About the Exam

The CPHQ exam covers the following:

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 (PPI)

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

Before You Apply: Understand the Exam Policies

Read the Candidate Handbook to review exam policies and procedures.

Learn about your responsibilities as a CPHQ candidate.

How to Apply

 

To begin the application process, you’ll need to create a free NAHQ account and apply for the exam by following the prompts in the My Certification section.

Where will you take the exam? Detailed information below.

Paying for the CPHQ Exam

There are two options for paying your exam fees.  

Credit Card

You will receive confirmation of your application and can schedule your CPHQ exam directly within your NAHQ account under My Certification.

Check

Complete and mail the registration form and a check for the exam fee plus the $25 check processing fee to:

NAHQ
8600 W Bryn Mawr Ave Ste 710 N
Chicago, IL 60631

Questions about the application process?

We're here to help. Contact us with your questions. After you apply for the CPHQ exam, you can schedule your exam directly through your NAHQ account under My Certification.

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How to Schedule

Once you’ve applied for the CPHQ exam, you can schedule your exam within your NAHQ account under My Certification > Schedule Exam

If you need assistance with scheduling, contact PSI's customer support.

For US: 1-844-267-1017
For international: 1-617-564-9052

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Your Score

If you test in the United States, you will receive your unofficial score report immediately following your exam. 

If you test outside the United States, you will receive your unofficial score report via email and 8-12 weeks following the close of the window you'll get an email with how to access your score. 

NAHQ will send you a digital CPHQ badge after you pass the exam.

CPHQ Application FAQs

Who do I contact if I need to reschedule?
  • If you need assistance in scheduling/rescheduling/cancelling your exam, please reach out to NAHQ at info@nahq.org 
  • If you need to report a technical issue related to your online exam, please contact PSI’s technical team
    •  Customer Service phone numbers:
      • For US: 1-844-267-1017
      • For international: 1-617-564-9052
Due to circumstances, I can no longer take the CPHQ exam within my designated timeframe. Can I request additional time to schedule and take the exam?
    • An extension may be requested due to the following circumstances:
      • You have received a positive COVID-19 result within the past 14 days of your exam eligibility.
      • You have been impacted by a natural disaster within the last 30 days.
      • You have experienced a major life event (death in the family, unplanned surgery, etc.) within the last 30 days.
    • In order to be considered for additional time to take your exam, your request must be received within your exam eligibility timeframe. If any of the above criteria apply to you, you may request a maximum 90-day extension using the form below:

    • You must complete this form at least five (5) business days before your scheduled exam and/or before your exam eligibility expires. If you do not submit this form within the designated timeframe, your request will be denied. Submitting an extension request form can only be submitted ONCE per paid application.
If I have a disability, what accommodations do you make during testing?
  • NAHQ’s exam administrator, PSI, complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and strives to ensure that no individual with a disability—as defined by the ADA as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment—is deprived of the opportunity to take the examination solely by reason of that disability.
  • PSI will provide reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities. To request an accommodation, please complete this form. You can also contact PSI’s Accommodations Department  at examaccommodations@psionline.com or 1.800.733.9267, ext. 6750.
  • Please refer to the Domestic Candidate Handbook and the International Candidate Handbook for more information on this process.
How do I reschedule my exam online?
  • You may reschedule your exam date/time as many times as you would like within your exam eligibility window. However, you must reschedule your examination at least 48 hours in advance of your exam date.
  • You can schedule or reschedule your upcoming exam appointment directly through your NAHQ account with the following steps:
    • Within your NAHQ account, select My Certification 
    • Select the button labeled Schedule Exam 
    • You will be redirected to our testing vendors site. From here, you can follow the prompts to reschedule or cancel your upcoming exam appointment
How do I schedule my exam online?

After you’ve applied and paid for the CPHQ exam, you can schedule your exam directly through your NAHQ account with the following steps: 

  • Within your NAHQ account, select My Certification
  • Select the button labeled Schedule Exam
  • You will be redirected to our testing vendors site. From here, you can follow the prompts to schedule your exam
Once I apply, how long do I have to schedule and sit for my exam?
  • If you are located within the United States, you will have 90 days from your application date to take the CPHQ exam.
  • If you are located outside of the United States, you applied to sit for the CPHQ exam during a specific testing window and will be required to take the exam during that timeframe.
I am interested in taking the CPHQ exam at a test center. Can I view a list of test centers near me before applying for the exam?
  • Yes, you can check availability of test centers near you via the PSI website. Please keep in mind that test center availability is on a first-come, first-served basis. The available test dates and time are displayed in real time and the availability of your preferred test dates and times cannot be guaranteed until you have completed the scheduling process.
Where can I take the exam?
  • The CPHQ exam can now be taken online with a remote proctor, or at a test center. You can check availability via the PSI website for online or in-person testing. Please keep in mind that test center availability is on a first-come, first-served basis. The available test dates and time are displayed in real time and the availability of your preferred test dates and times cannot be guaranteed until you have completed the scheduling process.
  • Learn more about the option to take your exam online and assess if this option is right for you.
When is the exam offered?
  • If you are located within the United States, the exam is offered 365 days a year, besides major U.S. holidays.
  • If you are located outside of the United States, you can sit for the exam during one of our testing windows. Current testing windows and application periods are listed on the Application page.
How much is the exam fee?

For those taking the exam within the United States, the cost of the exam is:

  • NAHQ member rate: $519
  • Nonmember rate: $619

For those taking the exam outside of the United States, the cost of the exam is:

  • NAHQ member rate: $579
  • Nonmember rate: $679

In addition, each year the Healthcare Quality Foundation awards grants to individuals looking to enhance their professional development by earning the CPHQ. Application deadlines are January 31 and July 31.