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118+ Free CHC Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CHC Exam

120

Exam Questions (100 scored)

HCCA/CCB

2 hours

Exam Time Limit

HCCA/CCB

$350-$450

Exam Fee

HCCA 2026 fee schedule

Not published

Pass Rate

HCCA/CCB

7 domains

Exam Content Areas

CHC Detailed Content Outline

2 years

Certification Validity

HCCA/CCB renewal policy

The CHC exam has 120 questions (100 scored) with a 2-hour time limit and costs $350-$450. CCB sets the passing standard with the Angoff method and does not publish a pass rate or fixed raw-score cutoff. The heaviest domains are Monitoring, Auditing, and Internal Reporting Systems (22%), Investigations and Remedial Measures (20%), and Compliance Program Administration (19%). Standard eligibility requires compliance experience plus 20 approved CEUs; the accredited-university pathway has separate relief windows. Certification is valid for 2 years.

Sample CHC Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CHC exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 118+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which of the following is considered the FIRST element of an effective compliance program according to OIG guidance?
A.Conducting internal monitoring and auditing
B.Implementing written policies, procedures, and standards of conduct
C.Responding promptly to detected offenses
D.Enforcing disciplinary guidelines
Explanation: The OIG's seven elements of an effective compliance program begin with the development of written policies, procedures, and standards of conduct. This element establishes the foundation for the entire program by setting clear expectations for organizational behavior and compliance. Without written standards, other program elements like training, monitoring, and enforcement lack a reference point for measuring compliance.
2What is the PRIMARY role of a compliance officer within a healthcare organization?
A.To serve as the organization's legal counsel
B.To oversee the day-to-day operation of the compliance program
C.To conduct all internal audits personally
D.To approve all clinical treatment decisions
Explanation: The compliance officer is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operation of the compliance program, including program development, implementation, and monitoring. While the compliance officer works closely with legal counsel, they are not the organization's attorney. The role includes reporting to senior leadership and the board, coordinating compliance activities, and serving as the point of contact for compliance concerns.
3A compliance committee typically includes representatives from which areas of the organization?
A.Only the compliance department and legal counsel
B.Representatives from key operational areas such as billing, clinical, legal, HR, and compliance
C.Only senior executives and the board of directors
D.Only the compliance officer and external auditors
Explanation: An effective compliance committee includes representatives from key operational areas across the organization, such as billing, clinical operations, legal, human resources, information technology, and compliance. This cross-functional composition ensures that compliance issues are identified from multiple perspectives and that compliance initiatives are effectively communicated and implemented throughout the organization.
4How often should a healthcare organization's compliance program be reviewed and updated?
A.Only when the OIG issues new guidance
B.At least annually, or more frequently as regulations and organizational risks change
C.Every five years during recertification
D.Only after a government investigation
Explanation: Compliance programs should be reviewed and updated at least annually, and more frequently when significant regulatory changes occur, new risk areas are identified, or organizational operations change substantially. A static compliance program cannot keep pace with evolving regulations, enforcement trends, and organizational growth. Regular reviews ensure the program remains effective and aligned with current requirements and best practices.
5Which OIG resource provides industry-specific guidance on developing compliance programs for different healthcare sectors?
A.The Federal Register
B.OIG Compliance Program Guidance documents
C.The Code of Federal Regulations
D.Medicare Claims Processing Manual
Explanation: The OIG has published a series of Compliance Program Guidance (CPG) documents tailored to specific healthcare sectors including hospitals, nursing facilities, clinical laboratories, home health agencies, physician practices, and others. These documents provide industry-specific recommendations for implementing the seven elements of an effective compliance program and identify common risk areas unique to each sector.
6What is the recommended reporting structure for the compliance officer to ensure program independence?
A.The compliance officer should report only to the CFO
B.The compliance officer should have direct access to the governing body (board of directors) and report to senior leadership
C.The compliance officer should report to the billing department manager
D.The compliance officer should report to an external consulting firm
Explanation: To ensure independence and effectiveness, the compliance officer should have direct access to the governing body (board of directors or audit committee) and report to senior leadership, ideally the CEO. This reporting structure protects the compliance function from undue influence and ensures that compliance concerns reach the highest levels of organizational authority. OIG guidance emphasizes that the compliance officer should not be subordinate to the legal counsel, CFO, or other operational leaders.
7Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of a compliance program's code of conduct?
A.To replace all individual department policies
B.To establish the organization's commitment to ethical behavior and compliance expectations for all employees
C.To serve as a legally binding contract between the organization and its employees
D.To list all federal and state healthcare regulations
Explanation: A code of conduct establishes the organization's commitment to ethical behavior and sets forth expectations for all employees, contractors, and agents. It serves as the overarching document that communicates the organization's values, ethical principles, and compliance expectations. While it guides behavior, it is not intended to replace department-specific policies, serve as a legal contract, or comprehensively list all regulations.
8An organization is developing a new compliance program. Which step should be taken FIRST?
A.Hiring external auditors to review billing practices
B.Conducting a baseline risk assessment to identify the organization's key compliance risk areas
C.Implementing a compliance hotline
D.Scheduling compliance training for all employees
Explanation: A baseline risk assessment should be the first step when developing a new compliance program. This assessment identifies the organization's key compliance risk areas, which then informs the development of policies, training content, monitoring priorities, and resource allocation. Without understanding the organization's specific risks, other program elements cannot be effectively tailored. The risk assessment provides the foundation for a risk-based compliance program.
9What is the significance of having the board of directors engaged in compliance program oversight?
A.It is only a suggestion with no practical importance
B.Board engagement demonstrates governance-level commitment and satisfies the compliance program element of high-level oversight
C.The board must personally conduct all compliance investigations
D.Board engagement is only required for publicly traded companies
Explanation: Board engagement in compliance oversight is critical because it demonstrates governance-level commitment to compliance, which is one of the seven elements of an effective program. The board (or designated committee) should receive regular compliance reports, review program effectiveness, and ensure adequate resources are allocated. Board involvement also demonstrates to regulators and enforcement agencies that compliance is a top organizational priority.
10A compliance officer discovers that the organization lacks sufficient resources to effectively monitor all identified risk areas. What is the MOST appropriate response?
A.Ignore lower-priority risk areas entirely
B.Prioritize monitoring activities based on a risk assessment and communicate resource needs to senior leadership and the board
C.Outsource the entire compliance function to a third party
D.Wait until the next budget cycle to address the issue
Explanation: When resources are insufficient, the compliance officer should prioritize monitoring activities based on risk assessment results, focusing on the highest-risk areas first, while communicating the resource gap and its implications to senior leadership and the board. This approach ensures the most critical risks are addressed while building the case for additional resources. Ignoring risks or deferring action creates organizational liability.

