How do I register for the exam?

All candidates must apply through CPH Central. Learn more and apply now!

How do I schedule my exam once my eligibility has been verified?
Once your eligibility has been verified, you will receive an email from our testing partner, Meazure Learning, with instructions for how to schedule your exam. If you do not receive an email but your status is “Eligible”, please contact us.

When is the CPH exam held?
The CPH exam is offered all year round. As long as a proctor and/or the computer-based testing facility of your choice is available, you will be able to schedule your exam any time.

How long do I have to take the CPH exam?
There is no deadline by which candidates need to take the CPH exam. Once you are approved as eligible, you are always eligible. Candidates can remain in the CPH system as approved to take the exam for an indefinite time.

What about candidates with disabilities / requesting a special accommodation?

NBPHE is committed to ensuring that no individual with a disability is deprived of the opportunity to take the examination solely by reason of that disability. Meazure Learning testing facilities will provide reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities. 

1. Wheelchair access is available at all established Assessment Centers. Candidates must advise Meazure Learning at the time of registration that wheelchair access is necessary. 
2. Candidates with visual, sensory or physical disabilities that would prevent them from taking the examination under standard conditions or candidates who request special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act should complete the Request for Special Examination Accommodations form and submit to info@nbphe.org. Accommodations must be approved before scheduling the CPH exam.

How do I update my email or mailing address?

Your email address is your username in CPH Central. To change it, please submit the request here. To update your name or other contact information, log in to CPH Central and click your name in the upper right corner, then select ‘Profile’.

Can I reschedule my exam?

You may cancel or reschedule a testing session up to two (2) business days at a in-person Meazure Learning site or 24 hours for Live-Online Proctoring before your testing appointment through the online scheduling system. Absence from your testing appointment will be consider a no-show and your entire testing fee will be forfeited.

There are no rescheduling fees for appointment moved prior to 10 days before your testing appointment. A $15 nonrefundable fee will apply when you reschedule your exam appointment less than 10 days ahead of your appointment for tests at an in-person Meazure Learning site.

What are the exam fees?

Standard registration – $385. For a list of available discounts see: https://www.nbphe.org/cph-fees-discounts/

Can members of the U.S. Armed Forces use Military Tuition Assistance benefits for the CPH exam fee?

Yes, active duty members of the US Armed Services may be able to use benefits of the Military Tuition Assistance Program to pay for the CPH examination fee.  Click here for more information or call 800-342-9647.

Is the registration fee refundable?

The registration fee is not refundable for candidates applying under the student and alumni criteria.   Applicants applying under the work experience criteria will be refunded the application fee if they are not approved. Once approved, the fee is not refundable.

Can I use veterans' benefits for the CPH exam?

Yes. As of November 2009, NBPHE is approved to offer the CPH exam through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans, their eligible dependents, 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.

Exam Information

The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions. Candidates have a four-hour window; however, the average candidate takes just under three hours to complete the exam. For an overview of the exam topics, see the Content Outline.

What can I expect during the exam?

See our CPH candidate handbook for more details about the scheduling and examination process.

Are there study materials available?

NBPHE provides sample questions and two practice exams.  Several partner organizations offer study guides and review materials. See study resources.

Can I retake the CPH exam?

The day after you have taken your exam (or if you were absent on your scheduled exam date) you may reapply online via CPH Central. The retake fee is $150. Once paid, you will receive an email from Meazure Learning with scheduling instructions.

My score report says that I’m “Provisionally Certified.” What does that mean?

Candidates who take the exam under the student eligibility criteria are not fully certified until they have completed their degree. The CPH status for these student candidates is pending until after your academic institution verifies with NBPHE that you have completed all requirements for graduation. This will happen electronically between your academic institution and NBPHE. Then you will automatically receive a certificate recognizing your accomplishment and your CPH status will be active.

Will anyone else see my score?

Student and alumni scores are only shared with the academic institution which conferred or will confer candidates’ degree. All Certified in Public Health examinees in good standing are listed on the NBPHE website.

What is the passing score needed to pass the exam?

Because the CPH exam is updated every year and the cut score needed to pass the exam changes with each new exam form, a standard passing score is not published.  However, passing rates are available.  Between 2018 and 2022, over 85% of candidates pass the exam.  (Please note: The score needed to pass was NOT 85%.)

Computer-based testing centers

Meazure Learning testing centers where you can take the exam are located throughout the US and in over 100 other countries. CPH examinations can be scheduled Monday-Friday in the morning and afternoon and at some test centers on the weekends.

Click here to search for computer-based testing center locations:

https://www.assessments.meazurelearning.com/test-site-cities/

Live Online Proctoring

All candidates are able to test via live online proctoring. Live online proctoring allows candidates to take the exam from their own computer. Live online proctoring is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year long. NOTE: During your LOP session, the proctor will log in remotely onto your personal computer

You must confirm the following technical and physicals requirements before sitting for your exam.

• Private room with a clean desk surface, void of people, paper, and disruptions
• You must use a computer with admin access
• You must download the *ProctorU Extension for your browser in advance

Technical requirements

TYPE	MINIMUM      REQUIREMENTS	RECOMMENDED REQUIREMENTS
Browser Compatibility	Mozilla Firefox	Google Chrome
*ProctorU Extension	Mozilla Firefox Extension	Google Chrome Extension
Internet Connection	Wi-Fi Connection	Wired Connection
Internet Download Speed	1 Mbps	12 Mbps
Internet Upload Speed	1 Mbps	3 Mbps
Webcam	640×480 Resolution	1280×720 Resolution
Microphone	Functioning Mic (some webcams have built-in mics)	Functioning Mic (some webcams have built-in mics)
Speakers	Working speakers connected to your device	Working speakers connected to your device
RAM	4 GB less than 90% Ram Usage	16 GB less than 70% Usage
CPU	More than 2 core CPU less than 85% CPU Usage	More than 4 core CPU less than 50% CPU Usage
Connectivity Ports	1935, 843, 80, 443, 61613, UDP/TCP	1935, 843, 80, 443, 61613, UDP/TCP
Screen Resolution	1366 x 768	1920 x 1080 and above
PC Users	Windows 10	Windows 10 (Windows 10 S mode is not supported)
Mac Users	MacOS 10.13 (Oldest Still Maintained Version)	MacOS 10.15
MacOS X Catalina Users: Apple increased security features with the release of OS X Catalina. Avoid technical issues during your exam session by enabling screen recordings. Watch the Step-by-Step Tutorial or Read the Instructions.

The following items are not supported:  Tablets, Chromebooks, smart phones, Microsoft Edge browser, Linux operating systems, Microsoft Windows 10 in S mode, Microsoft Surface RT, Computers running within virtual machines, Development previews, beta builds, test versions, or inactive version of Windows.

After reviewing the requirements LOP technical requirements above, Click Here to Log Into ProctorU to Test Your Equipment. Learn what to expect during your proctored exam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gdh46rBvbU.

Physical requirements

• Valid government-issued photo ID. Current driver’s license, immigration card, passport, U.S. passport card, state ID card, or military ID card. You will NOT be admitted without proper identification. Candidates who fail to provide proper identification will be considered a no-show and will forfeit exam fees.
• Private room with a clean desk surface, void of people, paper, and disruptions. No other materials are allowed.
• See additional information regarding LOP here.
• An online tutorial is for LOP is available here.