Free CPPS Exam Prep
Certified Professional in Patient Safety
Pass your CPPS exam without spending hundreds on expensive prep courses. Free study guides, practice questions, flashcards, and related exam resources.
Quick Facts
Buy on AmazonCPPS CBPPS Certified Professional in Patient Safety License: Complete Roadmap
Follow this path to maximize your chances of passing on the first try
Patient Safety Foundations and FrameworksYou are here
Study To Err Is Human, Crossing the Quality Chasm, the IHI Framework for Safe Reliable and Effective Care, Reason's Swiss Cheese Model, and Marx's Just Culture algorithm.
Culture and Leadership
AHRQ SOPS survey, Safety Attitudes Questionnaire, fair and just culture, disclosure of error, second victim support, transparency, and leadership WalkRounds.
Systems Thinking and Human Factors
SEIPS model, high reliability organizations, normalized deviance, human factors engineering, cognitive load, fatigue, Safety-I vs Safety-II thinking, and resilience engineering.
Risk Analysis Tools — RCA and FMEA
Root Cause Analysis (RCA and RCA squared), Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), hierarchy of actions (strong vs weak interventions), and action plan evaluation.
Measurement and Improvement
Model for Improvement, PDSA cycles, control and run charts, process/outcome/balancing measures, PSI-90, AHRQ Common Formats, and reporting to stakeholders.
Practice Exams and Review
Complete the CBPPS Self-Assessment Examination (SAE), free CPPS practice questions, and review weak domains. Focus on application and analysis items over recall.
Can You Take the CPPS Exam?
Check if you meet the basic eligibility requirements
- •Baccalaureate + 3 years healthcare experience OR Associate + 5 years healthcare experience
- •Experience must be in a healthcare setting or with a healthcare service provider
- •Patient safety practices must be integral to current or future professional responsibilities
- •CBPPS randomly audits applications to verify eligibility
- •Clinical rotations and residency programs count toward the experience requirement
- •Valid government-issued photo ID required at the test center or remote proctored session
CPPS Quick Facts
Time to Get Licensed
8-16 weeks typical
From start to license in hand
Exam Provider
PSI Services (PSI Assessment Centers or live remote online proctoring)
Retake Policy
Unsuccessful candidates must wait 30 days before retesting. Maximum 3 attempts within a 12-month period. After a 3rd failed attempt, candidates must wait 1 year before retesting. Full exam fee applies to each attempt.
Total Cost Breakdown
Free CPPS Prep That Actually Works
The official pass rate is Not publicly published by CBPPS. Our students do better.
100+ Practice Questions
More free questions than most paid courses
AI Tutor Explains Mistakes
Understand why answers are wrong, not just which ones
Updated for 2026
Content reflects latest exam changes
$0 Forever
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What You'll Study
6 chapters covering everything you need to pass
1. Patient Safety Risks & Solutions (Part A)
7 sections
Chapter 2: Systems Thinking & Design / Human Factors
7 sections
Chapter 3: Measuring & Improving Performance
7 sections
Chapter 4: Culture
5 sections
Chapter 5: Leadership
5 sections
Chapter 6: Recognizing & Preventing Specific Patient Harms
6 sections
CPPS Exam Details
Certified Professional in Patient Safety
Administered by Certification Board for Professionals in Patient Safety (CBPPS), part of IHI
Exam Content Breakdown
Based on the official Certification Board for Professionals in Patient Safety (CBPPS), part of IHI content outline
Risk identification and analysis (FMEA, walk-arounds, RCA, safety alerts), hazard reporting, evaluation of evidence-based solutions (bundles, simulation, checklists, team training, communication tools), technology risk evaluation, support for second victims, and workplace violence risks.
Systems theory application, differentiating human error from behavioral choices and system failures, normalized deviance, high reliability and resilience in design, human factors engineering (cognitive limitations, fatigue, interruptions), and SEIPS-style interactions among people, tools, tasks, environment, and organization.
Quantitative and qualitative patient safety data sources, data collection and analysis (statistical process control, run and control charts), reporting to stakeholders, Model for Improvement and PDSA cycles, process/outcome/balancing measures, project management, and facilitation.
Assessment of safety culture (AHRQ SOPS and Safety Attitudes Questionnaire), interpreting and disseminating culture survey results, raising awareness, fair and just culture principles (David Marx), transparency, disclosure of error, and fostering a collaborative safety culture that includes patients and families.
Aligning patient safety strategy with mission, advocating for resources, transparent communication, interdisciplinary problem solving, embedding accountability, promoting high reliability principles, storytelling, regulatory readiness, and engaging diverse stakeholders from boards to direct care providers.
What's Included
6 Chapters
Complete exam coverage
Practice Quizzes
With detailed explanations
Free to Start
No credit card required
Quality Exam Prep Shouldn't Cost Hundreds
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What's Next After the CPPS?
After passing the CPPS, you can pursue these career paths
CPHQ
Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (NAHQ) — complements CPPS for quality improvement leaders
CPHRM
Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management — aligns with CPPS risk management competencies
Lean Six Sigma
Lean Six Sigma Green/Black Belt certifications — common pairing with CPPS for process improvement roles
CPPS Exam FAQ
Official Certification Board for Professionals in Patient Safety (CBPPS), part of IHI Resources
Verify information with these official sources
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