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Best health specialist certifications

The best certifications for a health specialist are Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT), and Certified in Public Health (CPH).

Health specialist certifications demonstrate your competency as a health specialist to employers. However, not all health specialist certifications provide the same value.

Below is a list of the best health specialist certifications. Obtaining a health specialist certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.

9 best health specialist certifications

1. Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)

Train to be a certified nurse assistant working with other health care professionals to provide quality care for elderly or sick individuals in nursing homes and hospitals and at home.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? 
Certifying website
Certified Nurse Assistant

2. Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)

A Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) draws blood from patients or donors in hospitals, blood banks, or similar facilities for analysis or other medical purposes.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)

3. Certified in Public Health (CPH)

The National Board of Public Health Examiners (NBPHE) offers the Certified in Public Health (CPH) credential as the only voluntary core credential for public health professionals. The CPH designation demonstrates that an individual graduate from a CEPH-accredited school or program of public health 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.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
Certifying website
Certified in Public Health
Certifying organization
National Board of Public...

4. Certified Professional - Human Resource (IPMA-CP)

IPMA-HR strives to encourage excellence in public sector human resources, promote continuous learning and develop the next generation of leaders. To that end, IPMA-HR offers two internationally recognized certification programs to the public HR community: the IPMA-CP and the IPMA-CS.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)

5. Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)

Extensive research involving health education specialists across the nation has verified the existence of entry- and advanced-levels of health education practice with the differentiation at five years of experience. In 2009, it was released that the NCHEC Board of Commissioners voted to implement an advanced-level of certification. This proves to be an exciting time for the profession of health education and for health education specialists. The MCHES examination was offered for the first time in October 2011. The MCHES exam is offered in conjunction with the CHES examination in April and October at over 120 testing sites across the country.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)

6. Certified Safety Professional (CSP)

CSP candidates must have professional safety experience. The exact number of years depends on their degree(s) and if they hold OHST/CLCS or CHST certification. BCSP has a broad definition of safety. Professional-level work experience in safety, health, environmental protection, fire protection, ergonomics, radiation protection and industrial hygiene is considered professional safety experience.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
Certifying organization
Board of Certified Safety...

7. Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS)

A Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) primarily focuses on converting a medical procedure, diagnosis, or symptom into specific codes to submit a claim for reimbursement.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)

8. Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (NHA)

A Certified Clinical Medical Assistant is an unlicensed multi-skilled healthcare practitioner who is competent in both a wide variety of clinical and laboratory procedures, as well as many administrative roles. A CCMA may perform some or all of the following duties. However, they are not limited to just these responsibilities:Interviews patients and measures vitals signsPrepares treatment roomsGives injections or treatments and performs venipuncture and laboratory testsCleans and sterilizes equipment.

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
  • More than two years of work experience required? Yes
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)

9. Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)

PTCB's pharmacy technician certification program enables technicians to work more effectively with pharmacists to offer safe and effective patient care and service. Certification is achieved by meeting specific eligibility requirements and earning a passing score on the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). The PTCB certification program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

Certification details
  • More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
  • More than two years of work experience required? No
  • Oral or written exam required? Yes
  • Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
Course that help you to prepare for certification
Become a Pharmacy Technician
udemy
4.7
(2,374)

What is the best certification for a health specialist?

The best health specialist certification is Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA). The Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) is awarded by the American Red Cross. This certification is great to have as it shows an improvement in your competency to perform your role. You can earn this certification at the beginning of your career, as it often doesn't require a minimum education level and work experience.

Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this health specialist certification:

  • To become a certified Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), you need to pass the exam.
  • Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience.
  • Renew certification every year.

What are some of the most in-demand certifications for health specialists?

The most in-demand health specialist certification is Certified Nurse Assistant based on all active job postings. Having this health specialist certification will give you access to more health specialist jobs with higher salaries.

Best certifications

The most common combination of health specialist certifications include: Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT), and Certified in Public Health (CPH).

Online courses for health specialists to earn certifications

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9. Operations and Patient Safety for Healthcare IT Staff

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10. Addiction Treatment: Clinical Skills for Healthcare Providers

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14. Prehospital care of acute stroke and patient selection for endovascular treatment using the RACE scale

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18. Data and Health Indicators in Public Health Practice

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