CHES Vocabulary Game
Exam terms with clues and explanations by OpenExamPrep.
About the CHES Vocabulary Game
A free word game for the CHES exam. Each round shows a clue for one of 43 exam terms across 8 topics. Recall the term, spell it out, then read a short explanation. Rounds pick a random term, so you can keep playing as long as you like.
How to Play
- 1Read the clue and type a term with the right number of letters (3 to 6). Abbreviations count: type the letters only.
- 2Press Check Answer or Enter. Each letter changes color to show how close you are.
- 3You have 6 tries. Stuck? Need a hint? asks the AI tutor for a nudge without giving the term away.
- 4After the round, read the explanation, ask the AI to explain it, share your result, or press Next.
- ARight letter, right spot
- AIn the term, wrong spot
- ANot in the term
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Topics in the CHES Vocabulary Game
Needs and Capacity Assessment
Program Planning
Program Implementation
Evaluation and Research
Health Advocacy
Health Communication
Leadership and Management
Ethics and Professionalism
Sources for these terms (17)
- NCHEC Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) Exam Handbook · Source checked 2026-11-02
- NCHEC Health Education Specialist Practice Analysis III 2025 (HESPA III 2025) Framework · Source checked 2026-11-02
- CNHEO and NCHEC Code of Ethics for the Health Education Profession (2020) · Source checked 2026-11-02
- NCI Theory at a Glance: A Guide For Health Promotion Practice (Second Edition) · Source checked 2026-11-02
- CDC Principles of Epidemiology in Public Health Practice, Lesson 3, Section 2: Morbidity Frequency Measures · Source checked 2026-11-02
- CDC Principles of Epidemiology in Public Health Practice, Lesson 3, Section 3: Mortality Frequency Measures · Source checked 2026-11-02
- CDC Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention: Develop a Work Plan · Source checked 2026-11-02
- CDC Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention: Program Planning and Evaluation Glossary · Source checked 2026-11-02
- CDC Healthy Schools Training Cadre Phase 1: Assess Needs · Source checked 2026-11-02
- CDC CHANGE Tool Action Step 8: Build the Community Action Plan · Source checked 2026-11-02
- WHO/CDC Generic Logic Model for Public Health Programmes (PMC4547471) · Source checked 2026-11-02
- HHS Healthy People 2030: Social Determinants of Health · Source checked 2026-11-02
- HHS Healthy People 2030: Health Literacy in Healthy People 2030 · Source checked 2026-11-02
- HHS Office of Minority Health: National CLAS Standards · Source checked 2026-11-02
- 45 CFR Part 46: Protection of Human Subjects (Common Rule) · Source checked 2026-11-02
- 45 CFR Part 164: Security and Privacy (HIPAA Privacy Rule) · Source checked 2026-11-02
- CHES Exam Handbook (HESPA III 2025 Nine Areas of Responsibility), NCHEC, 2026 · Source checked 2026-11-02
About the CHES Exam
The CHES credential measures entry-level health education knowledge and its application. The next April 22–May 1, 2027 administration uses the nine-Area HESPA III outline, 175 multiple-choice questions (150 scored and 25 pilot), and three testing hours including an optional ten-minute break, through PSI test centres or live remote proctoring. October 14–24, 2026 was the final eight-Area HESPA II cycle, with 165 items; use the outline and instructions for your own cycle.
Exam sponsor: NCHEC (National Commission for Health Education Credentialing). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.
Questions
175 questions
Time Limit
3 hours
Passing Score
600 on a 200–800 scaled-score range
Exam / Certification Fees
Next Spring 2027: $250–$435; published early fee band starts November 1, with applications announced for November 2, 2026, afternoon Eastern Time. Completed October 2026: $230–$400.
Exam sponsor websiteReported exam pass rate: April 2025: 73.19%; October 2025: 67.59%. NCHEC-published 2025 pass rates; pass/fail uses scaled scoring, not a fixed raw percentage. This describes exam candidates, not OpenExamPrep users or results from using our resources. Exam sponsor website
Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.
Official sources
- NCHEC CHES Exam Page · Source checked 2026-10-10
- CHES Exam Handbook · Source checked 2026-10-31Handbook actually linked from NCHEC’s current CHES exam page, checked October 31, 2026. Actual pages 6, 21 and 23–25 describe the upcoming 175-item format, 180-minute testing clock including the optional ten-minute break, maximum 3.5-hour appointment, separate ten-minute tutorial and current 88/87 question blocks. Arrival instructions differ: page 16 asks for at least thirty minutes early for both modes; page 23 says at least fifteen minutes early for a test centre. Allow at least thirty minutes, or earlier if your confirmation requires it; clarify unclear directions with NCHEC/PSI.
- CHES Background and Scoring · Source checked 2026-10-10
- NCHEC Test Center and Scheduling · Source checked 2026-10-10
- CHES Schedule and Fees · Source checked 2026-10-10April 22–May 1, 2027 fees and registration; October 2026 dates and fees verified against the dated October 2026 flyer.
- NCHEC Spring 2026 Transition Announcement · Source checked 2026-10-10
- CHES Eligibility · Source checked 2026-10-10The live page now uses nine areas for the upcoming HESPA III cycle; academic credit thresholds remain 25 semester/37 quarter hours.
- HESPA II Competencies and Sub-Competencies · Source checked 2026-10-10Full color key distinguishes entry-level CHES sub-competencies from advanced-only MCHES sub-competencies.
- NCHEC Renewal and Recertification Handbook · Source checked 2026-10-10Annual renewal, five-year CECH rules, outside-continental-US exception and cycle due dates; printed pages 3–4.
- October 2026 CHES Exam Flyer · Source checked 2026-10-10Dated October 14–24, 2026, eight areas, closed May 1–August 31 registration and cycle-specific fees.
- April 2027 CHES Exam Flyer · Source checked 2026-10-10Dated April 22–May 1, 2027, nine areas; registration November 1, 2026–February 28, 2027.
- MCHES Eligibility · Source checked 2026-10-10Separate advanced credential with academic and experience eligibility routes; not the CHES exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the CHES vocabulary game free?
Yes. The game is free to play with no sign-up. Signing in adds AI explanations for any term.
How does the CHES vocabulary game work?
Each round shows a clue for one of 43 CHES terms. Guess the term in six tries: green means the right letter in the right spot, yellow means the letter is in the term but in another spot, and gray means it is not in the term. After the round, read the explanation and play the next term.
Where do the CHES terms come from?
OpenExamPrep researched each term from the NCHEC (National Commission for Health Education Credentialing) content outline and primary sources, listed under Sources on this page. The game is independent study material, not an official exam resource.
What is the CHES certification?
CHES is the NCHEC credential for entry-level health education specialists. It assesses academic preparation and competency in health education practice. The October 2026 exam uses eight HESPA II areas; NCHEC has announced nine HESPA III areas and 175 questions starting Spring 2027.
What are the eligibility requirements for CHES?
CHES eligibility requires a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited institution, plus either: 1) an official transcript showing a major explicitly in a health-education discipline, OR 2) at least 25 semester hours (37 quarter hours, grade C or better) of coursework addressing NCHEC’s official health education Areas of Responsibility (minimum 12 semester hours of process courses, up to 9 in topic-focused courses, up to 6 in other courses). Official transcripts are required for verification.