Promoting the Value of Voluntary Certification: Data on CPH Professionals' Continuing Education & Development

The National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE) issued the first Certified in Public Health (CPH) credentials in 2008. The Charter Class of 577 individuals who passed the inaugural exam has continued their commitment to their careers and the field by complying with requirements for CPH continuing education (CE). The maintenance of certification standards were developed not only to encourage life-long learning but also to ensure ongoing competence in the field. Members of the Charter Class and benchmarks for other disciplines informed the initial innovation of the standards. The CPH CE requirements are an important step in building value in the CPH credential.

The 2008 class was asked to submit CPH renewal applications at the end of 2011 in order to maintain their CPH for their next two year renewal period (2012-2013). This reporting cycle was designed as a formative evaluation phase. Our presentation will provide an overview of the academic and professional profile of the 2008 CPH cohort and report on the variety of continuing education activities they reported top the NBPHE. These data provide a unique look at practices of professional development among a cohort of public health leaders. They also provide valuable information for public health academic and professional organizations that respond to training gaps for the public health workforce. The renewal data will assist the NBPHE as it refines and finalizes the requirements for future cohorts Lastly, The NBPHE will discuss recent modifications to the maintenance of certification process and the intent behind them.