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Exam Overview
The CPHQ examination is offered by the National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ) and governed by its Healthcare Quality Certification Commission (HQCC). It measures the knowledge and skills needed to lead quality and safety work in any healthcare setting, and the credential is recognized by employers across hospitals, health systems, ambulatory care, post-acute care, payers, and government agencies.
Exam Pattern
The CPHQ is a computer-based test of 140 multiple-choice questions, each with four options (A–D) and one best answer. 125 questions are scored, and 15 are unscored pretest questions that NAHQ is evaluating for future forms. Pretest questions are mixed in with scored questions and look exactly like them, so treat every question as if it counts. You have 3 hours to complete the exam, a pace of just over a minute and a quarter per question. A basic calculator is built into the testing platform; personal calculators are not allowed.
The Seven Content Domains
The 125 scored questions are distributed across seven domains defined in the CPHQ content outline. Performance and Process Improvement and Health Data Analytics together account for more than 40% of the scored questions.
Scoredquestionsbydomain(125Total)
Scoring and Passing Requirements
Only the 125 scored questions count toward your result, and there is no penalty for incorrect answers, so answer every question. Your raw score is converted to a scaled score from 200 to 800, and the passing score is 600. Scaling places different exam forms on the same scale, so a 600 represents the same standard regardless of which form you take. Your result depends only on your own performance, not on how other candidates score. Successful candidates receive a digital credential from NAHQ, and the certification period runs for two years.
Exam at a Glance
| ExamAspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Offeredby | NationalAssociationforHealthcareQuality(NAHQ) throughtheHealthcareQualityCertification , |
| Commission(HQCC) | |
| Format | Computer-based; four-option multiple-choice questions |
| Questions | 140total:125scoredand15unscoredpretestquestions |
| Time | 3hours |
| Domains | PerformanceandProcessImprovement27·HealthDataAnalytics26·QualityLeadershipand |
| Integration19·PatientSafety18·QualityReviewandAccountability16·PopulationHealthandCare | |
| Transitions11·RegulatoryandAccreditation8(scoreditems) | |
| Scoring | Scaledscorefrom200to800;600orhigherpasses |
| Delivery | AtaPSItestcenteroronlinewithaliveremoteproctor |
| Registration | Apply and pay through NAHQ then schedule with PSI; bring a government-issued photo ID with , |
| signatureandasecondIDshowingyournameandsignature | |
| Eligibility | Noformaleligibilityrequirements;atleasttwoyearsofexperienceinhealthcarequalityis |
| recommended | |
| Examinationfee | UScandidates:$714fornonmembers $549forstandardNAHQmembers $357forpremium , , |
| members(higherfeesapplyoutsidetheUnitedStates) | |
| Retakes | Retestnosoonerthan14daysafterthepreviousattempt withnomorethanthreeattemptsin365 , |
| days;anewapplicationandfeearerequired | |
| Recertification | Every2years with30continuingeducationcreditsearnedduringthecycle , |
Why the CPHQ Matters
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