Certified Hemodialysis Technician (CHT) certification is a professional credential that can increase your employment opportunities. You can obtain this credential by completing a BONENT-approved renal dialysis training program and passing the CHT exam.
The BONENT hemodialysis exam is 150 questions long. The hemodialysis certification process also requires the submission of CEU documentation and work hours.
Certified Hemodialysis Technicians in the US make an average of $40593 per year.
A high school diploma or an equivalent is required to work as a hemodialysis technician. To earn your certification in hemodialysis, finish the training course. Both community colleges and vocational institutions have these programs available. Some employers could offer on-the-job instruction leading to certification as a certified hemodialysis technician. To keep your license to operate dialysis equipment, the majority of states demand that you go through continuing education training and pass an exam every few years.
The machines that remove waste from the blood of patients with acute or end-stage renal failure are operated and maintained by a dialysis technician.
Together with a physician or registered nurse, hemodialysis technicians, also known as dialysis technicians, offer treatment for patients with permanent kidney failure (end-stage renal disease). Dialysis of the kidneys eliminates metabolic waste from the blood. This is normally performed by the kidneys, but when they fail, dialysis is a critical treatment for a patient.
Dialysis technicians can acquire a certificate or an associate’s degree in 12 to 24 months. Students may require additional time to satisfy the clinical experience pre-requisites for certification and employment.
A healthcare worker that focuses on giving patients receiving hemodialysis therapy direct attention is known as a certified clinical hemodialysis technician (CCHT). The operation and upkeep of dialysis equipment, patient monitoring during treatments, and ensuring patients’ safety and wellbeing throughout the hemodialysis process are all tasks that these professionals are trained and certified to perform. The duties of CCHTs include setting up dialysis machines, keeping track of vital signs, starting and stopping dialysis treatments, keeping track of fluid balance, and handling any emergencies or difficulties that can occur while the process is being performed. They collaborate closely with a group of medical experts, including nephrologists and nurses, to provide patients with kidney disease with high-quality care. Individuals often go through specific training programs, obtain practical experience, and pass a certification exam that assesses their knowledge and abilities in hemodialysis patient care in order to become certified clinical hemodialysis technicians.
In California, the average annual compensation for a dialysis technician is $41,000. In California, dialysis technician wages can range from $21,500 to $74,000, depending on criteria such as abilities, experience, employer, bonuses, tips, and more.
The average annual salary for a Hemodialysis Biomedical Technician in the United States is $57,362 as of May 30, 2026.
Certified Dialysis Technicians earn $26 per hour on average.
A dialysis technician in Florida has an average yearly pay of $36,500.
A dialysis technician in Georgia has an average yearly pay of $35,500. In Georgia, compensation for dialysis technicians can range from $18,000 to $60,000, depending on a number of variables like experience, company, bonuses, and tips.
A complete program including academic learning, practical skill development, and supervised clinical practice is required to become a cannulation hemodialysis technician. The study of the anatomy and physiology of the vascular system, the basics of dialysis, and infection control procedures are frequently covered in-depth at the beginning of the training process. The use of needles, the identification of an appropriate site, and sterile procedures are all part of the practical training that follows this theoretical basis in cannulation techniques. Before moving on to providing real patient treatment while under strict observation, hands-on practice may be carried out on models or virtual arms first. Trainees also learn how to recognize and address issues like bleeding or infiltration. The importance of patient safety, effective communication, and adherence to legal requirements is emphasized throughout the course. Regular evaluations, tests, and feedback from knowledgeable teachers guarantee the trainee’s development and proficiency. To stay up to date with developments in hemodialysis technology and best practices in cannulation techniques, it’s also critical to pursue chances for ongoing professional development.
The choice of whether a hemodialysis technician should have liability insurance depends on a number of variables, including the rules and regulations of their company, the particular duties of their position, and the legal system in which they work. In the case of a malpractice claim or an occurrence that results in patient injury, liability insurance might offer financial protection. In order to protect themselves against potential legal and financial concerns, it is generally advised that healthcare professionals, including hemodialysis technicians, think about acquiring liability insurance. The final choice should, however, be determined by the individual’s evaluation of their needs, the level of risk involved with their job, and any relevant legal or professional requirements. Making a knowledgeable choice about liability insurance can be aided by speaking with an insurance expert or requesting advice from pertinent professional organizations.
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The CHT has 150 questions and takes about 3 hours[1] (Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology, verified Oct 25, 2026).
