Free Practice Questions for EDAC

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Exam Review

Key Facts: EDAC Exam

110

Exam Questions

100 scored + 10 unscored

2 hrs

Time Limit

Multiple-choice format

650

Passing Score

On a 200-800 scale

$395

First-Time Fee

$255 for retakes

Content Domains

EBD, Research, Predesign, Design, Construction

6 CEUs

Renewal Requirement

Every 2 years

The EDAC exam has 110 multiple-choice questions (100 scored, 10 unscored pretest items) with a 2-hour time limit. The passing score is 650 on a 200-800 scale. The exam covers five content domains: Evidence-Based Design for Healthcare, Research, Predesign, Design, and Construction & Occupancy. There are no prerequisites. The exam fee is $395 for first-time candidates and $255 for retakes. Certification requires 6 CEU hours in EBD every two years for renewal.

Sample EDAC Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the EDAC exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 155+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What is the definition of evidence-based design (EBD) as defined by The Center for Health Design?

A.The process of designing healthcare facilities based on architect preferences

B.The process of basing decisions about the built environment on credible research to achieve the best possible outcomes

C.The use of building codes and regulations to guide all design decisions

D.The practice of copying successful hospital designs from other institutions

Explanation: The Center for Health Design defines evidence-based design (EBD) as the process of basing decisions about the built environment on credible research to achieve the best possible outcomes. This definition emphasizes using credible research rather than personal preferences, building codes alone, or copying other designs. EBD is a systematic, evidence-driven approach to improving healthcare environments.

2Which of the following is the FIRST step in the eight-step evidence-based design process?

A.Find sources for relevant evidence

B.Develop a hypothesis

C.Define evidence-based goals and objectives

D.Collect baseline performance measures

Explanation: The first step of the eight-step EBD process is to define evidence-based goals and objectives. This establishes what the project aims to achieve before searching for evidence or developing hypotheses. The full eight-step process is: (1) Define goals, (2) Find evidence, (3) Critically interpret evidence, (4) Create design concepts, (5) Develop hypothesis, (6) Collect baseline measures, (7) Monitor implementation, (8) Measure post-occupancy results.

3A healthcare facility is considering a renovation project. According to EBD principles, who are the four major stakeholder groups in a healthcare facility?

A.Architects, contractors, engineers, and interior designers

B.Patients/families, staff, healthcare providers, and the community/organization

C.Government regulators, insurance companies, suppliers, and investors

D.Board members, physicians, nurses, and maintenance staff

Explanation: The four major stakeholder groups in a healthcare facility are: patients and families (healing environment), staff (work environment), healthcare providers (business environment), and the community/organization (cultural environment). EBD requires meaningful collaboration with all stakeholder groups to ensure the facility design meets diverse needs and achieves the best outcomes for each group.

4Which of the following clinical outcomes has research shown to be directly affected by the physical design of healthcare environments?

A.Adverse reactions to prescribed drugs

B.Hospital-acquired infections

C.Genetic predisposition to disease

D.Effectiveness of chemotherapy treatments

Explanation: Research has shown that hospital-acquired infections can be directly affected by the physical design of healthcare environments. Design features such as single-patient rooms, hand-washing station placement, surface material selection, air filtration systems, and proper ventilation have been shown to reduce infection rates. Adverse drug reactions, genetic predispositions, and chemotherapy effectiveness are primarily clinical factors not directly influenced by facility design.

5According to EBD research, what is the primary benefit of single-patient rooms compared to multi-bed rooms?

A.Lower construction costs per square foot

B.Reduced hospital-acquired infections and improved patient privacy

C.Easier maintenance and cleaning schedules

D.Better utilization of nursing staff time

Explanation: Research consistently shows that single-patient rooms reduce hospital-acquired infections through decreased airborne pathogen transmission and cross-contamination between patients. Single rooms also improve patient privacy, reduce noise disturbances, improve sleep quality, and enable better family involvement in care. While they may cost more to build, the reduction in infections and shorter lengths of stay can offset the construction investment.

6What does the term 'healing environment' refer to in the context of evidence-based design?

A.A sterile operating room designed for surgical procedures

B.A physical setting designed to support and facilitate the healing process and well-being of patients

C.Any hospital that has achieved LEED certification

D.A space specifically designated for alternative medicine therapies

Explanation: A healing environment is a physical setting intentionally designed to support and facilitate the healing process and well-being of patients, families, and staff. It incorporates elements such as natural light, nature views, reduced noise, appropriate wayfinding, and spaces for family involvement. The concept extends beyond sterility or certification status to encompass how the entire built environment affects health outcomes.

7Which of the following is NOT one of the major trends facing healthcare that impacts facility design?

A.Public focus on quality and safety

B.Aging population and caregiver shortages

C.Declining use of health information technology

D.Emergency room saturation and disaster preparedness

Explanation: The major trends facing healthcare include: public focus on quality and safety, reimbursement challenges, aging population and caregiver shortages, health information technology (increasing, not declining), genomics and technology, emergency room saturation and disaster preparedness, and sustainable healthcare. Health information technology use is increasing, not declining, and this trend significantly impacts how healthcare facilities are designed.

