HESPA III 2025

Latest Study Validates and Reveals Nine Areas of Responsibility for Health Education Specialists

Based on the extensive data gathered and analyzed as part of the Health Education Specialist Practice Analysis III 2025 (HESPA III 2025), SOPHE and NCHEC have produced an updated hierarchical model with 9 Areas of Responsibility, 39 Competencies, and 243 Sub-competencies. Some notable changes in HESPA III 2025 include the addition of a 9th Area of Responsibility through the separation of Evaluation and Research. This separation of Evaluation and Research into standalone Areas of Responsibility increased the number of Sub-competencies, from 193 to 243.

“The separation of Evaluation and Research into distinct Areas of Responsibility reflects the growing complexity and specialization within our field,” said Beth H. Chaney, Ph.D., MCHES®, Chair of the HESPA III Steering Committee. “This updated framework captures the evolving role of health education specialists and provides guidance for both educational preparation and professional practice. The increase in sub-competencies from 193 to 243 demonstrates how our profession continues to expand and deepen its impact on public health education and promotion.”

Of the total Sub-competencies, 145 were validated as entry-level, which are generally expected of those with a baccalaureate degree in health education. 81 Sub-competencies were validated as advanced 1-level, and 17 were validated as advanced 2-level. Professional preparation programs generally utilize the advanced-level Sub-competencies in training graduate students.  The overall knowledge base needed by all health education specialists within 10 conceptual topics areas and 141 knowledge topics were validated. 

The 15 month, multi-phased national study was conducted from November 2023-February 2025, guided by a Steering Committee consisting of Chair Beth H. Chaney, Ph.D., MCHES®; Vice chair Antonio Gardner, Ph.D., MCHES®; prior coordinator of NCHEC’s Division Board for Certification of Health Education Specialists, Cherylee Sherry, MPH, MCHES®, Shontelle Dixon, MPH, CHES®; the chief staff officers of NCHEC, Melissa Opp, MPH, MCHES®, ICE-CCP and of SOPHE, William Datema, DrPH, MS, MCHES®; and Misozi Houston, MPH, MCHES®, CAPM®, NCHEC staff member. A diverse 14-member panel representing all major work settings of health education specialists provided extensive input to the study, with technical guidance of Credentialing Examination Consulting, LLC, an organization that provides practice analysis and other psychometric services for professional, high stakes certification programs. A broad section of certified and non-certified health education specialists volunteered to participate in the study as members of the study panel, pilot study participants, and respondents to the formal validation survey. NCHEC and SOPHE are very thankful to these participants for their time, energy and thoughtful contributions to the HESPA III project.

The HESPA III Executive Summary of the study includes 15 recommendations regarding the use of the HESPA III 2025 model for all health education specialists and to further advance the health education profession. The Executive Summary can be accessed on the NCHEC Website at www.nchec.org. Findings from the HESPA III 2025 will be published in A Competency Based Framework for Health Education Specialists 2025, which will be available in 2026. 

The next phase of the HESPA III 2025 project is the dissemination of the results. SOPHE and NCHEC will publicize results through conference presentations, webinars, manuscripts, publications, and other avenues to inform the professional preparation and practice of health education specialists working in all settings. In addition, work has begun to revise the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®) and the Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES®) examinations based on the practice analysis findings for exam administration in 2027.

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About NCHEC

Established in 1988, NCHEC is the only accredited U.S. certifying agency for the health education/promotion industry. NCHEC is a highly recognized and well-respected credentialing organization administering two professional credentialing programs including the CHES®, designed for entry-level health education specialists, and the MCHES®, targeted to advanced-level practitioners. For more information about NCHEC’s certification programs, visit www.nchec.org/overview.

About SOPHE

The Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) is a nonprofit association that supports leaders in public health, health education and promotion to advance healthy and equitable communities across the globe. SOPHE members work in health care settings, communities, organizations, schools, universities, worksites, and in local, state and federal government agencies. For more information visit www.sophe.org.