CPHQ Exam

Healthcare professionals desiring to demonstrate expertise in the field of healthcare quality can set themselves apart from the crowd by obtaining the Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) certification.

CPHQ certification assures healthcare employers and the general public that you have the knowledge, skills, and experience required to work in the field of healthcare quality. Mometrix has developed the CPHQ study guide to assist you in obtaining the prestigious designation as a certified Professional in Healthcare Quality.

Online CPHQ Prep Course

If you want to be fully prepared, Mometrix offers an online CPHQ Prep Course. The course is designed to provide you with any and every resource you might want while studying. The CPHQ Course includes:

  • Review Lessons Covering Every Topic
  • 950+ CPHQ Practice Questions
  • More than 500 Digital Flashcards
  • Money-back Guarantee
  • Free Mobile Access
  • and More!

The CPHQ Prep Course is designed to help any learner get everything they need to prepare for their CPHQ exam. Click below to check it out!

The National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ) is a not-for-profit organization formed in 1976 with the purpose of advancing the healthcare quality profession through the creation of a certification program. The Healthcare Quality Certification Commission (HQCC) is the branch of NAHQ that institutes standards, procedures, and policies in the field of healthcare quality certification.

The CPHQ certification exam materials were developed by HQCC and practicing healthcare quality professionals. The CPHQ exam content is evaluated and updated regularly to make sure the exam mirrors current practices. The examination committee has written the test primarily for quality professionals who have been performing CPHQ tasks for at least 2 years.

Although there are no specified requirements for testing, the exam is not appropriate for entry-level applicants. Professionals who have achieved a passing grade on the CPHQ examination are eligible to use the designation Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality® and the acronym “CPHQ” with their name on business cards, letterheads, and all correspondence.

Once certified, the credential is valid for a 2-year period beginning on January 1 of the year following the date the examination was passed. A total of 30 CE hours over the 2-year period is required for recertification.


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The CPHQ examination is a computer-based test available at test centers across the United States and internationally. On the day of your exam, you will have the opportunity to take a practice examination to allow you to get comfortable with the testing process before taking the actual CPHQ exam.

If you take the suggested practice exam, the time spent on it and the questions do not count toward your actual exam. You will have a total of 3 hours to complete the 140 questions on the CPHQ exam. Only 125 of them are calculated for the final test score. Fifteen of the questions are unidentified pretest questions scattered throughout the exam.

The pretest questions allow the test developers to validate questions before using them to measure competency. Once you have completed the exam, you will receive an unofficial score report indicating either a passing or failing score.

If a passing score is achieved, official documentation will be sent by mail. If a passing score is not achieved, a candidate may reapply to take the exam 90 days after the initial exam date. The exam can be taken a maximum of three times within a calendar year.

If a passing score is not achieved on three attempts within a calendar year, then the candidate must wait a full calendar year from the last attempt to reapply to test again. As you can see, you can save time and money by being adequately prepared before taking the CPHQ exam. The CPHQ study guide by Mometrix will provide you with the preparation you need to obtain a passing score.

The CPHQ exam tests not only the candidate’s knowledge but also their ability to use that knowledge to perform certain tasks and to appropriately apply that knowledge. The CPHQ exam includes three types of multiple-choice questions.

Recall questions, which test knowledge of specific concepts and facts, comprise 23% of the questions. Application questions, which test the candidate’s ability to interpret and apply information to a given situation, make up 57% of the questions. The analysis questions comprise 20% of the questions and ensure the candidate has the ability necessary to analyze and problem solve as needed in a healthcare setting.

A detailed content outline is available on the HQCC website but the content is organized into seven areas.

  1. Quality Leadership and Integration (19 scored questions)
  2. Performance and Process Improvement (27 scored questions)
  3. Population Health and Care Transitions (11 scored questions)
  4. Health Data Analytics (26 scored questions)
  5. Patient Safety (18 scored questions)
  6. Quality Review and accountability (16 scored questions)
  7. Regulatory and Accreditation (8 scored questions)

CPHQ certification is the only accredited certification in the field of healthcare quality. You will want to do everything you can to adequately prepare for this important examination which will designate you as a distinguished healthcare quality professional.

The Mometrix CPHQ study guide and CPHQ online prep course cover the same content as the actual CPHQ exam and include answers and detailed explanations of those answers so that you can clearly understand which questions you missed and why you missed them. The CPHQ study guide and CPHQ online prep course by Mometrix is your first step on the road to achieving the title of Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality.

CPHQ FAQ

Q

What is the CPHQ certification?

A

The CPHQ certification shows that you have the knowledge and dedication needed to become an employee in all healthcare settings.

Q

How much does it cost to take the CPHQ?

A

For NAHQ members, the cost to take the CPHQ is $399. For nonmembers, the cost is $469. Paying by check will add $25 to your fee.

Q

How do you become CPHQ certified?

A

To become CPHQ certified, visit nahq.org.

Q

Is the CPHQ exam all multiple choice?

A

Yes, the CPHQ exam contains 135 multiple-choice questions.

Q

How long do you have to take the CPHQ?

A

Test-takers are given 3 hours to complete the CPHQ.

Q

How do you sign up for the CPHQ exam?

A

You can sign up for the CPHQ exam by visiting their site.

Q

What is a passing score for the CPHQ exam?

A

The passing score changes depending on the difficulty of the test you take. On average, you have to answer around 73% correctly.