Certification Frequently Asked Questions

A public health communicator is anyone whose primary responsibility is to shape, spread or understand the impact of a public health message. CCPH candidates need not be NPHIC members.

The fee for portfolio review is $250, payable at application.

Fees are non-refundable unless your application is not accepted for portfolio review. The fee will not be returned if you fail to submit a portfolio on time or do not pass the portfolio review.

Although several people who have earned the CCPH designation also hold the CHES and MCHES credential, the competencies and skillsets are not the same. The CCPH credential is for health communicators, whose primary job is to develop, disseminate or evaluate the impact of a public health message. Some health communicators are also health educators. Unlike CHES, to earn this credential you must have a minimum of two years in communications practice - you are not eligible to apply based only on an academic degree.

Closely review the job analysis. This is crucial. In order for candidates to be successful they must pass each Core Competency and all Related Skillsets. Note the subsets within each skillset. You will be required to demonstrate how you accomplished, or have a working knowledge of, all the separate components.

In that case you should explain your working knowledge of the category and discuss benefits and limitations. In the case of social media, for instance, you might explain how social media could be integrated into your department's communications and marketing program and what methods and technologies you would use and why.

Individuals who have already earned their CCPH credential will review candidate portfolios.

Your opening documents must include a letter to the reviewers, statement of attestation, your narrative - which should correspond to the job analysis, clearly indicating areas of expertise and working knowledge - and your resume/CV. Descriptive statements within the narrative that are supported by work products should direct the reviewer to the appropriate wok product. Next will come your three letters of endorsement, followed by your work products.

No. A letter to the reviewers will be satisfactory. Please consider this a chance to provide a summary of your accomplishments. NOTE: you should also provide a resume/CV. These will not be considered part of your 15-page maximum narrative page count, nor will your Core Competencies write up.

You may submit up to six work products in each of your two expertise areas and a maximum of three in each working knowledge area. These will NOT count against your page limit. Choose your work products carefully to best represent your skills. Your narrative should direct reviewers to the work product(s) that support the accomplishments you cite.

Carefully review the job analysis to determine areas in which you have demonstrated the most leadership, or have devoted most of your efforts to. If you have a mentor, or someone else whose abilities you respect, ask him/her to help you identify your strengths. Also consider: - What is your degree of expertise - see below - with regard to the competencies and skillsets? (1-2 might qualify you for "expertise." 3-4 might qualify as "working knowledge." If you believe number 5 describes your experience in ANY of the job analysis areas, you are unlikely to be certified.) 1- I am considered an expert in performing this task. I have supervised performance of this task or am normally the person who is consulted by other workers to assist them in doing this task because of my expertise. 2- I have performed this task as a regular part of a job. I have performed it independently and normally without review by a supervisor or senior employee. 3- I have performed this task on the job. My work on this task was monitored closely by a supervisor or senior employee to ensure compliance with proper procedures. 4- I have had education or training in performing the task, but have not yet performed it on the job. 5- I have not had education, training or experience in performing this task.

Someone who knows your work, for example, a current or former supervisor, or mentor would be a good choice. You may also consider senior-level colleagues who have worked with you on a team project. Be sure to provide contact information for your endorsers.

Expect it to take a minimum of 40 to 60 hours. HINT FROM PREVIOUS CANDIDATES: don't try to "pull an all-nighter" and do it all at once. Experience has shown that your later narrative sections will likely be given short shrift.