CHES Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CHES facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which of the following behavioral changes is most likely to have an effect on health? → smoking cessation
2. The 'diffusion of innovations' framework suggests that the MOST effective way to accelerate adoption of a health innovation is to: → Work with opinion leaders and early adopters to champion the innovation
3. In community organizing, the concept of 'building critical consciousness' is most associated with: → Paulo Freire's empowerment education model
4. Asset-based community development (ABCD) focuses on: → Identifying and mobilizing community strengths and resources
5. When developing a comprehensive advocacy plan, which of the following is a critical first step? → Identifying the root causes of the problem and defining the advocacy goal.
6. In the RE-AIM evaluation framework, which dimension assesses the extent to which a program is delivered with fidelity to its original design? → Implementation
7. Which of the following is a key principle of community health education as defined by NCHEC competencies? → Engaging the community in identifying its own health priorities and solutions
8. Which of the following databases is most likely to offer the finest details on school health and kids of school age? → ERIC
9. A CHES facilitates a 'focus group' during a community health assessment. This method is best suited for: → Exploring community members' perceptions, attitudes, and experiences in depth
10. A health educator uses role modeling as a strategy. This is most closely associated with which theory? → Social Cognitive Theory
11. Which construct of the Health Belief Model refers to triggers that prompt individuals to take health action? → Cues to action
12. In order to prepare for technical breakdown, it is best to: → routinely back up files
13. Certification by CHES is intended to: → demonstrate mastery of necessary skills across all practice areas
14. In the PRECEDE-PROCEED model, 'predisposing factors' include: → Knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and values that motivate behavior
15. A health educator uses portfolio documentation, peer observation, and self-assessment to evaluate their professional growth. This approach is best described as: → Reflective professional practice
16. Which of the following variables affects health behavior the most? → socioeconomic status
17. In Diffusion of Innovations theory, 'early adopters' are characterized as: → Opinion leaders who adopt innovations early and influence others
18. The American School Health Association states that all of the following are components of school health, with the exception of: → advanced placement classes
19. According to Social Cognitive Theory, 'self-efficacy' is best defined as: → A person's confidence in their ability to perform a specific behavior
20. A health educator is helping a client identify pros and cons of quitting smoking. This technique relates to which TTM construct? → Decisional balance
21. In the Health Belief Model, 'perceived barriers' refers to which of the following? → An individual's belief about the negative aspects of taking a health action
22. The Elaboration Likelihood Model of Communication's main focus is: → persuasion
23. In the context of Area of Responsibility I for a CHES, assessing a community's capacity involves identifying: → the collective ability and resources of the community to address health issues.
24. The best course of action when figuring out how long it will take to collect data might be to: → conduct a pilot study
25. Which document serves as the foundational framework outlining the responsibilities, competencies, and sub-competencies of health education specialists? → A Competency-Based Framework for Health Education Specialists
26. Which level of the Social Ecological Model focuses on the relationship between an individual and their immediate social environment? → Interpersonal
27. Which of the following is considered an 'Input' in a logic model for a health education program? → Funding from a community grant and staff time.
28. Which of the following BEST illustrates a health educator fulfilling the sub-competency of 'identifying potential and actual ethical dilemmas'? → Recognizing a conflict of interest when a funder influences program content
29. Perceived severity and perceived susceptibility are constructs of which health behavior theory? → Health Belief Model
30. Which organization is primarily responsible for credentialing Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES)? → National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC)