CHL Practice Test
Updated October 2026Facts verified Oct 18, 2026 against Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) Certification Department
- The Certified Healthcare Leader (CHL) exam has 150 multiple-choice questions, of which 125 are scored and 25 are unscored pretest questions. (Healthcare Sterile Processing Association)
- Candidates have 3 hours to complete the CHL exam. (Healthcare Sterile Processing Association)
- The initial CHL certification exam costs $140. (Healthcare Sterile Processing Association)
- A CHL retake exam costs $140. (Healthcare Sterile Processing Association)
- CHL certification must be renewed annually through continuing education, with an annual $50 renewal fee. (Healthcare Sterile Processing Association)
- The CHL exam is computer-based and taken in person at a Prometric testing facility, in English only. (Healthcare Sterile Processing Association)
- For CHL applicants from October 2026, a current CRCST is required plus one of: 2,080 hours of Sterile Processing experience, 2,080 hours in a leadership role, or an associate degree or higher. (Healthcare Sterile Processing Association)
- Before the October 2026 update, CHL applicants needed only a current, full CRCST certification. (Healthcare Sterile Processing Association)
- Regular CHL candidates receive their results immediately at the testing center; pilot participants were notified of pass/fail by the end of November 2026. (Healthcare Sterile Processing Association)
Facts verified Oct 18, 2026 against Healthcare Sterile Processing Association. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
CHL Exam at a Glance
| Item | Detail | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Number of questions | 150 multiple-choice questions (125 scored + 25 pretest) | Healthcare Sterile Processing Association |
| Time limit | 3 hours | Healthcare Sterile Processing Association |
| Exam fee | $140 | Healthcare Sterile Processing Association |
| Retake fee | $140 | Healthcare Sterile Processing Association |
| Renewal | Annual recertification; $50 renewal fee | Healthcare Sterile Processing Association |
| Delivery | Computer-based at a Prometric testing center; English only | Healthcare Sterile Processing Association |
| Eligibility (from October 2026) | Current CRCST plus 2,080 h SP experience, 2,080 h leadership, or associate degree+ | Healthcare Sterile Processing Association |
| Eligibility (previous requirement) | Current, full CRCST; no experience hours | Healthcare Sterile Processing Association |
| Score release | Immediately at the testing center (pilot: late Nov 2026) | Healthcare Sterile Processing Association |
| Registration deadline (120-day testing window) | 120 days after application approval | Healthcare Sterile Processing Association |
Facts verified Oct 18, 2026 against Healthcare Sterile Processing Association. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
The Certified Healthcare Leader (CHL) designation is a key step for professionals aiming to advance into management roles within central sterile supply departments. It requires a solid foundation in both technical sterilization knowledge and broader leadership competencies. Whether you are a lead technician or already a sterile processing manager, the CHL test is a manager-level exam: it measures how you plan, staff, lead and keep a department compliant. Practice with the free CHL - Certified Healthcare Leader practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (500+ questions with answer explanations).
Free CHL - Certified Healthcare Leader Study Tools
Interactive CHL - Certified Healthcare Leader resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:
- Free CHL Certification Question and Answers — 11 questions with instant scoring and answer explanations
- CHL - Certified Healthcare Leader flashcards — review key terms and concepts card by card
- CHL - Certified Healthcare Leader study guide — topic-by-topic overview of what the exam covers
- CHL - Certified Healthcare Leader cheat sheet — one-page printable summary for last-minute review
CHL Practice Test Questions
Prepare for the CHL - Certified Healthcare Leader exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
CHL - Certified Healthcare Leader Change M...
CHL Exam Questions covering - Certified Healthcare Leader Change Management Principles. Master CHL Test concepts for certification prep.
CHL - Certified Healthcare Leader Communic...
Free CHL Practice Test featuring - Certified Healthcare Leader Communication and Relationship Building. Improve your CHL Exam score with mock test prep.
CHL - Certified Healthcare Leader Document...
CHL Mock Exam on - Certified Healthcare Leader Documentation and Record Keeping. CHL Study Guide questions to pass on your first try.
CHL - Certified Healthcare Leader Financia...
CHL Test Prep for - Certified Healthcare Leader Financial Planning and Budgeting. Practice CHL Quiz questions and boost your score.
CHL - Certified Healthcare Leader Healthca...
