What the Course Entails and Exam Details

Preparing for the CHPS exam is less about a formal "course" and more about mastering a rigorous body of knowledge defined by AHIMA’s content outline. To be eligible, candidates typically need a combination of education (e.g., Associate’s, Bachelor’s, or Master’s degree) and several years of experience specifically in healthcare privacy or security management. The material covers four primary domains, ensuring a balanced understanding of both regulatory rules and technical safeguards:

• Domain 1: Ethical, Legal, and Regulatory Issues (23-27%): This domain focuses on assessing the regulatory environment. It includes interpreting and applying HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules, state laws, the HITECH Act, and accreditation standards (like Joint Commission). It requires an ability to demonstrate compliance through documentation and understanding the role of privacy and security officers.
• Domain 2: Program Management and Administration (23-27%): This section covers the creation and communication of privacy and security policies. Key areas include managing Business Associate Agreements (BAAs), evaluating facility security plans, delivering workforce training, and defining the HIPAA Designated Record Set for response protocols.
• Domain 3: Information Technology/Physical and Technical Safeguards (23-27%): This domain handles the technical implementation of protection. It involves monitoring technical safeguards (like encryption and access controls), managing security incidents, assessing vulnerabilities, and establishing preventative measures to mitigate breaches.
• Domain 4: Investigation, Compliance, and Enforcement (23-27%): The final domain concerns handling incidents. It covers investigating potential breaches, performing security audits, managing the de-identification process, and coordinating responses with regulatory bodies like the Office for Civil Rights (OCR).

What to Expect in the Final Exam

The CHPS exam is a computer-based test (CBT) consisting of 150 multiple-choice questions. Of these, 125 are scored items, while 25 are pretest items that do not count toward your final score. You will not know which questions are pretest, so you must answer every item with equal care. Candidates are given a total of three and a half hours (3.5 hours) to complete the examination.

The passing standard for the CHPS exam is established on a scaled score system. While the total number of correct answers needed can vary slightly depending on the specific form of the exam you receive, the scaled passing score is consistently 300. Because the scaled score is used, a raw percentage correct is not provided as the passing benchmark. The exam environment is strictly proctored, and you will need to provide valid identification and will not be permitted to bring external materials, such as notes or textbooks, into the testing room. Given the time limit and the complexity of the scenario-based questions, time management and thorough domain knowledge are paramount to success.

How to Study and Exam Centers

Successfully navigating the CHPS exam requires an active and multifaceted study strategy that moves beyond simple memorization.

Study Strategies:

1. Master the AHIMA Candidate Guide: Start here. This official document includes the most up-to-date content outline, task statements, and recommended reference list. Use the domains as your ultimate syllabus.
2. Focus on the Core Regulations: You must have an in-depth understanding of the HIPAA Privacy Rule, Security Rule, and Breach Notification Rule. Read the actual regulatory text (available via HHS.gov) for foundational understanding.
3. Utilize Official AHIMA Resources: AHIMA offers official CHPS exam prep books and online review courses. These resources are designed specifically to align with the current exam domains and often include retired exam questions.
4. Practice is Essential: Take multiple full-length, timed practice exams. This is critical for assessing your knowledge gaps and building the necessary stamina and speed for the actual 3.5-hour test. Focus not just on getting questions right, but on understanding why the correct answer is the best choice based on regulation.
5. Join a Study Group: Collaborative learning with peers preparing for the same exam can offer new perspectives on difficult domains, particularly technical safeguards or legal interpretations.

Exam Centers and Scheduling:

The CHPS exam is administered globally through AHIMA’s testing partner, Pearson VUE. To take the exam, you must first apply through AHIMA and receive your Authorization to Test (ATT) letter. Once you have your ATT, you can create a Pearson VUE account and schedule your appointment. The exam can be taken at authorized Pearson VUE testing centers, which include dedicated professional centers and authorized academic institutions. Depending on current AHIMA policy and eligibility, some candidates may also have the option to take the exam via online proctoring (OnVUE), which allows you to test from a secure location like your home or office. We highly recommend verifying the most current scheduling options on both the AHIMA and Pearson VUE websites before planning your test date.

Job Opportunities from the Course

Earning the CHPS credential demonstrates a level of expertise that is highly valued as healthcare data security becomes increasingly critical. This certification unlocks leadership and specialized roles across the healthcare ecosystem, including hospitals, health systems, health insurance companies, large physician practices, and consulting firms.

The following job titles and career paths are directly unlocked by achieving the Certified in Healthcare Privacy and Security designation:

• Chief Privacy Officer (CPO)
• Healthcare Compliance Manager
• Information Security Officer (ISO) in Healthcare
• Director of Health Information Management (HIM)
• Healthcare Data Governance Manager
• Privacy Auditor
• HIPAA Security Analyst
• Risk Management Analyst (Healthcare)
• Healthcare Legal and Regulatory Consultant
• Breach Response Coordinator