CHAA Practice Test
Updated for October 2026What changed for the CHAA exam in 2026
- Exam fee is $155 for both NAHAM members and non-members (retake $60, date-change fee $50), per the Candidate Guide updated October 2023 and still the published rate for 2026. (source)
- Format: 115 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours, computer-based, developed and administered with Prometric. (source)
- Passing standard: scaled score of 600; NAHAM equates scores across exam forms so the standard is the same regardless of which form you receive. (source)
- 2026 testing windows: January, April, July and October (full month each). Apply Sep 1–Nov 30 for January 2027, Dec 1–Feb 28 for April, Mar 1–May 31 for July, Jun 1–Aug 31 for October — the October 2026 application window closed August 31, 2026. (source)
- Eligibility documentation updated May 30, 2025: you now document ONE professional-experience option (1 year in healthcare/finance OR an accredited 2- or 4-year healthcare program) plus ONE professional-development option (supervisor letter of support OR 10 hours of PD in the last 12 months); 10% of applications are audited. (source)
- Current exam version launched October 1, 2024, replacing the 2017 exam; the content outline was updated December 2023 and the study guide is delivered free with a paid application. (source)
- Three proctoring options: in-person at your hospital with an approved proctor, in-person at a Prometric test center, or remote via Prometric ProProctor. (source)
- Recertification every 2 years: 30 contact hours plus 1,500 hours worked in a patient-access role; all CHAAs recertify in April and pay a renewal fee (Associate Members recertify free). (source)
Last verified: September 16, 2026 against NAHAM.
The CHAA test is designed for professionals with at least 90 days of experience in healthcare access. Mastering the core concepts of scheduling, registration, and patient finance is essential for achieving a high score and advancing your career.
Candidates can also sharpen their skills with our CHAA practice test 2026, which includes hundreds of practice questions in the exact format and difficulty of the real exam. Try our NCLEX practice test. Try our CCM practice test.
Free CHAA - Certified Healthcare Access Associate Study Tools
Interactive CHAA - Certified Healthcare Access Associate resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:
- CHAA - Certified Healthcare Access Associate flashcards — review key terms and concepts card by card
- CHAA - Certified Healthcare Access Associate study guide — topic-by-topic overview of what the exam covers
- CHAA - Certified Healthcare Access Associate cheat sheet — one-page printable summary for last-minute review
CHAA Practice Test Questions
Prepare for the CHAA - Certified Healthcare Access Associate exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
CHAA Advance Directives and Patient Rights
CHAA Exam Questions covering Advance Directives and Patient Rights. Master CHAA Test concepts for certification prep.
CHAA Denial Management and Claims Processing
Free CHAA Practice Test featuring CHAA Denial Management and Claims Processing. Improve your CHAA Exam score with mock test prep.
CHAA Patient Financial Counseling and Coll...
CHAA Mock Exam on CHAA Patient Financial Counseling and Collections. CHAA Study Guide questions to pass on your first try.
CHAA Customer Service and Communication
CHAA Test Prep for Customer Service and Communication. Practice CHAA Quiz questions and boost your score.
CHAA Financial Processes
CHAA Questions and Answers on Financial Processes. Free CHAA practice for exam readiness.
CHAA Healthcare Access Basics
CHAA Mock Test covering Healthcare Access Basics. Online CHAA Test practice with instant feedback.
CHAA Healthcare Information Systems and Te...
Free CHAA Quiz on Healthcare Information Systems and Technology. CHAA Exam prep questions with detailed explanations.
CHAA HIPAA Privacy and Security
CHAA Practice Questions for HIPAA Privacy and Security. Build confidence for your CHAA certification exam.
CHAA Insurance Verification and Eligibility
CHAA Test Online for Insurance Verification and Eligibility. Free practice with instant results and feedback.
CHAA Interdepartmental Collaboration and C...
CHAA Study Material on Interdepartmental Collaboration and Communication. Prepare effectively with real exam-style questions.
CHAA KPIs and Quality Assurance
Free CHAA Test covering KPIs and Quality Assurance. Practice and track your CHAA exam readiness.
CHAA Legal and Regulatory Compliance
CHAA Exam Questions covering Legal and Regulatory Compliance. Master CHAA Test concepts for certification prep.
CHAA Medical Terminology for Patient Access
Free CHAA Practice Test featuring Medical Terminology for Patient Access. Improve your CHAA Exam score with mock test prep.
