Is board certification necessary for school health educators?

Voluntary certification through the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards currently is being promoted as a mechanism for achieving higher quality instruction in the nation's schools as well as raising the prestige of the teaching profession. This article examines controversies surrounding this movement, including the Board's decision that a teacher's eligibility to be "board certified" in school health does not depend on prior completion of a health education major. The National Board of Professional Teaching Standards believes their assessment approach will be superior to current quality controls. An analysis of existing certification, accreditation, and external review mechanisms, however, does not support this view. Policy formation strategies to ensure continued viability of Certified Health Education Specialist certification mechanisms are offered.