CHC Practice Test

Candidates must fulfill both an experience/education requirement and a continuing education unit (CEU) requirement:

• Experience/Education: You must have at least one year of experience in a full-time compliance position, or 1,500 hours of direct compliance job duties, OR successfully completed a graduate certificate program from a CCB-accredited university within the last two years.
• Continuing Education: You must have earned at least 20 CCB-approved CEUs (with a minimum of 10 from live training events) within the 12 months preceding your exam application date.

The exam is based on the Seven Fundamental Elements of an Effective Compliance Program and covers a wide range of topics, including:

• Compliance Program Administration
• Standards, Policies, and Procedures
• Screening and Evaluation of Employees, Physicians, and Vendors
• Communication, Education, and Training
• Monitoring, Auditing, and Internal Reporting Systems
• Discipline for Non-Compliance
• Investigations and Remedial Measures
• Key Laws and Regulations (e.g., Anti-Kickback Statute, Stark Law, HIPAA, False Claims Act)

The exam is considered challenging, since questions test not just recall, but also the ability to apply and analyze real compliance-situations. One source indicates a first-time pass rate around 79%.

Effective preparation involves multiple elements:

• Review the CHC Candidate Handbook and exam blueprint (available from HCCA/CCB) to understand the topics and weightings.
• Use Prephow CHC practice tests and question banks that simulate exam conditions (timing, scenario-based questions).
• Focus on those seven core domains and emphasize applying compliance concepts in realistic healthcare contexts.
• Join study groups or discussion forums with other compliance professionals to discuss case-studies and scenario-based questions.
• If you have limited work experience, supplement with training programs or certificate courses aligned with CHC domains.

Options include in-person at HCCA/SCCE events (like conferences or Academies), at a local PSI testing center, or remotely via online proctoring. Applications are processed in 5-7 business days, and scores are immediate for PSI tests or mailed within 4-6 weeks for event-based exams. Accommodations for disabilities are available with advance notice.

The certification is valid for two years. To renew, earn 40 CEUs (minimum 20 live) during that period, attest to ethical compliance and no felony convictions, and pay the renewal fee. Early renewal doesn't shorten the cycle your period rolls forward. Digital badges and certificates are issued upon passing and renewal.

Yes, while the CHC exam is based on U.S. healthcare regulation and compliance frameworks (because HCCA/CCB are U.S.-based), many of the principles (policy & procedure development, auditing, monitoring, investigations, training, vendor screening) are broadly applicable in global healthcare compliance settings. If you work outside the U.S., you should check how well the U.S.-centric regulatory references align with your jurisdiction, and whether your employer values the CHC credential globally.