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Registration/Website FAQs |
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| Eligibility |
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My school was accredited after I graduated, can I still take the exam? |
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The program or school from which I graduated is no longer accredited by the Council in Education for Public Health (CEPH), but it was CEPH-accredited when I graduated. Am I eligible for the CPH examination? |
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How does this exam/credential Relate to CHES? The ACHE Diplomate? Being a Registered Sanitarian? |
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Is the CPH required? |
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What about candidates with disabilities / request a special accommodation? |
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How do I update my email or mailing address? |
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| Exam Fees |
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Is the registration fee refundable? |
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Will my employer pay the CPH registration fee? |
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Can I Use veterans' benefits for the CPH exam? |
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| Exam Details |
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What else should I expect? |
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| Exam Day |
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Can I bring a calculator? |
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Can I use scratch paper? |
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| Exam Fees |
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Can I retake the CPH Exam? |
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My score report says that I'm “Provisionally Certified.” What does that mean? |
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Will anyone else see my score? |
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Can my score be recalculated? |
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| Scheduling Permits / Scheduling Your Exam |
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What is a scheduling permit? |
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What if I didn't get my scheduling permit or what if I lost my
scheduling permit? |
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How do I reschedule my CPH Exam appointment? |
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Prometric shows seat availability after the annual testing window. Can I test later? |
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| Testing Centers |
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United States and Canada |
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International Locations and Fees |
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What do I need to bring to be admitted to the testing center on the day of the exam? |
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What are the testing centers like? |
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| Policies |
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What is the deferral policy? |
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What is the refund policy? |
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| Questions |
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How can I become an item writer? |
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| Eligibility |
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| My school was accredited after
I graduated, can I still take the exam? |
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You can take the exam if you graduated up to three years before the CEPH–accreditation date of your school or program. (Example: University of Alabama at Birmingham was accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health [CEPH] in 1978. If you graduated in 1975 or thereafter, you are eligible to take the exam.)
Click here to find your school or program´s eligibility date. |
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| The program or school from which I graduated is no longer accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), but it was CEPH-accredited when I graduated. Am I eligible for the CPH examination? |
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Yes you are, as long as your graduation occurred within the time period of CEPH accreditation, or up to three years before the award of accreditation. The NBPHE will contact CEPH to confirm an entity’s accreditation date. Note also that NBPHE routinely verifies graduation status of all examinees with the registrar of the public health school or program. It will be your responsibility to ensure that the records documenting your graduation during the appropriate time period are available for verification. |
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| How does this exam/credential relate to CHES? The ACHE Diplomate? Being a Registered Sanitarian? |
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The exam will cover general information in the five core areas of knowledge basic to public health and cross–cutting areas relevant to contemporary public health. The exam will not delve into more specialized areas covered in the CHES, ACHE and other exams. |
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| Is the CPH required for me
to work in U.S. Public Health? |
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The CPH is not a license to practice public health in the U.S. The U.S. does not currently
require any license to be hired in public health or to deliver an essential service of public health. The CPH is a
voluntary credential that demonstrates mastery of the core knowledge of public health. However, more and more employers are preferentially hiring and promoting CPH professionals or those who are eligible for CPH credentialing. |
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| Registration |
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| What about candidates with disabilities / requesting a special accommodation? |
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The NBPHE fully complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and provides reasonable testing accommodations to candidates who demonstrate that they have an ADA–qualifying disability. In order to be considered for such accommodations you must:
- Request Special Test Accommodations on your registration form.
- Complete, sign and submit originals of the Request for Testing Accommodations Form. Click here.
- Document your need for accommodations. Click here for Guidelines for Disabilities
- Submit the professional evaluator´s report. If required, An original, on the evaluator´s & letterhead, signed by the evaluator is required. Copies are not accepted. Please refer to the link above for the Guidelines for Disabilities.
