by Carissa Beatty 09PH
Beyond adding extra letters to your professional title, certifications provide many benefits those who hold them. Credentials or certifications demonstrate knowledge and competency in meeting a national or international standard. While it takes time and funds to submit applications and maintain a certification or credential, holding one can increase your value – and potentially your paycheck -- in the workplace.
Earning a credential: The basics
Most credentialing authorities require an application, processing fee, documentation of experience in fulfilling specific competencies, and/or an exam. The table below describes some of the most common public health certifications.
Tip: Check the credentialing agencies’ websites for tools to effectively communicate about the value-add that a certification can provide., some employers reimburse for application fees and continuing professional education (CE) costs, or offer opportunities for their employees to earn CE.
Recertification
Most credentialing authorities require a certain number of CE hours to keep a certification over time, thus demonstrating a commitment to learning and the profession. This also allows you to keep up with the most recent advancements in the field, which can translate into time savings at work, a more effective public health practice, and healthier communities. Certificate-holders generally pay an annual renewal fee and/or complete a periodic recertification process.
Tip: Recertification timelines, CE requirements, and fees vary, so planning ahead can save stress in keeping a credential active. Also, consider ways to can earn CE credit while completing job functions. For example, Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES) may request credit hours for authoring publications, attending or presenting at professional meetings, or developing a curriculum.
|
Credential |
Authority |
Overview |
Eligibility criteria |
Certification Process |
Recertification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE) |
Foundational competencies for public health program delivery. |
Master’s or Doctoral level degree OR Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of experience
|
Application & 4-hour computer-based exam |
50 recertification credits every 2 years |
|
|
National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. |
Abilities in entry-level Competencies for health education specialists. |
A bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree from an accredited institution of higher education; AND academic qualifications |
Application & 3-hour computer-based exam |
75 contact hours every 5 years |
|
|
National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. |
Mastery of advanced-level Competencies for health education specialists. |
CHES exam requirements and 5+ years of work experience |
Application & 3-hour computer-based exam |
75 contact hours every 5 years |
|
|
Public Health Practitioner Certification Board (PHPCB) |
Competency in public health administration and practice. |
A bachelor's degree & at least 3 years of experience
|
Application & documentation of fulfilling specific competencies |
90 contact hours every three years |
|
|
Public Health Practitioner Certification Board (PHPCB) |
Competency in emergency preparedness and response, infectious disease, epidemiology and environmental health. |
A bachelor's degree & at least 3 years of experience
|
Application & documentation of fulfilling specific competencies |
90 contact hours every three years |
|
|
Registered Environmental Health Specialist/ Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS®) |
National Environmental Health Association |
Competency in environmental health issues, in directing responses to routine or emergency environmental health situations, and providing community education. |
Bachelor’s degree or higher in environmental health and certification exam |
Application & exam |
24 hours every two years |
For further reading
This list only scratches the surface! For a comparison of two common certifications, see the Differences Between CHES® and CPH. There are also options for broadly-applicable skills such as the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and a variety of certifications for specialists working in specific areas of public health, like the Certified Diabetes Educator or the Certified Correctional Health Professional (CCHP) credential.
For more guidance on the certifications that may be a fit for your professional interests, please reach out to our RSPH Office of Career Development.