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Free CHFN Exam Prep

Certified Heart Failure Nurse (CHFN)

Prepare for the CHFN exam without spending hundreds on expensive prep courses. Free study guides, practice questions, flashcards, and related exam resources.

Your Study Path

CHFN AAHFN CHFN Certified Heart Failure Nurse License: Complete Roadmap

Follow this path to organize your licensing and exam preparation

1

Phase 1You are here

Master HF classification (HFrEF/HFpEF/HFmrEF), ACC/AHA staging, NYHA classes, and clinical assessment.

25
hours
2

Phase 2

Deep-dive GDMT pharmacology: four pillars, diuretic strategy, contraindicated drugs, and medication monitoring.

35
hours
3

Phase 3

ADHF management, hemodynamics, advanced HF (LVAD, transplant, inotropes), device therapy indications.

30
hours
4

Phase 4

Patient education, self-care, comorbidities, transitions of care, palliative care, and professional standards.

20
hours
5

Phase 5

Complete timed 110-item simulations and targeted blueprint domain remediation.

15
hours
Estimated total study time
125 hours
That's about 13 weeks at 10 hours/week

Can You Take the CHFN Exam?

Check if you meet the basic eligibility requirements

Age
Education
Current active RN license in the U.S. or equivalent
Experience
Full-time RN practice ≥ 2 years (~4,160 hours); ≥ 1,200 HF clinical hours in last 2 years
Additional Requirements
  • Apply during a registration window; exam taken in the corresponding testing window
  • Computer-based testing at AMP-authorized centers or remote proctored exam
  • Certification valid 3 years; recertification via CE (Option 1) or re-examination (Option 2)

CHFN Quick Facts

Time to Get Licensed

8–14 weeks for most candidates

From start to license in hand

Exam Provider

AMP (Assessment & Measurement Professionals)

Remote Testing Available
Schedule Your Exam

Retake Policy

Candidate may retake the exam in the next quarterly testing window for $100 (same year) or with new application in a future window.

Total Cost Breakdown

Exam Fee$350 AAHFN member / $450 non-member
Total Estimated Cost$350–$450 per attempt
Why Choose Us

Free CHFN Prep Tools

Reported exam pass rate: Pass rate not publicly reported by AAHFN; exam difficulty is moderate to challenging based on candidate reports.. These figures describe exam candidates, not OpenExamPrep user outcomes. Check the exam sponsor’s website for published statistics.

100 Practice Questions

HFrEF/HFpEF/HFmrEF classification, GDMT pharmacology, ADHF management, device therapy, and self-care education scenarios covering topics from the official AAHFN blueprint.

AI-Powered Learning

Adaptive support for GDMT titration decisions, diuretic strategy, cardiorenal tradeoffs, and palliative care conversations.

2026 Updated

Review the 2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA HF guidelines and the 2024 AAHFN content outline.

Free Access

Start CHFN prep free before your application window opens.

Compare:
Kaplan $300+Achievable $200+OpenExamPrep $0

What You'll Study

12 chapters covering the exam topics in this guide

CHFN Exam Details

Certified Heart Failure Nurse (CHFN)

Administered by American Association of Heart Failure Nurses Certification Board (AAHFN-CB)

Official Source
Minimum passing score set by Angoff method (exact scaled score not published)
Passing Score
110
Questions
2
Hours
$350 AAHFN member / $450 non-member (computer-based testing)
Exam Fee
Study time: 80–120 hours
Prerequisites: Current active RN license; ≥ 2 years full-time RN practice (~4,160 hours); ≥ 1,200 HF clinical hours in last 2 years; 30 hours accredited CE (≥ 15 hours HF-specific) within last 2 years.
Valid for: 3 years

Exam Content Breakdown

Based on the official American Association of Heart Failure Nurses Certification Board (AAHFN-CB) content outline

Implementation30%

Pharmacologic GDMT (ARNI, beta-blockers, MRA, SGLT2 inhibitors, diuretics, ivabradine, hydralazine-ISDN) and non-pharmacologic strategies including patient education, self-care, device screening, and referrals.

Assessment27%

Patient history review, signs/symptoms, physical exam (fluid and perfusion status), lab results (BNP, renal function, electrolytes), cardiac/pulmonary diagnostics, and comorbidity identification.

Evaluation20%

Evaluating pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapy effectiveness across care transitions, NYHA/ACC-AHA stage changes, palliative goals, and patient teaching comprehension.

Planning15%

Determining clinical status (HFrEF/HFpEF/HFmrEF, NYHA class, ACC/AHA stage), integrating assessment findings into individualized care plans, and shared decision-making.

Professional Standards8%

Certification role, legal and ethical principles (HIPAA, autonomy, beneficence), quality improvement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and evidence-based guideline application.

What's Included

12 Chapters

Complete exam coverage

Practice Quizzes

With detailed explanations

Free to Start

No credit card required

Ran Chen - AI Engineer, CFP®
CFP®
Why It's Free

Quality Exam Prep Shouldn't Cost Hundreds

I'm Ran Chen, an engineer with 20+ years of coding experience. I passed my Life Insurance license, EA exam, SIE, Series 6, 63, 65, and finally the CFP® exam.

Through all these exams, one thing became clear: exam prep is expensive. But with AI, we can change that. Quality preparation can now be free for everyone.

About Ran Chen

What's Next After the CHFN?

After passing the CHFN, you can pursue these career paths

CCRN

Expand critical care competencies applicable to ADHF and cardiogenic shock management.

CHPN

Build palliative care skills for advanced HF symptom management and end-of-life conversations.

Advanced HF Nurse Practitioner / ACNP

Advance to independent practice managing complex HF patients including device and transplant candidates.

Coming Soon

CHFN Exam FAQ

Official American Association of Heart Failure Nurses Certification Board (AAHFN-CB) Resources

Verify information with these official sources

More Free Resources

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Ready to Start Your Free CHFN Prep?

Review the study guide, practice key concepts, and use the free tools at your own pace.