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Key Facts: CHESP Exam

110

Total Questions

100 scored + 10 pretest

2 hrs

Exam Time

AHA CHESP handbook

$275+

Exam Fee

AHE member price

35%

EVS Operations

Updated June 2025 (heaviest)

Content Domains

Consolidated from 7 (2025)

3 yrs

Certification Period

45 CEs for renewal

The AHA/AHE CHESP exam uses 110 questions (100 scored + 10 pretest) with a 2-hour time limit and $275-$425 fee. Updated June 2025: 6 domains — EVS Operations/Infection Prevention (35%), Regulatory (17%), Waste (15%), Financial (15%), Admin (10%), Design/Construction (8%). Via PSI test centers or remote. Requires 3-5 years EVS experience with management role. 3-year certification.

Sample CHESP Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the CHESP exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 105+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1An EVS manager is developing a cleaning protocol for patient rooms after discharge. Which of the following is the MOST critical factor to verify before the room is released for the next patient?

A.All horizontal surfaces have been dusted

B.Proper contact time was achieved for the disinfectant used

C.The room has been aired out with the window open

D.Fresh linen has been placed on the bed

Explanation: Contact time (also called dwell time or wet time) is the most critical factor for effective disinfection. EPA-registered disinfectants must remain wet on surfaces for their specified contact time to kill pathogens. If the surface dries before the required contact time is met, the disinfectant may not achieve its claimed efficacy, leaving viable pathogens on the surface.

2During a Joint Commission survey, the surveyor asks the EVS director to explain how the department measures cleaning effectiveness. Which response BEST demonstrates an evidence-based approach?

A.We conduct visual inspections of all patient rooms after cleaning

B.We use ATP bioluminescence testing to objectively measure surface cleanliness and trend results over time

C.We rely on patient satisfaction scores to gauge room cleanliness

D.We have supervisors sign off on each cleaned room

Explanation: ATP (adenosine triphosphate) bioluminescence testing provides an objective, quantifiable measure of surface cleanliness by detecting organic material on surfaces. This evidence-based method allows the department to set benchmarks, track trends, and identify training needs. Visual inspections and supervisory sign-offs are subjective, and patient satisfaction is a lagging indicator that does not directly measure cleaning effectiveness.

3A hospital reports an outbreak of Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) on a medical-surgical unit. What is the MOST appropriate disinfectant for the EVS manager to specify for terminal cleaning of affected rooms?

A.Quaternary ammonium compound

B.Hydrogen peroxide at standard concentration

C.EPA-registered sporicidal disinfectant such as sodium hypochlorite (bleach-based)

D.Phenolic disinfectant

Explanation: C. difficile produces spores that are resistant to most standard disinfectants including quaternary ammonium compounds and phenolics. EPA-registered sporicidal agents, particularly sodium hypochlorite (bleach) solutions at appropriate concentrations (typically 5,000 ppm or 1:10 dilution), are required for effective terminal cleaning of C. diff rooms. The CDC and APIC guidelines specifically recommend bleach-based products for C. diff environments.

4Which regulatory body establishes the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard that directly affects EVS workers handling contaminated materials?

A.The Joint Commission

B.Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

C.Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

D.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Explanation: OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) establishes requirements to protect workers from occupational exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials (OPIM). This standard mandates exposure control plans, training, PPE, hepatitis B vaccination, and post-exposure evaluation for healthcare workers including EVS staff who routinely handle contaminated items.

5An EVS department is evaluating productivity metrics. What is the standard unit of measurement for EVS cleaning productivity?

A.Number of rooms cleaned per shift

B.Cleanable square feet per hour

C.Number of discharge cleans completed per day

D.Minutes spent per patient room

Explanation: Cleanable square feet per hour is the industry-standard productivity metric for EVS departments. This standardized measurement allows for meaningful benchmarking across different facility types and room configurations. It accounts for varying room sizes and cleaning complexities, providing a more accurate assessment of worker productivity than simple room counts, which can vary significantly in size and scope.

6Which color-coded waste container is used for the disposal of regulated medical waste (biohazardous waste) in a healthcare facility?

A.Blue container

B.Black container

C.Red container or bag

D.Yellow container

Explanation: Red containers or bags are the standard color coding for regulated medical waste (biohazardous waste) in U.S. healthcare facilities. This color coding is consistent with OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, which requires that regulated waste be placed in containers that are closable, labeled or color-coded red, and leak-proof. The red color provides immediate visual identification to all staff handling or transporting the waste.

7An EVS manager is onboarding new employees. Which of the following training topics is REQUIRED by OSHA before workers begin handling potentially infectious materials?

