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Key Facts: CHEST Exam

Total Questions

AHE CHEST exam page

2 hrs

Exam Time

AHE CHEST exam page

$179

Exam Fee

Includes training materials

24 hrs

Required Training

AHE T-CHEST program

3 yrs

Certification Period

15 CEs for renewal

Content Domains

AHE job analysis

The AHE CHEST exam uses 50 multiple-choice questions with a 2-hour time limit and $179 fee (includes training materials). Content: Infection Prevention (20%), Cleaning/Disinfection (20%), Communication (20%), Safety (15%), Waste (10%), Linen (10%), Floor Care (5%). Facility-based exam proctored via PSI. Requires 6+ months EVS experience + 24-hour training program. 3-year certification.

Sample CHEST Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the CHEST exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 126+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What is the MOST important action an EVS technician can take to prevent the spread of infections in a healthcare facility?

A.Wearing gloves at all times

B.Performing proper hand hygiene

C.Using the strongest cleaning chemicals available

D.Cleaning rooms as quickly as possible

Explanation: Proper hand hygiene is the single most effective measure for preventing the spread of infections in healthcare settings. The CDC identifies hand hygiene as the cornerstone of infection prevention. While gloves are important PPE, they are not a substitute for hand washing, and wearing them at all times is not practical or recommended. Using the strongest chemicals is unnecessary and potentially hazardous, and speed should never compromise thoroughness.

2When should an EVS technician wash their hands with soap and water instead of using alcohol-based hand rub?

A.Before entering any patient room

B.Only at the beginning of a shift

C.When hands are visibly soiled or after exposure to C. difficile

D.Whenever soap and water happens to be more conveniently located nearby

Explanation: Soap and water must be used when hands are visibly soiled, contaminated with blood or body fluids, or after caring for patients with Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) or norovirus. Alcohol-based hand rub does not kill C. diff spores, and it cannot remove visible dirt. The friction of hand washing physically removes spores and soil from the skin. Convenience alone does not determine which method to use.

3Which type of transmission occurs when pathogens travel through the air over long distances and can remain suspended for extended periods?

A.Direct or indirect contact transmission through touching contaminated surfaces

B.Droplet transmission

C.Airborne transmission

D.Vehicle transmission

Explanation: Airborne transmission occurs when tiny particles (droplet nuclei less than 5 microns) remain suspended in the air for extended periods and can travel long distances through air currents. Diseases spread by airborne transmission include tuberculosis, measles, and chickenpox. This type of transmission requires special precautions including negative-pressure isolation rooms and N95 respirators for healthcare workers.

4An EVS technician is assigned to clean a room where the patient is on Contact Precautions. What PPE must the technician wear before entering?

A.Surgical mask only

B.Gown and gloves

C.N95 respirator and eye protection

D.No PPE is needed for EVS staff

Explanation: Contact Precautions require wearing a gown and gloves before entering the patient room. These precautions are used for patients with infections spread by direct or indirect contact, such as MRSA, VRE, and C. difficile. The gown protects clothing from contamination, and gloves protect the hands. Both must be removed before leaving the room, followed by immediate hand hygiene.

5What does the term 'Standard Precautions' mean in healthcare?

A.Precautions used only for patients who already have a known, confirmed infection

B.Baseline practices applied to ALL patients regardless of infection status

C.Extra cleaning procedures used only in operating rooms

D.Precautions required only during flu season

Explanation: Standard Precautions are the minimum infection prevention practices that apply to all patient care, regardless of suspected or confirmed infection status. They are based on the principle that all blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, non-intact skin, and mucous membranes may contain transmissible infectious agents. Standard Precautions include hand hygiene, PPE use based on anticipated exposure, respiratory hygiene, safe injection practices, and safe handling of contaminated equipment and surfaces.

6Which of the following is a high-touch surface that requires frequent cleaning in a patient room?

A.The ceiling

B.The top of the wardrobe

C.The bed rail

D.The window sill behind the curtain

Explanation: Bed rails are high-touch surfaces because they are frequently touched by patients, visitors, and healthcare workers. High-touch surfaces harbor more pathogens and play a significant role in disease transmission. Other high-touch surfaces include light switches, door handles, call buttons, bedside tables, toilet flush handles, and bathroom grab bars. These surfaces require more frequent cleaning and disinfection than low-touch surfaces like ceilings, walls, and windowsills.

7What is 'contact time' (dwell time) when using a disinfectant?

A.The amount of time the disinfectant bottle has been open

B.The amount of time it takes to wipe a surface completely dry after applying the disinfectant

C.The length of time a surface must remain wet with disinfectant to kill pathogens

D.The time between applying disinfectant to two different surfaces

Explanation: Contact time (also called dwell time or wet contact time) is the length of time a surface must remain visibly wet with the disinfectant for it to effectively kill the pathogens listed on its label. If the surface dries before the required contact time is reached, the disinfectant may not achieve its claimed kill rate. EVS technicians must follow the manufacturer's directions on the product label for proper contact time, which typically ranges from 1 to 10 minutes.

