Commissioned Officers
Association of the USPHS Inc.
The National Board of Public Health Examiners offers COA members free access to the ASPPH Certified in Public
Health (CPH) Study Guide. The guide will prepare you to sit for the CPH credential, which is the only voluntary
core credential for public health professionals. The CPH designation demonstrates that an individual has
mastered foundational competencies in public health. CPH professionals raise the bar and enhance the public
health profession through their exemplary academic and leadership skills.
The CPH exam is administered by the National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE). The inaugural CPH
exam was offered in August 2008. To date, more than 3,000 individuals have passed the CPH exam.
“"After working 'in the trenches' for the Indian Health Service as a Commissioned Officer for 25 years, I found
it inspiring and invigorating to get my MPH. Learning public health from the 'other side' was all the more
interesting and fulfilling, because of my work experience. Then, getting my CPH proved to be an encouraging
endorsement of all the hard work I put into obtaining my MPH." - CAPT Patrick O'Connor, USPHS (Ret.)
"While attending the 2011 COF conference in New Orleans I visited the CPH booth. After learning more about
the CPH I decided to take the plunge and take the certification exam. It had been over 6 years since completing
graduate school and I thought that obtaining the certification would be a good way to refresh my memory and
stay current in the field of public health." - CDR Megan Mattingly, USPHS
How Do I Access the ASPPH CPH Study Guide:
In order to access the ASPPH CPH Study Guide, you will need to follow these steps:

Visit the “Members Only” section of the COA website.

Click on the link provided to access the ordering site: STUDY GUIDE ORDERING LINK

Select the CPH Study Guide for COA Members.

Follow the instructions for checkout and when prompted, please use the discount
Code provided on the Members Only section of the COA website.

Once your order is complete, your username and password will be emailed to you.
Exam Eligibility, Content, And Exam Dates
Eligibility
In order to be eligible to sit for the National Board of Public Health Examiners Certified in Public Health
(CPH) exam, all candidates must meet one of the following eligibility criteria.
Alumni of a school or program of public health accredited by the *Council on Education for Public Health
(CEPH). Alumni are eligible so long as they have completed all degree requirements for a Masters or
Doctoral level degree, including, but not limited to, coursework, internships, and thesis, by the time the
exam in administered. Walking in a graduation ceremony or receipt of a diploma is not necessary, so long as
all degree requirements have been met and verified by the accredited institution.
Students of a school or program of public health accredited by the CEPH. Students are eligible so long as
they have completed 21 credit hours towards their graduate level (Masters or Doctoral) public health
degree by the time the exam in administered. The 21 hours must include completion of or concurrent
enrollment in applicable core courses in Biostatistics, Environmental Health Sciences, Epidemiology, Health
Services/Policy Management, and Social and Behavioral Sciences.
New CPH Eligibility Requirements:
Individuals who have taken the five core classes (epidemiology, biostatistics, behavioral
sciences/health education, environmental health, health administration/policy) at a CEPHaccredited institution are also eligible to sit for the CPH exam starting with the October 2013
exam as long as they meet either of two additional eligibility criteria:
• Minimum of five years of public health experience OR
• Possession of a relevant graduate degree
Full-time/ranked faculty at a CEPH-accredited institution meeting one or both of the criteria
above may request that they be exempted from the requirement of formally taking a class in
their core area(s) of expertise.
Exam Content
The Certified in Public Health (CPH) exam covers the five core areas of knowledge offered in
CEPH–accredited schools and programs as well as cross–cutting areas relevant to
contemporary public health. The examination was crafted to assess a person’s knowledge of
these competencies, regardless of his or her academic concentration.
Five Core Areas
Biostatistics
Environmental Health Sciences
Epidemiology
Health Policy and Management
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Cross-Cutting Area
Communication and Informatics
Diversity and Culture
Leadership
Public Health Biology
Professionalism
Programs Planning
Systems Thinking
The CPH exam’s content is based on the core Masters of Public Health (MPH) competencies
developed by the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health Education Committee,
which is available here. This complimentary resource outlines the 119 competencies that
provide the basis and scope of the CPH exam.
Exam Dates:
The CPH Exam is offered at computer-based testing centers twice a year, in February and October. Paper
and pencil exams are available at various times and locations throughout the year. Visit the Registration
Center for additional information and exam scheduling.