CHAA Patient Access Services
CHAA Mock Exam on Patient Access Services. CHAA Study Guide questions to pass on your first try.
CHAA Patient Identification & Identity Theft
CHAA Test Prep for Patient Identification & Identity Theft. Practice CHAA Quiz questions and boost your score.
CHAA Patient Safety and Emergency Prepared...
CHAA Questions and Answers on Patient Safety and Emergency Preparedness. Free CHAA practice for exam readiness.
CHAA Payer Types and Coordination of Benef...
CHAA Mock Test covering Payer Types and Coordination of Benefits (COB). Online CHAA Test practice with instant feedback.
CHAA Pre-Authorization and Referrals Manag...
Free CHAA Quiz on Pre-Authorization and Referrals Management. CHAA Exam prep questions with detailed explanations.
CHAA Test Flashcards
Quick review of essential terms for the CHAA certification test.
🏥What is EMTALA?
The Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act requires hospitals to stabilize patients regardless of their ability to pay.
START CHAA PRACTICE TEST📋What is pre-registration?
The process of collecting patient demographic and insurance information before they arrive for service to expedite the visit.
START PATIENT ACCESS QUIZ🔐What is HIPAA?
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which protects the privacy and security of patient health information.
START COMPLIANCE QUIZ💰What is a co-payment?
A fixed amount a patient pays for a covered health care service after they've paid their deductible.
START FINANCIAL QUIZ🆔What is the MPI?
The Master Patient Index is an electronic database that holds information on every patient registered at a healthcare organization.
START CHAA EXAM QUIZ✅What is ABN?
Advance Beneficiary Notice is a waiver of liability that providers must give Medicare patients for services not covered.
START REVENUE CYCLE QUIZCHAA Certification Study Guide
Use this interactive study guide to understand the key components of the CHAA certification practice test. Review basics, exam format, registration steps, and scoring to prepare effectively.
- Topics: Patient identification, wayfinding, obtaining signatures, bedside registration.
- Questions: Approx. 30 questions on arrival procedures.
- Topics: Patient privacy, fraud and abuse, Medicare compliance.
- Questions: Approx. 15 questions on legal standards.
CHAA Score Calculator
Total Scored Questions
115
81 out of 115 correct
70%
Required to Pass: ~70% (Estimated)
How to Become a Certified Healthcare Access Associate
Follow these steps to earn your certification and pass the CHAA certification test. Try our PACS practice test. Try our CCRC practice test.
- Verify Eligibility - Document one year in the healthcare or finance industry (or an accredited 2- or 4-year healthcare program) plus a supervisor letter of support or 10 hours of professional development in the last 12 months.
- Create NAHAM Account - Visit the NAHAM website and set up your candidate profile.
- Submit Application - Complete the CHAA exam application and obtain supervisor verification of your experience.
- Pay Exam Fee - Submit the $155 payment (same fee for members and non-members).
- Schedule Exam - Choose a testing window and location (or arrange for proctoring).
- Study with CHAA Practice Test Online - Use practice questions to prepare for the content domains.
- Take the Exam - Bring valid ID to your testing location and complete the 2-hour exam.
Expect to invest $155 for the exam fee (members and non-members pay the same), plus any study materials, to obtain your CHAA certification, depending on your membership status and study materials used.
CHAA Career Opportunities
Explore the diverse roles available to Certified Healthcare Access Associates.
Admissions Clerk
Manage patient check-ins, verify insurance, and ensure accurate data entry at hospital front desks.
Financial Counselor
Assist patients with payment plans, explain insurance benefits, and manage collections.
Registration Specialist
Focus on pre-registration processes, authorization requirements, and scheduling complex appointments.
Patient
Access SupervisorLead a team of registrars, ensuring compliance with CHAA standards and optimizing workflow.
ER Registrar
Work in fast-paced emergency departments handling bedside registration and EMTALA compliance.
CHAA Test Day Checklist
- ✓Valid Govt ID
- ✓Exam Confirmation
- ✓Proctor Info
- ✓Stable Internet (if remote)
- ✓Quiet Environment
- ✓No Study Materials
- ✓Arrive 15 Mins Early
- ✓Hydrate & Rest
Ready to Pass the CHAA Exam?
Join thousands of healthcare access professionals who have used our free practice questions to achieve certification success. Start studying today!
