Health Education Specialists are individuals who have met baccalaureate-level (or above) required health education academic preparation qualifications. They serve in a variety of settings and can use appropriate educational strategies and methods to facilitate the development of policies, procedures, interventions, and systems conducive to the health of individuals, groups, and communities. Health Education Specialists can be found in a variety of settings, including:
Health Education Specialists work with individuals, families, and communities, as well as public and private organizations to create, implement, oversee, and analyze programs and strategies that promote health and well-being.
Certified Health Education Specialists work in many different environments in a variety of industry sectors. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, there were nearly 60,400 health education specialists working in the United States in 2022 with a projected industry growth rate of 7 percent between 2022 and 2032.
Certified Health Education Specialists can hold a wide variety of job titles related to:
From educating individuals to organizing large-scale community or state initiatives, Certified Health Education Specialists can fill a variety of roles in a multitude of settings.
Salaries of Health Education Specialists will vary widely depending on geographic location, setting, education level, and other factors. Some employers are recognizing the value of certification by providing a salary increase for certified employees or compensating for exam and/or continuing education fees. You can learn more about the salary ranges for health education specialists, which are dependent on many factors such as geographic location, educational background and degrees held, and years of experience in the field, by visiting the Bureau of Labor and Statistics.
How do I become a Certified Health Education Specialist?In order to pursue a career in health education, you should also consider working to become a Certified Health Education Specialist. To become certified, individuals must meet specific eligibility requirements and pass an examination to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the seven areas of responsibility and competency for health education specialists.
Exam eligibility is based solely on academic achievements. Applicants must meet the following requirements in order to apply to take the CHES® examination:
Applicants who meet requirements will be eligible for the review process which determines an applicant’s eligibility. Each applicant’s coursework and application will be submitted on an individual basis and will require official transcripts to be sent to the CHES® Exam Coordinator. The exam coordinator will then review an applicant’s experience and qualifications to determine if they can move to the candidacy stage, where individuals prepare to take the examination.
What Are the Eight Areas of Responsibility for Health Education Specialists?The Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®) examination consists of 165 multiple-choice questions regarding the Eight Areas of Responsibility , as well as corresponding competencies and sub-competencies for health education specialists.
The first Area of Responsibility includes the assessment of needs for health education programs. Health education specialists satisfy this Area of Responsibility by working to identify existing resources that engage individuals while examining data from studies and government reports to determine the efficiency of current programs. Health education specialists may even be involved in studies and research to gather data to understand the impact of health programs.
Assessing the environment in which health education programs are offered is another important aspect of the first Area of Responsibility. Remaining aware of trends is important in order to fully understand and evaluate the data collected from research studies and surveys.
By assessing the effectiveness of programs, health education specialists can then play a role in area two of the Eight Areas of Responsibility — planning new health education programs.
By identifying patterns and gaps in data, Health Education Specialists are able to make recommendations for new health education programs and promotions. This may include meeting with government organizations, community leaders, and other officials to determine a course of action for the implementation and funding of new programs, as well as developing marketing plans to promote new resources.
The third Area of Responsibility includes training individuals involved with the implementation of new programs and providing support and assistance to others involved in the training process.
The fourth Area of Responsibility focuses on the research and evaluation of health education programs and resources through the development of an evaluation process and research plan.
Health Education Specialists fulfill the fifth Area of Responsibility by reviewing what determinants of health are related to the health issue. Once the issue is identified, the involvement of stakeholders and community coalitions is key to the support of policy change.
Health Education Specialists who have been instrumental in creating and executing marketing strategies to promote health programs and resources, or those who have provided expert assistance, training, or consultation on health education issues and skills satisfy the sixth Area of Responsibility for Health Education Specialists. Health Education Specialists working in this role may play a part in providing resources and information for the press, government agencies, universities, and more.
Health Education Specialists fulfill the seventh Area of Responsibility by demonstrating effective leadership experience through the implementation and management of strategic campaigns and programs. This area includes a focus on financial, technological, and human resources for health education programs.
The final Area of Responsibility is focused on the Health Education Code of Ethics, upholding the integrity and ethics of the profession. Health Education Specialists value equity in society and embrace a multiplicity of approaches in their work to support the worth, dignity, potential, quality of life, and uniqueness of all people.
For a better understanding of these Eight Areas of Responsibility, please refer to our comprehensive guide .