Submitting requests and documentation as early as possible enhances your ability to schedule a testing appointment at your desired location, date, and time. Submission of incomplete or illegible request forms and/or insufficient supporting documentation will delay the processing of your request. Standard processing time for Scheduling Permits for candidates with approved accommodations under the ADA is 4 weeks from the time that the accommodation was received by the Scheduling Permit generation center. All supporting documentation must be provided with this form before your request can be considered. Our decision will be communicated to you in writing. We will not release information on the confirmation or denial of your request via phone. |
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| How do I update my email or mailing address? |
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To update your account, please log in to NBPHE Online Services. Click appropriate link under CURRENT ACTION ITEMS. |
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| Exam Fees |
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| Is the registration fee refundable? |
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The registration fee is not refundable but it is deferrable. The international exam fee is not refundable. To learn how to defer your registration, click here. |
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| Will my employer pay the CPH registration fee? |
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Increasingly employers are supporting their employees who become CPH by paying or reimbursing for CPH fees. For example, these agencies support their CPH employees:
- Allegheny County Health Department
- American Legacy Foundation
- American Public Health Association
- American University of Beirut
- Army Nurse Corps Incentive Special Pay
- Association of Schools of Public Health
- Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
- California State University, East Bay
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Cherokee Nation – Healthy Nation
- Clinical Connexion
- College of Charleston
- Denver Health Medical Center
- Duval County Health Department
- East Tennessee State University
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Florida Department of Health
- Health Resources and Services Administration
- Instituto Nacional de Salud Publica
- International Partnership for Microbicides
- Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health
- Medical College of Georgia, School of Allied Health Sciences
- Morehouse School of Medicine
- Morgan State University
- National Nursing Centers Consortium
- Nebraska Dept. Of Health & Human Services
- North Carolina Center for Public Health Preparedness
- North Dakota Department of Health
- P.E.L.L. Company
- Public Health Management Corporation
- Richmond Behavioral Health Authority
- Texas A&M School of Rural Public Health
- The Public Health Group, LLC
- Toledo-Lucas County Health Department
- University Hospital at UNMDJ
- University of Georgia
- University of Kentucky
- University of Louisville
- University of Maryland at Baltimore
- University of North Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health
- University of South Florida
- University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
- Westminster College, MPH Program
- Yale New Haven Health System
NBPHE encourages all candidates to discuss support of their voluntary certification in the core sciences of public health with their employers. NBPHE can accept payments via employer credit card or check. |
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| Can I use veterans' benefits for the CPH exam? |
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Yes. As of November 2009, the NBPHE is approved to offer the CPH exam through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans, their eligible dependants, and reservists may qualify for reimbursement of the CPH exam costs through their veteran's education benefits. For more information, please contact the Veterans Benefits Administration office in your area or visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Education Benefits website at: http://www.gibill.va.gov |
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| Exam Details |
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| What else should I expect on exam day? |
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Report to the test center 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment. You must sign in and your photograph will be taken. If you arrive later than your scheduled appointment, you may not be admitted. If you arrive more than 30 minutes after your scheduled appointment, you will not be admitted to the testing center.
The Test Center Administrator (TCA) will instruct you to write your name and CIN listed above on the laminated writing surface provided for making notes. The TCA will then collect the permit and escort you to the testing room. You will enter your CIN into the computer at your workstation to initiate your exam and to resume testing after breaks. Do not erase your name and CIN from the laminated writing surface until the end of your test day.
You must place all of your personal items, including cell phones, pagers, PDAs, watches, wallets, purses, outerwear, written materials, scratch paper, food, and beverages in a small locker outside of the testing room. Pagers and cell phones must be turned off.
Please visit http://www.prometric.com/TestTakers/FAQs/Test+Center.htm and http://www.prometric.com/TestTakers/FAQs/Regulations.htm for more FAQs on the Prometric test Experience.
The total amount of time at the testing center is 4.5 hours. This time is comprised of:
- 15 minutes – Tutorial* (see also http://www.nbphe.org/FAQs.cfm#SampleQs)
- Four 1 hour Exam Sections (with approximately 50 questions in each section)
- 15 minutes of break time – To be taken between exam sections
Each of the one hour exam sections is exactly that – one hour. Once you begin an exam section you have one hour to answer questions in that section and then the section will time out and you will no longer be able to answer questions in that section. Once you move to the next section, you will not be able to return to the previous section. While completing each exam section you may skip and later return to a question. The exam is well marked to show which questions you have skipped. When you get to the end of a section, if you have not answered all questions, you will receive a warning that all questions have not been answered. Unanswered questions will be easy to identify as they have identifying marks next to them. |
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| Exam Day |
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| Can I bring a calculator? |
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Calculators are NOT allowed in the exam room. The exam is designed so you can answer all questions successfully without the use of a calculator. The exam may test to see if you understand what formula is required to get the appropriate answer. |
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| Can I use scratch paper? |
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Scratch paper is NOT necessary and not permitted to be brought into the testing room. Candidates are provided a laminated note board and markers, which will be collected after they have completed testing. |
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| Exam Scoring, Retakes, and Provisional Certification |
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| Can I retake the CPH exam? |
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Yes, Candidates demonstrating appropriate testing behavior may complete the CPH exam at each annual administration until they are successfully certified. Candidates retaking the CPH exam will be charged the going rate for each exam. |
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| My score report says that I’m “Provisionally Certified.” What does that mean? |
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The NBPHE only certifies graduates or alumni of schools or programs of public health accredited by CEPH. Therefore, your CPH is pending award after your academic institution verifies with the NBPHE that you have completed all requirements for graduation. This will happen electronically between your academic institution and the NBPHE. Then you will automatically receive a certificate recognizing your accomplishment and your name will be added to the NBPHE’s list of Certified in Public Health professionals. |
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| Will anyone else see my score? |
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Scores for alumni are confidential and results are reported as aggregates. Students' scores are shared with their academic institution. A list of successful Certified in Public Health examinees will be published annually. |
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| Can my score be recalculated? |
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Yes, CPH exam scores can be rechecked for a fee of $95.00. However, those requesting rechecks should know that due to the rigor of the scoring methodology, it is highly unlikely that rechecking a score will result in a change. Requests are limited to one per candidate, per exam cycle. Payment for a request must be received by the NBPHE no later than 6 months after the release of scores for an exam administration. Score recheck results will be reported to the requestor within fifteen (15) business days of the request.
NBPHE will refund the fee only if the recheck finds an error that results in a change of score. Otherwise, the score recheck fee is not refundable.
Requests should be made in writing (electronic or hard copy) to:
National Board of Public Health Examiners
1900 M Street NW, Suite 710
Washington, DC 20036
(Fax) 412-255-3701 |
Request must include date of request, name of examinee, NBPHE ID#, testing location.
Make payment in the form of check or money order payable to: National Board of Public Health Examiners. Total is $95.00 USD |
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| Scheduling Permits / Scheduling Your Exam |
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| What is a scheduling permit? |
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A Scheduling Permit authorizes a candidate to sit for the CPH exam. The Scheduling Permit contains information and instructions for the candidate to contact Prometric, the company that provides the testing centers where the exam will be given. The Scheduling Permit contains the candidate´s scheduling number which is needed to schedule the exam date, time, and location. CANDIDATES MUST HAVE THEIR SCHEDULING PERMIT BEFORE THEY CAN CONTACT PROMETRIC TO SCHEDULE THEIR EXAM DATE, TIME, OR LOCATION.
NBPHE will NOT give out scheduling numbers or candidate identification numbers over the phone.
You will not be admitted to the testing room without the Scheduling Permit and an unexpired, government-issued form of identification that includes both your photograph and signature. If your name is misspelled on your Scheduling Permit or differs from your name as it appears on your identification, contact the NBPHE immediately. Name changes or corrections must be made prior to 7 business days of your scheduled testing date. |
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| What if I didn't get my scheduling permit? |
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Once the Scheduling Permit is available, you can access it from your Personal NBPHE Portal. Login and look under "CURRENT ACTION ITEMS". |
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| How do I reschedule my CPH Exam appointment? |
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You may reschedule your appointment within the annual CPH exam administration window. You will need the Prometric Confirmation Number from your Confirmation Notice to reschedule an appointment.
However, to avoid a Prometric rescheduling fee, you must reschedule your appointment by 12 PM local time at least 2 business days before your appointment. The rescheduling fee is Prometric‘s fee. The NBPHE has no authority to waive or reimburse it.
