The importance of specific competencies and knowledge areas needed by bachelor level community health educators was examined through a survey of 67 practicing health educators in Maine who were members of public health educator associations. Respondents ranked 99 competencies in order of their perceived importance to professional practice. Results showed that process skills ranked higher in importance than cognitive health content. Behavioral concepts were rated higher in importance than liberal studies areas, and dealing with community groups was rated as most important. Lowest ranking competencies included foreign languages and environmental and administrative tasks. Work settings were a factor in determining the importance of required skills and role functions. Implications for professional preparation programs can be drawn from these findings, since they indicate the competencies required in different work environments. Tables are appended which show the highest and lowest ranking competencies, and the higher ranking competencies by work setting. (FG)