CPH - Certification in Public Health

The Certification in Public Health (CPH) from the National Board of Public Health Examiners (NPBHE) demonstrates both knowledge of key public health concepts and a commitment to the field. The need for public health science has become increasingly more prevalent, and it is essential for healthcare workers to stay up-to-date on the advancements being made.

This certification is for those who work in the public health sector. There are many personal benefits to getting certified. Not only do you continue to learn and grow in your profession, but you will network and build relationships with other qualified professionals and may also be eligible for raises and promotions, depending on your employer. This certification also brings a necessary awareness to the field of public health, increasing its recognition and visibility in the community.

The CPH exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions and takes four hours to complete. Of the 200 questions, 25 are unscored pretest questions. The fee to take the exam is $385, but organizations, public health programs, schools, and employers can sign up for a bulk discount program, which lowers the fee to either $315 or $250.

If you do not pass the exam the first time, you can apply to retake it for a fee of $150. There is no fee to reschedule the exam as long as you do it at least two business days ahead of time.

To be eligible to take the CPH exam, you must meet one of the following criteria:

• Be a student of a school or program of public health that is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). Taking and passing the exam at this level results in a provisional certification until the student graduates, at which point they will be Certified in Public Health. 

• Graduate of a CEPH-accredited school or program of public health who has completed requirements for a master's degree or doctoral degree program.

• Experience working in public health. This option is for anyone with a bachelor’s degree in any field and at least five years of working in public health or anyone with a master’s degree in any field and at least three years experience working in public health. What experience meets the public health working requirement is determined by a committee, but they’re looking for things like disease prevention, health promotion, and other core public health areas. This experience can be obtained in many places, including health departments, public health nonprofits, federal agencies, or teaching/research in public health education.

Submit an application online. After it is approved, you will receive a Notice to Schedule from Scantron. 

You have two options for taking the exam. The first is to schedule an in-person exam at any of Scantron’s testing centers. They are open Monday through Friday, with some centers being open on Saturdays, and appointments are available in the morning and afternoon. You must submit your schedule request at least two business days before the date you’re requesting, but the more time you leave before your test date, the more likely you are to get the center and time you want. You will receive a confirmation from Scantron via email. 

The other testing option is live online proctoring, which means you take the exam from your home while being monitored by a remote proctor. Live online proctors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but you must meet certain eligibility requirements for this option.

You must renew this certification every two years, though you can request extensions in three-month increments. To renew, you must report at least 50 recertification credits. These credits must be reported via the online portal. In addition, you agree to the Code of Ethics and pay a $95 recertification fee. 

The NBPHE offers many useful resources on its website, including suggestions for where to earn recertification credits, a content outline of the exam, and other study resources.

Public health job opportunities are projected to expand in the near future, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 17 percent increase in jobs for Health Education Specialists and Community Health Workers, a 9 percent increase in jobs for registered nurses, and a 33 percent increase for statisticians. People who hold a public health degree but are interested in pursuing any of these roles may want to consider returning to school or pursuing a relevant certification.

Other related certifications include:

• ABOHN Certified Occupational Health Nurse (COHN)

• ABOHN Certified Occupational Health Nurse-Specialist (COHN-S)

• ABOHN Occupational Health Nursing Case Management (OHNCM)

• NCHEC Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES)