This document is intended to help health educators prepare for certification as a certified health education specialist (CHES). The study guide begins with a brief introduction and a self-assessment instrument that allows individuals to evaluate their skill in 27 competencies related to the following generic areas of responsibility in which CHES are expected to demonstrate competence: (1) assessing individual and community needs for health education; (2) planning effective health education programs; (3) implementing health education programs; (4) evaluating the effectiveness of health education programs; (5) coordinating provision of health education services; (6) acting as a resource person in health education; and (7) communicating health and health education needs, concerns, and resources. Chapters 1-7 each examine one of the generic areas of responsibility. Each chapter contains some or all of the following items: a discussion of the nature and purpose of the specific responsibility; examples of execution of the specific responsibility in community, health care, school, and workplace settings; definitions of key terms; and definitions of related competencies and guidelines for developing and demonstrating them. The following items are appended: the code of ethics for the health education profession; information on construction of the health education specialist examination; and practice questions. (Contains 116 references.) (MN)