8What is the correct order for cleaning a patient room?

A.Start with the bathroom, then move to the patient area

B.Clean from the dirtiest areas first, then work toward the cleaner areas last

C.Clean from the cleanest areas to the dirtiest areas (bathroom last)

D.Start wherever is most convenient

Explanation: The correct cleaning sequence is from the cleanest areas to the dirtiest areas, typically finishing with the bathroom. This prevents cross-contamination from heavily soiled areas to cleaner ones. In a patient room, the general sequence is: high-touch surfaces near the patient (bed rail, bedside table, call button), then other room surfaces, and finally the bathroom. Within each area, clean high surfaces before low surfaces to prevent recontaminating already-cleaned areas.

9What does SDS stand for, and why is it important for EVS technicians?

A.Standard Disinfection Schedule — a cleaning timetable

B.Safety Data Sheet — provides hazard and safety information for chemicals

C.Sanitizer Distribution System — an automated chemical dispensing method used on carts

D.Surface Disinfection Standard — a cleaning quality benchmark

Explanation: SDS stands for Safety Data Sheet (formerly called MSDS — Material Safety Data Sheet). An SDS provides detailed information about a chemical product including its hazards, safe handling and storage procedures, first aid measures, PPE requirements, and emergency response procedures. EVS technicians must know how to locate and read SDS documents for every chemical they use, as required by OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard.

10An EVS technician notices a patient seems upset while their room is being cleaned. What is the BEST approach?

A.Ignore the patient and continue cleaning quickly

B.Politely acknowledge the patient, introduce yourself, and ask if this is a good time to clean

C.Leave the room immediately without saying anything

D.Tell the patient firmly that they have no choice because the room must be cleaned right now

Explanation: Professional communication with patients is essential for EVS technicians. The best approach is to politely acknowledge the patient, introduce yourself and your role, and ask if it is a convenient time to clean. This shows respect for the patient, builds trust, and demonstrates patient-centered care. If the patient prefers cleaning at a different time, the technician should accommodate the request when possible and coordinate with the nursing staff.

About the CHEST Exam

The CHEST credential certifies frontline healthcare environmental services technicians. The exam covers infection prevention (20%), cleaning and disinfection (20%), communication (20%), safety (15%), waste handling (10%), linen handling (10%), and floor care (5%). Requires 6+ months EVS experience in direct patient care and completion of a 24-hour training program.

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

Questions

50 questions

Time Limit

2 hours

Passing Score

Pass/fail (not publicly disclosed)

Exam / Certification Fees

$179

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: Not publicly reported. Facility-based exam proctored by T-CHEST trainers Exam sponsor website

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

Official sources

AHE/AHA: 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.

20%

Infection Prevention

Hand hygiene, PPE, transmission routes, isolation types, HAI prevention, C. diff, MRSA

20%

Cleaning and Disinfection

Cleaning chemicals, disinfectant contact time, high-touch surfaces, discharge cleaning, SDS

20%

Communication

Patient interaction, team communication, reporting, documentation, cultural sensitivity

15%

Safety

Slip/trip/fall prevention, chemical handling, fire safety, sharps safety, body mechanics

10%

Waste Handling

Regulated medical waste, biohazard bags, sharps containers, pharmaceutical waste

10%

Linen Handling

Soiled/clean linen procedures, transport, storage, isolation linen

Floor Care

Mopping techniques, wet floor signs, floor finish, dust mopping

Preparing for the CHEST Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Pass/fail (not publicly disclosed)
Exam length: 50 questions
Time limit: 2 hours
Exam / certification fees: $179 Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

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CHEST: Suggested Study Strategy

1Three domains tie at 20% each — master infection prevention (hand hygiene, PPE, isolation), cleaning protocols (contact times, high-touch surfaces), and communication skills

2Know the difference between cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing — and when each is appropriate

3Study isolation precautions: contact (C. diff, MRSA), droplet (flu), airborne (TB, measles) — know the PPE for each

4Understand proper waste segregation: red bags for regulated medical waste, sharps containers, pharmaceutical waste handling

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for CHEST?

Frontline EVS technicians with 6+ months healthcare EVS experience in direct patient care (or 1 year without direct patient care). Must complete 24-hour CHEST training. Managers/trainers are NOT eligible.

How much does CHEST cost?

$179 includes participant manual, exam, certificate, and pin. Renewal is $35 every 3 years.

How is the exam administered?

Online via PSI portal, proctored on-site by a designated T-CHEST trainer at your facility.