CHESP Certification | Certified Health Care Environmental Services Professional (CHESP)
Certified Health Care Environmental Services Professional (CHESP) status leads to numerous benefits, including industry recognition, enhanced job mobility, and increased employment opportunities. The credential designation demonstrates mastery of maintaining the environment of care, based on a sound assessment that provides distinction in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
CHESP certified professionals demonstrate high proficiency in environmental service management, encompassing areas of knowledge including cleaning, disinfection, infection prevention, waste management and more. They are also skilled in compliance, finance, and administration, as well as the physical environment, including planning, design, and construction.
Why should you become a CHESP?
Show expertise across a wider variety of environmental services and infection prevention subject matter.
Further understanding of waste management and textile management operations.
Build on existing finance, administrative and regulatory compliance knowledge.
Many Ways to Prepare
AHE offers several modalities to healthcare environmental services leaders looking to earn their CHESP certification. Use the chart below to compare and contrast based on your unique needs and learning style.
| Best For | Learners who can travel and want in-person instruction and real-time expert support | Learners who want live instruction and real-time expert support without travel | Independent learners who need flexibility and do not need expert support | Learners who want a physical study guide they can independently study from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Facilitator Support | Live facilitation | Live facilitation | No facilitation | No facilitation |
| Peer Interaction | High | Limited | None | None |
| Exam-simulated Questions | Included | Included | Included | Not included |
| Format | One-day, in-person | One-day, live virtual | Self-paced by topic | Physical guide only |
| Access Length | Event day + permanent guide | Event day + permanent guide | 6 months, no physical guide | Permanent guide |
| CECs | 8 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| What's Included | Guide, materials, CECs | Guide, materials, CECs | Digital content + CECs | Guide only |
| Price | $445 (member) / $599 (nonmember) | $345 (member) / $435 (nonmember) | $245 (member) / $335 (nonmember) | $245 (member) / $335 (nonmember) |
About CHESP Certification
Administered by the American Hospital Association Certification Center, the Certified Health Care Environmental Services Professional (CHESP) is the health care field credentialing certification that demonstrates mastery in maintaining the environment of care, based on a sound assessment, providing distinction in an increasingly competitive marketplace. The American Hospital Association’s Certification Center determines eligibility requirements, exam content, testing procedures, and other aspects of the certification, and oversees the examination process.
CHESPs demonstrate advanced knowledge in the following areas:
- Regulatory compliance
- Planning, design and construction
- Environmental services operations and infection prevention
- Waste management operations
- Financial stewardship
- Administration
The American Hospital Association Certification Center contracts with PSI to administer the CHESP 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 CHESP exam.
Veteran Benefits
If you qualify for VA benefits, you can get the cost of the CHESP 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.
Retired Status
Active CHESP certificants who are no longer employed or actively working in their profession can apply for a Retired status for their CHESP certification in the Certification Management Portal. Learn more about the application process for Retired status on the AHA Certification Center website.
How to Take the Exam
- Register to take the CHESP exam at a PSI Assessment Center.
- Frequently asked questions for the CHESP exam and CHESP recertification.
- Read the CHESP Candidate Handbook for more details including:
- Scheduling the exam
- Rules for taking the exam
- ID requirements for taking the exam
- Passing and failing information
- CHESP renewal information
Contact Information
To register for the exam, submit your application or confirm your registration, contact PSI at 858-875-3688 or examschedule@psionline.com.
For additional information about the CHESP Certification Workshop, contact the AHA Certification Center at 312-422-3702, or certification@aha.org.
To contact the AHE Education team call 312-422-3800 or email them at ahe@aha.org.
CHESP Certificants
Find the current, full list of Certified Health Care Environmental Services Professionals.