Preparing for the CHC Exam: A Resource List
The Certified Healthcare Constructor (CHC) exam features questions organized into four broad domains: healthcare industry fundamentals; the planning, design, and construction process; healthcare facility safety additions and renovations; and financial stewardship. ASHE is working to develop a list of resources useful to those preparing for the exam, and the list below is an initial version. ASHE will continue to develop this list as members provide feedback and suggestions for improvement.
While the following resources may be helpful in preparing for the exam, though this is not a complete list and this reading material does not cover exam questions directly. ASHE does not have access to the questions on the exam, which is offered through the AHA Certification Center. This list is intended to be a starting point for those interested in studying for the CHC exam, as well as a list of general reading for all health care construction professionals.
If you are not sure which materials you should focus on, consider starting by reading the detailed domains in the CHC Candidate Handbook and Application or by taking the CHC Self-Assessment Exam to find your strengths and weaknesses. If you are not yet an ASHE member, consider joining to gain access to the members-only resources and discounts listed below.
EXAM PREPARATION/READINESS REVIEW
- CHC Exam Review Course (ASHE members get a $100 discount)
- CHC Self-Assessment Examination (ASHE members get $85 discount)
- CHC Candidate Handbook and Application
HEALTH CARE FUNDAMENTALS
Reading materials:
- NFPA 101 Handbook, 2012 Edition
- NFPA 99 Handbook, 2012 Edition
- FGI Guidelines for the Design and Construction of Hospitals and Outpatient Facilities
- Medical Gas Cylinder and Bulk Tank Storage (Monograph; free download for ASHE members)
Education programs:
- Application of NFPA 99 in Health Care Facilities e-learning course (ASHE members get $100 discount)
- Managing Life Safety (2000 edition) e-learning course (ASHE members get $50 discount)
- Accreditation Management Program Development Workshop (available as a hosted program)
On Demand recordings (available only to ASHE members):
- Test Your Code Knowledge: An Interactive Q&A Discussion of Regulatory Codes (from 2015 PDC Summit)
- Test Your Code Knowledge: An Interactive Discussion of Regulatory Codes (from 2015 Annual Conference)
- Test Your Code Knowledge- An Interactive Q&A Discussion of Regulatory Codes (from 2016 Annual Conference)
PLANNING, DESIGN, AND CONSTRUCTION PROCESS
Reading materials:
- Construction Management of Healthcare Projects (ASHE members get $25 discount)
- Introduction to Planning, Design, and Construction (ASHE members get $20 discount)
- Mechanical Systems for Health Care Facilities (ASHE members get $30 discount)
- Electrical Systems Handbook for Health Care Facilities (ASHE members get $30 discount)
- Health Facility Commissioning Handbook (ASHE members get $30 discount)
- Roofing: Basics and Beyond (Monograph; ASHE members get free download)
- Managing Hospital Electrical Shutdowns (Monograph; ASHE members get free download)
Education programs:
- Managing the PDC Process™ Program (available as a hosted program)
On Demand recordings (available only to ASHE members):
HEALTH CARE FACILITY SAFETY ADDITIONS AND RENOVATIONS
Reading materials:
- NFPA 101 Handbook
- NFPA 241: Standard for Safeguarding Construction, Alteration, and Demolition Operations
- Guidelines for Environmental Infection Control in Health-Care Facilities
For the purpose of preparing for the CHC exam, a candidate might may want to review the following sections:- Part II Section C Recommendations–Air, beginning on page 118
- Part II Section D Recommendations—Water III Remediation Strategies for Distribution System Repairs or Emergencies, beginning on page 126.
Education programs:
- Health Care Construction Workshop (ASHE members get $150 discount)
On Demand recordings (available only to ASHE members):
- NFPA 101: Chapter 43 Building Rehabilitation
- The 2012 Edition of NFPA 101 and Its Impact on Existing Health Care Facilities
- Power Generation for Health Care Facilities
- Managing Hospital Electrical Shutdowns
FINANCAL STEWARDSHIP
Reading materials:
On Demand recordings (available only to ASHE members):
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR FURTHER READING:
- Good to Great-Why Some Companies Make the Leap...And Others Don't
- The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right
- Transforming Health Care Leadership: A Systems Guide to Improve Patient Care, Decrease Costs, and Improve Population Health