Numbers in brackets link to the official sources listed under Sources & last verified. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
| Item | Detail | Source · Verified |
|---|---|---|
| Number of questions | 150 multiple-choice questions[1] | Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Time limit | 3 hours[1] | Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Passing score | Scaled score of 70[2] | Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Exam fee (CBT) | $255 (CBT)[3] | Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Exam fee (Paper) | $235 USA / $260 international (paper)[3] | Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Retake policy | Max 3 attempts in 12 months[4] | Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Validity | 4 years[2] | Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Renewal | 40 contact hours or one-time waiver[5] | Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Delivery | Paper-and-pencil (PPE) or computer-based (CBT)[6] | Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Eligibility | 6 months nephrology patient care + high school diploma[3] | Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Score release | CBT: printout at session end; paper: 3–4 weeks[7] | Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Late registration deadline (Paper) | Late applications not accepted[8] | Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Registration deadline (CBT) | No deadline[8] | Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Registration deadline (Paper) | 45 days before exam (60 international)[8] | Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology · Oct 25, 2026 |
| Testing window (CBT) | Within 6 months of confirmation letter[9] | Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology · Oct 25, 2026 |
According to Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology, “You must obtain a 70 scaled score to pass the exam.”[2]
The content areas below are copied from the official CHT content outline published by Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology, with the share of the exam each area carries. The right-hand column shows which of our practice sets covers it.
| Official content area | Weight | Practice on this site |
|---|---|---|
| Education and Professional Development[1] | 10% | Mixed practice tests above We have no dedicated set for this area, so use the official outline to review professional responsibilities, patient teaching and continuing education requirements. |
| Infection Control[1] | 18% | CHT Certified Hemodialysis Technologist/Te... Practise hand hygiene, standard precautions, station cleaning and disinfection, and what to do after an exposure or a suspected contamination. |
| Machine Technology[1] | 12% | CHT Certified Hemodialysis Technologist/Te... Practise machine setup and priming, alarm causes and responses, and the logic of troubleshooting pressure, flow and conductivity problems. |
| Patient Care[1] | 45% | CHT Certified Hemodialysis Technologist/Te... This is the largest area, so spend the most time recognising intradialytic complications, responding to emergencies, and linking adequacy and access questions to patient safety. |
| Water Treatment[1] | 15% | CHT Certified Hemodialysis Technologist/Te... Practise the order and purpose of each treatment component, from softener to reverse osmosis, and how water quality is tested and monitored. |
Prepare for the Certified Hemodialysis Technologist/Technician Exam exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.
Question: When priming a dialyzer with saline, the correct direction of flow through the blood compartment is:
Answer: A. Arterial port to venous port (bottom to top)
Explanation:
The correct answer is arterial port to venous port, bottom to top. Priming pushes saline through the blood compartment in the same direction blood will travel during treatment, and the upward flow lets air rise and leave through the outlet instead of getting trapped in the fibers.
Venous to arterial, top to bottom, is wrong because it runs against the blood path and tends to leave air pockets behind. Saying either direction is acceptable is wrong because the direction affects how well air is cleared. Flushing from both ports at once is wrong because it creates opposing flows, so air has no clear route out.
The rule to remember: prime in the direction of blood flow, and let air rise toward the exit so it never reaches the patient.
Question: URR (urea reduction ratio) is calculated as:
Answer: A. (Pre-BUN − Post-BUN) ÷ Pre-BUN × 100
Explanation:
The correct formula is pre-BUN minus post-BUN, divided by pre-BUN, times 100. URR is the percentage of urea removed during a session, so it compares the drop in BUN with the starting level.
Post-BUN divided by pre-BUN times 100 gives the percentage of urea that remains, which is the opposite of what URR measures. Pre-BUN divided by post-BUN times 100 is an inverted ratio that would be greater than 100 and has no clinical meaning. The last option subtracts in the wrong direction and divides by the wrong value, so it would give a negative result for a working treatment.
The rule to remember: a reduction ratio is always the amount removed divided by the starting amount.
Question: What is the purpose of the softener in a dialysis water treatment system?
Answer: C. Removes calcium and magnesium ions
Explanation:
The correct answer is that the softener removes calcium and magnesium ions. It uses ion exchange, swapping those hardness ions for sodium, which protects the reverse osmosis membrane from scale and fouling downstream.
Removing bacteria is wrong because the softener is not a disinfection step, and resin beds can even harbor bacteria if they are not maintained. Removing chlorine is wrong because that job belongs to carbon filtration, which is placed to protect the system and the patient from chloramine and chlorine. Removing endotoxins is wrong because endotoxin control depends on reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration and good disinfection practice.
The rule to remember: tie each water treatment component to the one contaminant it is there to remove.
Start with the official BONENT outline for the CHT exam and note which content areas you feel least sure about. Patient Care carries the largest share of the exam, so it deserves the most of your time, but do not skip the smaller areas.
Take one practice set cold, before you review anything, and write down every question you missed or guessed. For each miss, read the explanation, then say aloud why each wrong option is wrong. This is more useful than rereading notes, because the real exam asks you to choose between plausible answers.
Next, work through the sets by topic: water treatment, equipment and troubleshooting, infection control, complications and emergencies, adequacy, and vascular access. After each set, go back to your facility's procedures and the official reference material for the topics you missed. Practise the calculations by hand, such as URR, until the formulas feel automatic.
In the last stretch, run the general question sets under timed conditions. Pace yourself so you could finish within the 3 hour limit. Treat our questions as practice for how you reason, not as a preview of real exam items.
How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.