The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #73343

James E. Florence, DrPH, CHES, Department of Public Health, College of Public and Allied Health, East Tennessee State University, Box 70674, Johnson City, TN 37614, 423-439-6720, florence@etsu.edu

The National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. (NCHEC) is the leading body in the United States for certification and professional development of health educators. Since its inception in 1988 over 10,000 individuals have been certified as health education specialists (CHES) under its guidelines. A vast array of new resources and technologies for continuing professional development has become available since the organization began. In keeping with these changes, NCHEC has proposed new expanded and diversified opportunities to earn credit toward CHES re-certification. The new guidelines describing these opportunities are presented in this session.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to:
• Articulate two major reasons for expanding methods of obtaining professional development for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES).
• List five new ways to earn professional development units (PDU) for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES).

Keywords: Certification, Accreditation

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.