8In the context of evidence-based design, what is a 'hypothesis'?

A.A proven fact about how design affects patient outcomes

B.A testable prediction about the expected relationship between a design decision and an outcome

C.A final report documenting the results of a design project

D.A building code requirement that must be met during construction

Explanation: In EBD, a hypothesis is a testable prediction about the expected relationship between a specific design decision and a measurable outcome. For example: 'Installing decentralized nursing stations will reduce nurse walking distance by 20% and improve response times.' Hypotheses are developed in step 5 of the eight-step EBD process, after goals are defined and evidence is gathered and interpreted.

9Which step of the EBD process involves evaluating whether design solutions achieved their intended outcomes after the facility is in use?

A.Step 4: Create and innovate evidence-based design concepts

B.Step 6: Collect baseline performance measures

C.Step 7: Monitor implementation of design and construction

D.Step 8: Measure post-occupancy performance results

Explanation: Step 8 — Measure post-occupancy performance results — involves evaluating whether design solutions achieved their intended outcomes after the facility is occupied and in use. This step compares post-occupancy data against baseline measures collected in Step 6 to determine if the design hypotheses were supported. This evaluation is critical for building the evidence base and sharing findings with the industry.

10What is the primary purpose of collecting baseline performance measures in the EBD process?

A.To satisfy regulatory inspection requirements

B.To establish a reference point against which post-occupancy outcomes can be compared

C.To determine the total construction budget for the project

D.To create marketing materials about the facility

Explanation: Collecting baseline performance measures (Step 6 of the EBD process) establishes a reference point for comparison with post-occupancy data. Without baseline measures, it is impossible to determine whether design changes led to improvements. Baseline data might include infection rates, patient fall rates, staff walking distances, noise levels, patient satisfaction scores, or other metrics aligned with project goals.

About the EDAC Exam

The EDAC credential validates that professionals understand how to apply an evidence-based design process to the planning, design, and construction of healthcare environments to achieve measurable improvements in patient outcomes, staff efficiency, and organizational performance.

Exam sponsor: The Center for Health Design (CHD). 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

650 on a 200-800 scale

Exam / Certification Fees

$395 (first attempt)

Exam sponsor website

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

Official sources

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%

Evidence-Based Design for Healthcare

EBD definition, healthcare delivery system, industry trends, facility stakeholders, healing environments, and the eight-step EBD process

20%

Research

Finding credible evidence, critically interpreting research, study types, research methodology, literature reviews, and levels of evidence

20%

Predesign

Defining evidence-based goals, developing hypotheses, collecting baseline measures, stakeholder engagement, and programming

20%

Design

Applying evidence to design decisions for patient safety, infection control, noise reduction, lighting, wayfinding, nature views, and staff workflow

20%

Construction and Occupancy

Monitoring implementation, post-occupancy evaluation, measuring performance outcomes, and reporting results to the industry

Preparing for the EDAC Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 650 on a 200-800 scale
Exam length: 110 questions
Time limit: 2 hours
Exam / certification fees: $395 (first attempt) Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

Work through all 155 available questions
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EDAC: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master the eight-step EBD process — it is the framework for the entire exam and integrated across all five content domains

2Study all three EDAC study guide volumes thoroughly — Volume 1 covers healthcare context, Volume 2 covers research methods, and Volume 3 covers EBD in practice

3Focus on understanding the process of finding and using evidence, not memorizing specific research findings — the exam tests process knowledge

4Practice identifying credible research sources and understanding different levels of evidence and study types

5Learn how to develop hypotheses and collect baseline performance measures — these predesign skills are heavily tested

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the EDAC certification?

EDAC (Evidence-Based Design Accreditation and Certification) is a credential from The Center for Health Design (CHD) awarded to professionals who demonstrate understanding of how to apply an evidence-based design process to healthcare environments. The program teaches how to find, use, and create relevant research to improve healthcare facility design, and how to measure and report results.

What is the EDAC exam format and passing score?

The EDAC exam consists of 110 multiple-choice questions, of which 100 are scored and 10 are unscored pretest items. You have 2 hours to complete the exam. The passing score is 650 on a scale of 200-800. Questions cover five content domains: Evidence-Based Design for Healthcare, Research, Predesign, Design, and Construction & Occupancy.

How much does the EDAC exam cost?

The first-time exam fee is $395. If you need to retake the exam, the fee is $255 for a second or third attempt. There is an additional $100 international testing fee for candidates outside the United States. Study guides are purchased separately from the Facility Guidelines Institute (FGI) website.

Are there prerequisites for the EDAC exam?

There are no education or experience prerequisites to sit for the EDAC exam. Anyone can register and take the exam. However, CHD recommends studying all three volumes of the EDAC study guide series and reviewing the exam content outline before taking the exam. The program is designed for architects, designers, healthcare executives, facilities managers, clinicians, and students.

How do I maintain my EDAC certification?

To maintain your EDAC certification, you must complete 6 hours of approved continuing education units (CEUs) in evidence-based design every two years. CEUs can be earned through conferences, webinars, and other approved educational activities. Renewal notices are sent four months and one month prior to your renewal date.