NBPHE Publishes New Article in Frontiers in Public Health

Leadership Is Central to Public Health.

At the National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE), we are committed to keeping certification current, credible, and closely aligned with the evolving work of public health professionals.

Every five years, we conduct a Job Task Analysis (JTA) to assess the knowledge, skills, and tasks that define contemporary public health practice. This process ensures that the Certified in Public Health (CPH) exam reflects what professionals are actually doing in the field.

We were recently published in Frontiers in Public Health with an article on our recent JTA titled Leadership tasks in public health: findings from the National Board of Public Health Examiners’ job task analysis.

These findings provide valuable insight into how the field is changing and one key takeaway stood out: leadership ranks among the most essential and most frequently performed domains in public health today.

What the Data Tells Us

More than 2,000 public health professionals from across the United States and internationally were surveyed. Participants rated how often they perform specific tasks and how critical those tasks are to their roles. This rigorous, data-driven process provides a snapshot of public health in action.

Among the ten domains that were analyzed, the “Leadership” domain stood out. It was rated second highest for both frequency and criticality, a clear indication that leadership is not only a regular part of public health work but a vital one.

Why It Matters

Strong leadership is what helps turn data into action, policy into practice, and challenges into coordinated responses. Whether managing teams, making ethical decisions, navigating systems, or guiding communities through crises, leadership is everywhere in public health.

This insight has real implications. Leadership training and support should be embedded across all levels of education and professional development and not treated as something reserved for executives or administrators.

What This Means

For NBPHE, the Job Task Analysis is more than a research activity. It’s a cornerstone of our commitment to maintaining a relevant, rigorous, and respected certification. The results inform how we shape the CPH exam, ensuring it continues to reflect real-world competencies and evolving demands.

For academic institutions, the findings offer a roadmap to align curricula with workforce needs. For public health agencies and employers, they highlight the importance of cultivating leadership throughout the organization. And for current or prospective CPH candidates, the results reinforce that certification reflects the core skills required in the field.

Moving the Field Forward

We’re proud to share this work and data, and we’re grateful to the thousands of public health professionals who contributed. Your insights help define and elevate the profession.

By publishing these findings, we aim to support evidence-based decision-making across public health education, workforce development, and certification. Regular JTAs keep the CPH credential grounded in practice and responsive to change.

Leadership at All Levels

Leadership isn’t just a concept. It’s a practice — and a critical one. As the public health field continues to face complex challenges, developing and supporting leadership at every level will be essential to protecting and improving the health of communities everywhere.

We’re honored to contribute to that effort by providing tools, data, and credentials that reflect the real work of public health.

Read the full article in Frontiers in Public Health:
The Role of Job Task Analysis in Public Health Workforce Development and Certification