Certified in Public Health (CPH) Yay or Nay?
In many professions, getting certified is a demonstration of the expertise of the professionals. In specific fields, obtaining a certification is not a requirement, while in others, it is a legal prerequisite to perform the job. For instance, the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification has an enviable spot among the most popular professional certifications. Almost half of the accountants in the US are CPA certified.
The story is like chalk and cheese for the field that became famous during one of the only pandemics the gen-z have ever endured: The COVID-19 Pandemic! Even though, the Certified in Public Health (CPH) credential, the only one in public health, is getting more attention. On the one hand, more institutions offer Public Health programs. Most of these programs are CEPH (Council on Education for Public Health) certified. Therefore, the competition among new graduates is epic. On the other hand, public health professionals have eclectic academic backgrounds. Hence, having the credential (and the CPH nominal letter after one's name) confirms the professional's up-to-date deep knowledge and skills in public health. Besides, some Public Health Colleges require a CPH certification as a precondition for graduation.
Who confers the CPH?
The CPH is offered by The National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE), established in September 2005. NBPHE has been a member of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE) since 2014.
Who can take the CPH exam?
As stated earlier, some institutions require students to sit for the CPH exam before graduation. The general criteria for eligibility are:
• Students enrolled in a program of public health accredited by the CEPH
• Graduates from a program of public health accredited by CEPH
• At least three years of Public Health Work Experience
You can get more information here!
Who succeeds in the CPH exam?
It is tricky to predict the performance during the CPH exam. Like all standardized tests, it depends on the candidate's knowledge of all the aspects of public health, from biostatistics to healthcare law. Then, the familiarity with the exam format and the capacity to manage the time and the stress.
To do well in the exam, I would strongly suggest starting with the study resources available on the NBPHE website. Taking the practice exam is an excellent way to test your rapidity in answering the questions and identify your strengths and weaknesses. Plus, the practice test format is the same as the real one.
More resources
The ASPPH (Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health) offers a free series of CPH Review Webinars and a CPH Study Guide which is currently free due to the Covid-19 crisis. Plus, the American Public Health Association (APHA) published in October 2018 a book called Certified in Public Health Exam Review Guide. APHA also holds an annual virtual two-day course, "Certified in Public Health Exam Review Course." This year it's scheduled for 23-24 October 2022. If you want to practice more questions, there is a book with more than 600 multiple choice questions called Certification in Public Health (CPH) Q&A Exam Review written by Oladele A. Ogunseitan, PhD, MPH, BCES, CPH.
