Certified in Public Health
The nationally recognized Certified Public Health (CPH) credential signifies that a public health professional has extensive public health experience, along with a wide breadth and depth of public health knowledge. Qualifications for the credential include: public health experience (3 - 5 years) &/or an MPH or PhD in public health, and achieving a passing score on a 4-hour certification exam offered by the National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE), that covers the 10 essential public health services, which closely align with Colorado’s Core Public Health Services.
Exam Content
- Communication (12% of the exam)
- Leadership (9% of the exam)
- Law & Ethics (8% of the exam)
- Disease prevention & Injury Reduction (11% of the exam)
- Community Engagement & Partnership (10% of the exam)
- Program Planning & Evaluation (11% of the exam)
- Program & Resource Management (9% of the exam)
- Policy & Advocacy (8% of the exam)
- Health Equity & Social Justice (10% of the exam)
- Data, Analysis & Informatics (12% of the exam)
Upcoming Review Colorado Exam Courses
The Office of Public Health Practice, Planning & Local Partnerships (OPHP) offers review courses for Colorado public health workforce members to prepare to test for the credentialing exam. Anyone can apply for credentialing through the National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE). Inidividuals do not need to participate in the Exam Review Course to apply for the Certification. However, participation in the review course includes:
- 30 hours of instruction
- Opportunities to network with other participants
- Study aids and resources
- A voucher to cover costs to apply for and test for the exam ($385 value)
The Colorado Exam Review course is open to local or state board of health members, and state or local public health agency staff members. OPHP hosts an on-line fall session (August to December), an on-line spring session (January to May) and an in-person summer intensive course (June to August). Potential participants must attend one of our information sessions, which are held regularly. Upcoming information sessions include:
- Monday, Oct. 13, 1-2 PM
- Monday, Oct. 20, 1-2 PM
- Monday, Oct. 27, 1-2 PM
Register for an information session here.
View the Spring 2026 Colorado Certified Public Health Exam Review Program flyer
OPHP is interested in piloting a technical assistance program for local public health agencies planning to provide a CPH review course for their staff. Supports include:
- A train-the-trainer coaching model that can be used by a Certified staff member at their agency OR an OPHP trainer to present materials
- Access to a proven curriculum
- Slide decks and other materials for presentations
- Study materials for participants
Please reach out to OPHP@state.co.us for more information.
For public health professionals serving as a Board of Health member in their community or on the State Board of Health, a current Certification in Public Health (CPH) credential, or earning the credential during the year, meets and surpasses the state training requirements described above. As part of maintaining a CPH credential, Board of Health members can select continuing education that may or may not include annual CDPHE Board of Health Trainings, depending on the board members preferences. For Board members using the CPH option, please:
- Provide our office with the CPH number; and,
- Include emergency management as a portion of their continuing education requirement for maintaining their CPH