health education careers are health coach, wellness coordinator, health educator, or wellness consultant.
Some schools or employers will even pay for these examinations, so that is definitely with looking into. For those who have the proper credentials, it has been suggested to take the CHES exam soon after taking the CPH exam. If you take the exams within a short period of time, the information is fresh, and you will be setting yourself up to stand out from the crowd when looking to advance in the field.
No matter where your public health pathway may be headed, taking the time to earn a certification along the way is a wise choice. Earning any one of these recognized certifications is an easy way to show others that you are well-educated, that you are competent, and that you are ready for any challenge within the public health field that may come your way.
The field of public health needs workers who are ready and able to put their knowledge into practice so that they can make lasting changes in the world around them.
The format for the MCHES is very similar to that of the CHES. Candidates have three hours to complete the exam. The exam consists of 165 multiple choice questions, 15 of which are practice questions taken at the beginning. The exam is only offered in a computer based format and can be taken at one of many test centers available nationwide.