CHFM Certification | Certified Health Care Facility Manager (CHFM)
The Certified Health Care Facility Manager (CHFM) exam features questions organized into five broad domains: compliance; planning, design, and construction; maintenance and operations; finance; and administration. 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.
Why should you become a CHFM?
Verify your extensive knowledge of critical systems in the physical health care environment
Keep up with best practices in the health care facility management field
Ensure you are prepared for inspections and audits from ruling authorities
Share your CHFM Story – Don's Story
Meet Don Page, Director of Engineering, 2024 ASHE Advisory Board Member and a Certified Health Care Facility Manager! Don wanted to earn his CHFM because his stand-alone facility "relies on me for direction related to compliance, budgeting, and overall maintenance for the organization. The CHFM made me a better facility director when situations arise that need to be addressed."
Don Page
MBA, CHFM
Why did you pursue your CHFM?
My goal in obtaining my CHFM was to broaden my knowledge base in health care. My facility, being a stand-alone facility, relies on me for direction related to compliance, budgeting, and overall maintenance for the organization. The CHFM made me a better facility director when situations arise that need to be addressed.
I wanted to further my understanding of the many facets of health care management/facility engineering. Getting certified required digging deeper into the 5 main focal areas of the certification (compliance, planning/design, maintenance/operations, finance, administration). As with virtually all things in life, your knowledge and understanding are strengthened through the study and preparation phase before the actual exam.
How long did it take you to earn the CHFM?
My journey started many years ago and I will say that I support the requirement to be in the "health care field" for 3 years before being allowed to take the exam. This is an important part of the journey, and your development, to deal with healthcare-related issues in a real-life setting.
As it relates to certification exam prep, I completed the ASHE exam review course approximately 6 months before the exam date. I also purchased the ASHE flashcards for review along with the DataChem software questions as a study guide. Overall, I studied for approximately 5-6 months before the test. For me, anytime I came across a question that I thought might fit the exam I copied it into a Word document for review. I ended up with roughly 35 pages of information in my binder.
My final advice would be to take your study time seriously, it is not an easy exam, but can be less stressful through being diligent in your study and review.
How has your career advanced?
No change at this point in the position, or salary --- it was more about personal satisfaction that I wanted the achieve the certification. Who knows what the future holds!
I will say without a doubt having gone through the certification process has increased my confidence in addressing issues that we all face day to day. The self-confidence it gives you to take on the challenges and get answers is very satisfying. I am not saying you will have all the answers, but you will have a better understanding of where to find the right answer when the time comes.
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 CHFM exam, as well as a list of general reading for all health care facility professionals.
If you are not sure which materials you should focus on, consider starting by reading the detailed domains in the CHFM Candidate Handbook and Application or by taking the CHFM 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.
Recommended Areas of Focus for the CHFM Exam
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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)
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Education programs:
- Application of NFPA 99 in Health Care Facilities e-learning course (ASHE members get $100 discount)
- Managing Life Safety (2012 edition) e-learning course (ASHE members get $50 discount)
- Managing Accreditation in the Physical Environment (available as a hosted program)
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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 2015 PDC Summit)
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Reading materials:
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Reading materials:
- 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)
- Health Facility Design Information Checklist (Monograph; ASHE members get free download)
- Managing Hospital Electrical Shutdowns (Monograph; ASHE members get free download)
- Construction Management of Healthcare Projects
- On Demand recordings (available only to ASHE members):
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Reading materials:
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Reading materials:
- Maintenance Management for Health Care Facilities (ASHE members get $30 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)
- Managing Hospital Electrical Shutdowns (Monograph; ASHE members get free download)
- Managing Hospital Emergency Power Systems (Monograph; ASHE members get free download)
- On Demand recordings (available only to ASHE members):
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Reading materials:
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- Reading materials:
- On Demand recordings (available only to ASHE members):
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- Reading materials:
- On Demand recordings (available only to ASHE members):
- Additional resources for further reading:
Exam Preparation/Readiness Review
The American Hospital Association Certification Center contracts with PSI to administer the CHFM exam. Candidates can schedule their exam with PSI at an approved testing center or they can schedule a live-remote proctored exam with PSI. Learn more about testing logistics for the CHFM exam.
Veteran Benefits
If you qualify for VA benefits, you can get the cost of the CHFM exam covered!
After you register and pay for the exam of your choice, fill out an Application for Reimbursement of Licensing or Certification Test Fees (VA Form 22-0803). Send the completed application and proof of payment to your Regional Processing Office. If you need help, call the VA toll-free at 1-888-422-4551 or visit the VA website.
CHFM Exam Review Course
Through a combination of lecture, CHFM exam-simulated practice test questions, and study materials, you will feel more confident to take the CHFM exam and also review best practices for taking a computer-based test.
ASHE members get a $100 discount.
CHFM Self-Assessment Examination & Flashcards
Use this self-assessment exam, or these flash cards to gain an understanding of what areas you might need to cover more in your preparation for the CHFM exam.
ASHE members get a discount.
CHFM Candidate Handbook & Application
Access the CHFM candidate handbook to learn more about the exam, exam preparation tactics and more.