Note: If you do not appear on your test date, you must contact Prometric at the telephone number above to pay a Prometric rescheduling fee and wait 48 hours before rescheduling your appointment within the testing period noted above
Go to the testing centers´ website www.prometric.com. When a candidate first logs on to Prometric´s website, they are prompted to select their testing program from an alphabetized drop down list. The program name on Prometric´s website is listed in alphabetical order under "National Board of Public Health Examiners.” Please see screen shot below:
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| Prometric shows seat availability after the annual testing window. Can I test later? |
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No. While Prometric may be open and show seat availability after the CPH exam testing window, they will not be administering the CPH exam then. The CPH exam can only be completed during the annual test administration. Prometric offers other standardized exams such as the GRE and TOEFEL throughout the year. |
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| Testing Centers |
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| United States and Canada |
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There are over 300 testing centers nationwide where you can take the exam. Please
click here for your preferred location.
NOTE: This link is only to help you determine the most convenient location to
take the exam the other options are not active at this time. |
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| International Locations and Fees |
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International locations to take the exam are also available. Additional fees are
required to sit for the exam overseas. Click here for a table showing international testing center locations and the
additional fee to take the exam at each location. |
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| What do I need to bring to be admitted to the testing center on the day of
the exam? |
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You must bring:
- Your Scheduling Permit which has your CIN (Candidate Identification Number) printed on it, and
- One form of unexpired, government–issued identification that includes both your photograph and signature. Your name as it appears on your Scheduling Permit must EXACTLY match your name as it appears on the identification you present at the testing center.
Acceptable forms of identification include the following forms of unexpired identification:
- passport,
- driver's license with photograph,
- national identity card,
- other form of unexpired, government-issued identification.
Your identification must contain both your signature and photograph. If it contains your photograph but not your signature, you can use another form of unexpired identification that contains your signature, such as an employee identification card or a credit card, to supplement your photo-bearing, government-issued identification.
NOTE: If you do not bring your Scheduling Permit and acceptable identification, you will not be admitted to the test.
NOTE: You should arrive at the Prometric Testing Center 30 minutes before your scheduled testing time on your scheduled exam date. If you arrive late, you may not be admitted. If you arrive more than 30 minutes after your scheduled testing time, you will not be admitted.
ALL of your personal belongings, food, and beverages must be placed in a small, designated locker outside the testing room. Pagers and cellular telephones must be turned off before placing them in the locker.
Soft foam earplugs and clear eyeglasses are allowed. |
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| What are the testing centers like? |
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Prometric test center staff will be on hand to check in candidates and supervise the testing session. When you arrive at the test center your required identification will be checked, you will sign in on the test center log and your photograph will be taken. Also, all testing sessions are monitored by video camera. Prometric administers a variety of education, certification and licensure tests therefore, you may be at a testing center along with candidates taking other computer–based tests.
Test center staff monitor all testing sessions. You must follow instructions of test center staff throughout the examination. Failure to do so may result in a determination of irregular behavior.
Test center staff is not authorized to answer questions from examinees regarding examination content, testing software, or scoring. Test center staff is also not authorized to answer inquiries with regard to registration or retesting. |
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| Policies |
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| What is the deferral policy? |
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If you determine you are unable to take the exam the year you have registered, you may request a deferral to the following year. You may request a deferral automatically by logging in to your Personal NBPHE Portal. A deferral charge is due along with the request for deferral. The deferral charge pays the NBPHE ‘s cost of an Additional Candidate Fee.
Deferral requests and payments are due through the registration system by the close of the testing window.
Deferred registrations will be marked as “deferred” until registration opens the following exam cycle. When this next exam cycle´s registration opens, you must login in and “re-apply for deferred exam.” |
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| What is the refund policy? |
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If you do not show up for your testing appointment or do not make a testing appointment and have not made request for a deferral, you forfeit your exam fee. Registration fees are not refundable. International exam fees may not be deferred and are not refundable. |
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| Questions |
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| How can I become an item writer? |
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Item writers are needed for all the CPH content areas. Volunteers are recruited from content area experts at accredited schools of public health and MPH programs in the U.S.. Volunteers with public health practice experience are also recruited by the organizations supporting NBPHE including APHA, APTR, ASPH, ASTHO, and NACCHO. Item writers generally serve a term of no more than two consecutive years, though they may serve multiple terms over their career.
The NBME has a publically available manual to their book that guides the writing of items. See
http://www.nbme.org/publications/item-writing-manual-download.html
To volunteer, contact the NBPHE liaison at your school or program or one of the organizations listed above. You should be prepared to supply an up to date curriculum vitae. |
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| Do you have a question regarding NBPHE or the
certification of public health graduates? |
Submit your question below!
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