CHAA Renewal Requirements
Frequency Every
2 Years
Contact Hours
30 Hours
Renewal Fee
$50 - $95
Keep track of your contact hours immediately after passing. You need 30 hours biennially, and at least 1500 hours of work experience during the renewal cycle.
- +Validates your knowledge and skills objectively
- +Increases job market competitiveness
- +Provides structured learning goals
- +Networking opportunities with other certified professionals
- −Study materials can be expensive
- −Exam anxiety can affect performance
- −Requires dedicated preparation time
- −Retake fees apply if you don't pass
Pros and Cons at a Glance
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Validates your knowledge and skills objectively | Study materials can be expensive |
| Increases job market competitiveness | Exam anxiety can affect performance |
| Provides structured learning goals | Requires dedicated preparation time |
| Networking opportunities with other certified professionals | Retake fees apply if you don't pass |
Sample CHAA - Certified Healthcare Access Associate Practice Questions
Try these questions from our free CHAA - Certified Healthcare Access Associate practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
A patient's insurance card shows an effective date of 08/01/2026 but today is 07/23/2026. What should the access associate do?
- A. Register the patient and bill the insurer anyway
- B. Inform the patient their coverage has not yet begun and discuss payment options
- C. Contact the employer to backdate the policy
- D. Assume the date is a misprint and proceed normally
Answer: B. Inform the patient their coverage has not yet begun and discuss payment options
Coverage cannot be billed before the effective date. The associate must inform the patient their policy is not yet active and explore alternatives such as self-pay, financial assistance, or rescheduling.
While registering a patient who is coughing frequently, the Healthcare Access Associate should adhere to which infection control practice?
- A. Airborne Precautions
- B. Droplet Precautions
- C. Contact Precautions
- D. Standard Precautions
Answer: D. Standard Precautions
Standard Precautions are a set of infection control practices used to prevent transmission of diseases that can be acquired by contact with blood, body fluids, non-intact skin, and mucous membranes. This includes using hand hygiene and, if necessary, personal protective equipment (PPE) like masks. It assumes all patients are potentially infectious.
What is the primary role of a Certified Healthcare Access Associate (CHAA)?
- A. Providing direct patient clinical care
- B. Managing the administrative processes of patient registration, insurance verification, and revenue cycle functions
- C. Performing medical coding and billing exclusively
- D. Supervising clinical nursing staff
Answer: B. Managing the administrative processes of patient registration, insurance verification, and revenue cycle functions
The CHAA role centers on administrative functions that facilitate patient access to healthcare services, including registration, verification, and financial clearance.
What is the appropriate action when a healthcare access associate is unable to confirm a patient's insurance eligibility prior to service?
- A. Refuse service until the insurance company can be reached during business hours
- B. Proceed with service, assuming the coverage listed on the card is active
- C. Document the failed verification attempts, inform the patient of potential financial responsibility, and consider collecting a deposit
- D. Submit the claim anyway and flag it for manual review after the appointment
Answer: C. Document the failed verification attempts, inform the patient of potential financial responsibility, and consider collecting a deposit
When eligibility cannot be confirmed, staff should document all verification attempts, clearly communicate the uncertainty of coverage to the patient, and collect a good-faith deposit or establish a payment arrangement. This protects both the patient and the organization from unexpected financial liability.
Take the full CHAA - Certified Healthcare Access Associate practice test
CHAA Questions and Answers
Official Resources
- NAHAM CHAA Exam & Study Guide — NAHAM's official announcement of the current CHAA exam (launched October 1, 2024) and the free study guide included with a paid application.
- NAHAM CHAA Candidate Guide (PDF) — the official candidate guide covering eligibility, the $155 exam fee, the 115-question / 2-hour format, application windows and testing policies.
- Prometric NAHAM Testing Page — the official test-delivery vendor's page for scheduling your CHAA exam at a test center or via ProProctor remote testing.
About the Author
Registered Nurse & Healthcare Educator
Johns Hopkins University School of NursingDr. Sarah Mitchell is a board-certified registered nurse with over 15 years of clinical and academic experience. She completed her PhD in Nursing Science at Johns Hopkins University and has taught NCLEX preparation and clinical skills courses for nursing students across the United States. Her research focuses on evidence-based exam preparation strategies for healthcare certification candidates.
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