Development of the credentialing system for health education specialists began in February 1978, when a conference was convened to consider the profession's interest in credentialing and develop an initial role specification for entry-level health educators. In the early 1980s, the role specification was verified and refined, the process of developing a curriculum for health education specialists was initiated, and draft and revised curricula were developed and distributed. The National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC) was established in 1988. Charter certification was initiated in 1989, and 1,558 health education specialists were certified through examination of credentials. The first certification examination for health education specialists was offered in 1990 at 16 sites across the United States. Development of procedures for a continuing education system for health education specialists began in 1990. Refinement and expansion of the certification system and continuing education systems continued in the early 1990s. The following issues were identified and addressed: communications; program content; working with employers of health educators; "defining entry level"; and unifying the profession. Appended are: a chronology of the development of national certification for health education specialists; definitions of credentialing terminology; lists of committees and task force members; and recommendations of the first Bethesda conference. (MN)