CHL Questions and Answers on - Certified Healthcare Leader Healthcare Ethics and Regulations. Free CHL practice for exam readiness.
CHL - Certified Healthcare Leader Healthca...
CHL Mock Test covering - Certified Healthcare Leader Healthcare Quality Management. Online CHL Test practice with instant feedback.
CHL - Certified Healthcare Leader Inventor...
Free CHL Quiz on - Certified Healthcare Leader Inventory and Supply Management. CHL Exam prep questions with detailed explanations.
CHL - Certified Healthcare Leader Staff Ma...
CHL Practice Questions for - Certified Healthcare Leader Staff Management and Engagement. Build confidence for your CHL certification exam.
CHL - Certified Healthcare Leader Workflow...
CHL Test Online for - Certified Healthcare Leader Workflow and Process Design. Free practice with instant results and feedback.
CHL - Certified Healthcare Leader Workforc...
CHL Study Material on - Certified Healthcare Leader Workforce Planning and Development. Prepare effectively with real exam-style questions.
CHL Healthcare Leadership and Strategic Pl...
CHL Mock Test covering Healthcare Leadership and Strategic Planning. Online CHL Test practice with instant feedback.
CHL Patient Safety and Risk Management
CHL Study Material on Patient Safety and Risk Management. Prepare effectively with real exam-style questions.
CHL Exam Flashcards
Quick review for key Certified Healthcare Leader concepts.
💼What is the primary role of a Central Service Leader?
To manage the daily operations of the sterile processing department and ensure patient safety through proper sterilization.
START CHL PRACTICE TEST💰What does ROI stand for in financial management?
Return on Investment, a measure used to evaluate the efficiency of an investment or compare the efficiency of a number of different investments.
REVIEW CHL QUESTIONS📜Which agency regulates workplace safety?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets and enforces protective workplace safety and health standards.
TRY CHL MOCK EXAM👥What is a key component of effective communication?
Active listening, which involves fully concentrating, understanding, responding, and then remembering what is being said.
GET CHL EXAM PREP🏥What is the Joint Commission?
A non-profit organization that accredits and certifies healthcare organizations and programs in the United States.
ACCESS CHL STUDY GUIDE📉What is a variance in budgeting?
The difference between the planned budget amount and the actual amount spent or received.
PRACTICE CHL TEST NOWCertified Healthcare Leader Study Guide
Our CHL test guide breaks down the essential components of the exam. From understanding the CHL certification requirements to mastering the core competencies, this guide covers what you need to know.
CHL Score Calculator
Total Scored Questions
150
105 out of 150 correct
70%
Required to Pass: ~70% (Estimated)
How to Become a Certified Healthcare Leader
The path to becoming a Certified Healthcare Leader involves specific steps. Most candidates start as technicians and gain experience before pursuing CHL preparation.
- Obtain CRCST - You must hold a valid Certified Registered Central Service Technician credential.
- Gain Experience - For applications from October 2026 you must also meet one of three options: 12 months (2,080 hours) of Sterile Processing experience, 12 months (2,080 hours) in a leadership role, or an associate's degree or higher.
- Study CHL Materials - Review HSPA's "Sterile Processing Leadership Manual" (5th edition for the updated exam) and use a CHL study guide.
- Register with HSPA - Submit your application and pay the exam fee to HSPA.
- Schedule Exam - Book your testing appointment at a local Prometric center.
- Pass the Test - Complete the 150-question exam (125 scored) within 3 hours and meet HSPA's criterion-referenced passing point.
- Maintain Certification - Renew annually with 6 management-focused CE credits, current CRCST status and the $50 renewal fee.
What the CHL Practice Test Covers
A CHL practice test should mirror the HSPA exam: 150 multiple-choice questions, 125 of them scored, in a single 3-hour computer-based session at a Prometric test center. The updated CHL Exam Content Outline (revised August 2025, updated January 2026) has four sections: Planning and Decision Making (25%), Organizing (23%), Leading (29%), and Governing and Compliance (23%). Focus your practice sessions on Leading and Planning, which together carry more than half of the scored items, and use timed runs to build pacing.
CHL Test for Managers: What the Exam Actually Measures
The CHL test is written for current and aspiring sterile processing managers, supervisors and directors, so most questions put you in the manager's seat rather than asking how to run a sterilizer. HSPA's 2026 content outline, built from a 2024-2025 job task analysis, splits the exam into four sections:
- