CHES & MCHES Study Group and Reimbursement Support

Ohio SOPHE is supporting members pursuing CHES/MCHES health education credentials

If you plan to take one of the exams in October 2025, you’ll want to check out the two initiatives Ohio SOPHE is providing to support our members. Both of these initiatives are currently available thanks to a grant received from the Ohio Department of Health, utilizing workforce development funds from the CDC. Please be aware that this opportunity is limited to eligible members only.

Eligibility Criteria:

• You must be a current Ohio SOPHE member when you apply and when you test
• You must live and/or work in Ohio, or be enrolled in an Ohio institution of higher education.

Eligible members may participate in either or both of these initiatives:  

Exam Review and Study Group

Exam Fee Reimbursement

Registration for the Exams is open May 1 - August 31, 2025.

Early Bird pricing ends May 31, 2025.

If you need more information about the CHES or MCHES certification and exams, please see the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing website.

Exam Review and Virtual Study Group – Maximum Enrollment – 20 Participants

Weekly 2-hour exam review and study sessions will be held virtually starting in September. This study group is free for Ohio SOPHE members. Advance registration is required for planning purposes. Participants will need to study on their own outside of these sessions to fully prepare for the exam. The sessions are designed to help people prepare and make the most of their study time. Study group participants are expected to  have NCHEC's 8^th edition of the Companion Guide for Professional Excellence book;  please apply for the OSOPHE reimbursement to  help cover this expense if not being covered by another source. Participants are expected to complete assignments between sessions in order to add to the group discussion and review process. Best date/time to be determined through registration.

The October 2024 exam study group had a 100% pass rate!

Testimonial from October 2024 Study Group participant: 

“I found immense benefit in the OSOPHE CHES study group. I took the MCHES exam, and still found the group helpful. The study group helped me be more strategic in how I spent my study time. The group created a great sense of camaraderie, and I was able to meet other health educators in the state. The group was supportive, and definitely a huge help for someone that completed their academic work in health education over 10 years ago!”

Please check back for more information about registering for the Study Group.

Session Overview (subject to modification)

               Session 1: Expectations, Exam Overview, Study tips

               Session 2: Competency Review and Discussion

               Session 3: Continued Competency Review and Discussion

               Session 4: Continued Competency Review and Discussion

Sessions will be completed prior to the start of the exam window.

Exam Fee Reimbursement Program – Deadline to Apply: August 31, 2025 

Ohio SOPHE is offering up to 14  reimbursement awards to Ohio SOPHE members  to help cover the cost of either the CHES or MCHES exam AND the Study Guide.  This is a reimbursement program; reimbursement will be made upon completion of the exam, regardless of the outcome. Individuals may only receive one award for each of the exams (CHES and MCHES). Maximum reimbursement is set at the Early Bird registration cost, or actual cost paid, whichever is less. The cost of the NCHEC's Study Guide is also eligible for reimbursement.

Expectations:

• Participate in the Exam Review & Study Group
• Make a good faith effort to prepare for the exam
• Share/authorize sharing of your exam results (pass/fail) with Ohio SOPHE

For more information and to apply for the Exam Reimbursement Program, please see the

following: 

• Ohio SOPHE CHES/MCHES Exam Reimbursement Information Sheet - October 2025
• • Application Form