Visit the website of the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc.

1. What are the requirements to take the credentialing exam? What is the current cost and schedule for the exam? Would you take the exam to obtain the Certified Health Education Specialist credential? Why or why not?

2. Speak with a CHES. Determine his or her perceptions on the benefits of the certification. Determine the costs, including time and money, to maintain the credential.

3. Examine the Responsibilities and Competencies for Health Educators in Appendix B. They are supposed to be generic competencies, meaning they are practiced by health educators in all settings. Do you believe that they are truly generic? If not, identify sub competencies that you feel are not used in all settings. Are there competencies that may be practiced by health educators in a given setting which are omitted.

4. There are no specific references in the Responsibilities and Competencies for Health Educators knowledge about health content (e.g., sexuality, drugs, disease prevention, and nutrition). Many professionals feel that content is "embedded" in the sub competencies. How do you feel about this issue: should specific content be included; is knowledge a competency; can you determine if and where content is "embedded" in the sub competencies?

5. Identify a current health controversy that is being addressed by the governing body of your state or city (i.e., health insurance for illegal immigrants). Consider the perspectives of both the opponents and supporters of this issue, state the reasons for their positions, and provide your own personal opinion as to how the overall health of the community would be best served. From a health education and promotion perspective, what strategies could you use to promote the benefits of your point of view?