Prepare for the CPHQ®
Effective preparation for the CPHQ exam is critical to earning this valuable credential. There are several important steps you can take to ensure you are ready for exam day and NAHQ is committed to supporting you along your journey.
How to create your exam prep plan
Most candidates with healthcare Quality experience report spending six weeks to three months in preparation. You should consider your own education, experience and study schedule while planning your path, but here are the recommended steps to get you exam-day ready.
See what the exam covers
To get started, review the CPHQ content outline. It will provide in-depth information on specific exam topics to help you determine if a CPHQ is right for you and help you identify areas to study.
Health data analytics
Includes design and data management; measurement and analysis
Patient safety
Includes assessment and planning; implementation and evaluation
Quality review and accountability
Includes clinical practice guidelines, documentation, patient experience and applying best practices from Quality-related organizations
Regulatory and accreditation
Includes evaluating, monitoring, and improving compliance with organizational requirements and evaluating accreditation, certification and recognition options
Quality leadership and integration
Includes strategic planning, stakeholder engagement and teamwork
Performance and process improvement
Includes identification of improvement opportunities, implementation and evaluation
Population health and care transitions
Includes health management strategies, analyzing and identifying opportunities for improvement in care transitions
Prep with NAHQ
Prepare for your exam with the one and only CPHQ Prep materials created by NAHQ. All our CPHQ Prep aligns to the NAHQ Healthcare Quality Competency Framework and is offered in a wide variety of formats so you can find the one that works for your learning style.
This comprehensive book covers the full breadth of material in the exam content outline. Review at your own pace to prepare for the exam and then keep it as a valuable deskside reference even after you’ve earned the CPHQ and throughout your career.
This course offers a deep review of the exam content outline and provides a valuable education in the Quality competencies defined by the NAHQ Framework. Learn what you want at your own pace.
CPHQ Prep Virtual Class
These scheduled instructor-led sessions give you the same level of deep review of the exam content outline as the online review course, with the additional benefit of live instruction and the ability to interact with a class of your peers.
CPHQ Prep Package
Our most comprehensive prep offering, offering our full suite of products together for a 10% discount – HQ Solutions, CPHQ Prep Practice Test, and CPHQ Prep Online Review Course. You’ll benefit from a variety of formats to enhance comprehension and retention.
CPHQ Prep Practice Test
The CPHQ Prep practice test includes 140 practice questions, including many retired exam questions. It’s as close to the exam as you can get. You will receive detailed feedback for each question and can take it as often as you want.
NAHQ’s CPHQ Prep products are an optional resource for candidates seeking to prepare for the CPHQ examination. Using NAHQ’s CPHQ prep products does not guarantee candidates will pass the CPHQ examination.
Assess your readiness
CPHQ Prep Practice Test
The CPHQ Prep practice test includes 140 practice questions, including many retired exam questions. It’s as close to the exam as you can get. You will receive detailed feedback for each question and can take it as often as you want.
Here are some exam questions:
Question 1:
The primary reason to analyze customer satisfaction surveys is to:
- Provide data for the quality improvement program.
- Meet pay-for-performance requirements.
- Identify how perceptions relate to the services provided.
- Assist with evaluating employee performance.
Answer: 3
Question 2:
Timeliness and compliance of documentation were discussed at a multidisciplinary team meeting. To evaluate the effectiveness of the team’s action plan, which of the following will provide the most useful information?
- Physician attendance
- Number of complaints
- Frequency of meetings
- Medical record review
Answer: 4
Question 3:
A failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) provides which of the following types of review?
- Proactive
- Retrospective
- Concurrent
- Retroactive
Answer: 1
NAHQ’s CPHQ Prep products are an optional resource for candidates seeking to prepare for the CPHQ examination. Using NAHQ’s CPHQ prep products does not guarantee candidates will pass the CPHQ examination.
Take the exam
The CPHQ exam is offered in-person and online, with a live remote proctor. For either option, you will need to apply for the exam and then schedule your test date. More information about these steps can be found here.
To be sure you are familiar with the exam policies and requirements you can review these materials:
Required reading: The CPHQ Candidate Handbook
What makes the CPHQ certification so valuable? What material is covered in the exam? Our helpful CPHQ Candidate Handbooks are filled with helpful information including the content outline, sample questions, how to schedule the exam, eligibility, what to expect on exam day and more.
Not only is the information in the handbook invaluable as you prepare for the CPHQ, but it is also a requirement that you attest to having read the handbook when you apply for the exam.
Be sure to review the candidate handbook before you start the certification process.
The HQCC’s position on exam prep
The Healthcare Quality Certification Commission (HQCC), NAHQ’s certifying arm, does not develop, administer, sponsor or endorse any type of preparatory materials. They do recommend you review the resources available to prepare for studying for the CPHQ exam.
CPHQ Prep FAQ
What study materials are suggested?
- You are not required to use study materials in preparation for the exam. However, there are a variety of available study materials from NAHQ, which include virtual instructor-led and online review courses, practice exams and books. View CPHQ exam prep products.
What does the exam cover?
- The exam is built from the results of a job task analysis that provides objective data to validate the relevance of exam content. This ensures that we maintain the CPHQ exam’s significance while addressing the changing, dynamic environment of healthcare Quality. A job task analysis is conducted every 3-7 years and surveys the full spectrum of employment settings.
- The results of the job task analysis inform the content outline for the CPHQ exam – to ensure job tasks covered in the exam are current and relevant in today’s environment. An Executive Summary of the Job Task Analysis can be found here.
- The current content outline that the exam covers can be found here.
How long does it take to prepare for the exam?
- CPHQ preparation time depends on the individual candidate: their learning style, experience in healthcare Quality competencies, testing ability, etc. On average, they should expect to spend between 20-50 hours on preparation. Candidates with extensive experience in diverse healthcare Quality roles may be on the lower end of this range, while those newer to Quality or with less exposure to elements of the Exam Content Outline may be on the higher end or even exceed the range.
Are there other external resources to prepare for the exam?
- While NAHQ and the HQCC, its certifying arm, are not involved in the development or review of any external preparation resources, there are several primary sources used by the HQCC’s exam development committees to create exam content. The list can be found in the CPHQ Domestic and International Candidate Handbooks.
Want to learn about the CPHQ®?
Find out more about the only accredited certification in healthcare Quality.
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