A.Customer service excellence

B.Bloodborne pathogens exposure control

C.Time management techniques

D.Hospital organizational structure

Explanation: OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) requires employers to provide training to all employees with occupational exposure to blood or OPIM at the time of initial assignment and annually thereafter. The training must cover the epidemiology and symptoms of bloodborne diseases, modes of transmission, the employer's exposure control plan, PPE use, and post-exposure procedures. This is a regulatory requirement, not optional.

8What does the acronym ICRA stand for in the context of healthcare construction and renovation projects?

A.Internal Compliance Review Assessment

B.Infection Control Risk Assessment

C.Institutional Construction Requirements Analysis

D.Integrated Cleaning Resource Allocation

Explanation: ICRA stands for Infection Control Risk Assessment, a multidisciplinary process required before any construction, renovation, or maintenance activity in a healthcare facility. The ICRA identifies potential infection risks to patients and staff from dust, debris, moisture, and disruption of essential services. EVS plays a key role in implementing barrier containment, enhanced cleaning, and monitoring during construction activities.

9An EVS director is preparing the department's annual operating budget. Which category typically represents the LARGEST portion of an EVS department budget?

A.Chemical supplies and disinfectants

B.Capital equipment purchases

C.Labor costs (wages, benefits, overtime)

D.Contracted services

Explanation: Labor costs consistently represent the largest portion of an EVS department budget, typically accounting for 85-90% of total operating expenses. This includes base wages, overtime, benefits, and temporary staffing costs. Understanding this cost driver is essential for EVS managers when developing budgets, justifying staffing models, and evaluating the financial impact of turnover and recruitment.

10Which of the following is considered a high-touch surface in a patient room that requires focused attention during daily cleaning?

A.Ceiling light fixture

B.Wall behind the headboard

C.Bed rail and nurse call button

D.Window blinds

Explanation: Bed rails and nurse call buttons are high-touch surfaces because they are frequently contacted by patients, visitors, and staff throughout the day. High-touch surfaces have been shown to harbor significantly higher microbial contamination than low-touch surfaces and are implicated in healthcare-associated infection (HAI) transmission. CDC and Joint Commission guidelines emphasize focused cleaning and disinfection of high-touch surfaces.

About the CHESP Exam

The CHESP credential certifies EVS management professionals. The updated exam (June 2025) covers EVS operations and infection prevention including textile management (35%), regulatory compliance (17%), waste management (15%), financial stewardship (15%), administration (10%), and planning/design/construction (8%). Requires healthcare EVS management experience.

Exam sponsor: AHA-CC/AHE. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

110 questions

Time Limit

2 hours

Passing Score

Criterion-referenced (Angoff, not disclosed)

Exam / Certification Fees

$275–$425

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: Not publicly reported. AHA does not publish CHESP pass rates Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

AHA-CC/AHE: official exam information

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

35%

EVS Operations and Infection Prevention

Cleaning protocols, disinfection, terminal cleaning, ATP testing, UV/electrostatic tech, textile/linen management, HAI prevention

17%

Regulatory Compliance

Joint Commission, CMS, OSHA, EPA, DOT, accreditation, survey readiness

15%

Waste Management

Regulated medical waste, hazardous waste, pharmaceutical waste, RCRA, sharps, recycling

15%

Financial Stewardship

Budget development, staffing models, productivity metrics, contract management, ROI

10%

Administration

Staff management, training, performance evaluation, quality improvement, customer satisfaction

Planning, Design and Construction

Facility design, workflow planning, renovation impact, ICRA EVS role

Preparing for the CHESP Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Criterion-referenced (Angoff, not disclosed)
Exam length: 110 questions
Time limit: 2 hours
Exam / certification fees: $275–$425 Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

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CHESP: Suggested Study Strategy

1EVS Operations/Infection Prevention is 35% — master cleaning/disinfection protocols, ATP testing validation, UV/electrostatic technology, and textile management

2Regulatory compliance (17%): know Joint Commission Environment of Care standards, CMS CoPs, and OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard

3Waste management (15%): understand regulated medical waste vs hazardous waste, RCRA requirements, and proper waste segregation

4Know C. diff requires sporicidal disinfectant (bleach-based); standard quaternary ammonium compounds are NOT effective

Frequently Asked Questions

What changed in the 2025 update?

Consolidated from 7 to 6 domains. Textile management merged into EVS Operations (now 35%). Added UV systems, electrostatic sprayers, and ATP testing. Design/Construction increased to 8%.

What are the prerequisites?

Bachelor's + 3 years EVS experience (2 in management), OR associate + 4 years (3 management), OR HS diploma + 5 years (all in management).

How much does it cost?

$275 for AHE members, $425 for non-members. Renewal: $135/$225 every 3 years with 45 CEs.