About the CHC Exam

The CHC exam validates healthcare compliance knowledge across the current seven-domain CCB Detailed Content Outline: standards and policies; program administration; screening; communication and training; monitoring and auditing; discipline; and investigations and remediation.

Assessment

120 multiple-choice questions (100 scored, 20 unscored pretest items)

Time Limit

2 hours

Passing Score

Criterion-referenced (Angoff method)

Exam Fee

$350 (HCCA members) / $450 (non-members) (Compliance Certification Board (CCB) / HCCA)

CHC Exam Content Outline

11%

Standards, Policies, and Procedures

Codes of conduct, healthcare laws and guidance, policies, procedures, regulatory change, documentation, and non-retaliation

19%

Compliance Program Administration

Program structure, governance, resources, risk assessment, reporting, coordination, and program-effectiveness evaluation

6%

Screening and Evaluation

Workforce and third-party screening, exclusions, conflicts, due diligence, job expectations, and evaluation processes

14%

Communication, Education, and Training

General and role-specific training, reporting and guidance channels, speak-up culture, records, and effectiveness checks

22%

Monitoring, Auditing, and Internal Reporting Systems

Risk-based work plans, monitoring, auditing, reporting systems, data analysis, corrective-action tracking, and effectiveness testing

8%

Discipline for Non-compliance

Consistent and proportionate consequences, incentives, accountability, documentation, coordination, and non-retaliation

20%

Investigations and Remedial Measures

Triage, investigation planning, evidence, root-cause analysis, corrective action, repayment, disclosure, and government response

How to Pass the CHC Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Criterion-referenced (Angoff method)
  • Assessment: 120 multiple-choice questions (100 scored, 20 unscored pretest items)
  • Time limit: 2 hours
  • Exam fee: $350 (HCCA members) / $450 (non-members)

Keys to Passing

  • Work through all 118 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CHC Study Tips from Top Performers

1Use the seven elements of an effective compliance program from OIG guidance as an organizing framework, then map them to the current seven CCB domains
2Study how major healthcare laws and guidance affect policies, risk assessment, monitoring, investigations, and corrective action rather than treating them as a separate exam domain
3Practice applying compliance concepts to realistic scenarios rather than memorizing definitions — the exam emphasizes application and analysis questions
4Focus most study time on the three highest-weighted domains: Monitoring/Auditing (22%), Investigations (20%), and Compliance Program Administration (19%)
5Review OIG compliance program guidance documents, Corporate Integrity Agreements, and self-disclosure protocols — these are directly referenced in exam content

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CHC certification?

The Certified in Healthcare Compliance (CHC) is a professional credential offered by the Compliance Certification Board (CCB) under the Health Care Compliance Association (HCCA). It validates that a professional has the knowledge and skills to develop and manage effective healthcare compliance programs, navigate federal and state regulations, and mitigate compliance-related risks. The CHC is the most widely recognized certification for healthcare compliance professionals.

How many questions are on the CHC exam and how long do I have?

The CHC exam contains 120 multiple-choice questions with a 2-hour time limit. Only 100 questions are scored toward your pass/fail result. The remaining 20 are unscored pretest items used by CCB to evaluate future exam questions. Pretest items are mixed throughout the exam and are not identified, so you should answer every question to the best of your ability.

What are the eligibility requirements for the CHC exam?

The standard pathway requires at least 1 year in a full-time compliance position or 1,500 hours of direct compliance duties within 2 years of applying, plus 20 CCB-approved CEUs earned within 12 months of the exam date, including at least 10 live CEUs. Graduates of CCB-accredited university certificate programs receive separate timing relief: they may satisfy the work-experience requirement within 24 months and the CEU requirement within 12 months after completing the program.

How much does the CHC exam cost?

The CHC exam application fee is $350 for HCCA or SCCE members and $450 for non-members. A $75 non-refundable application fee is included. If you need to retake the exam, a $75 re-exam application fee applies. Rescheduling fees are $75 if changes are made within the allowed window. HCCA membership provides a $100 discount on the exam fee.

What is the CHC exam pass rate?

CCB does not publish a first-time or overall CHC pass rate, and it does not publish a fixed raw-score cutoff. It uses a criterion-referenced Angoff process to set the passing standard. If you do not pass on the first attempt, you may retake the exam in the next available cycle; after two failed attempts within 180 days, you must wait 180 days before reapplying.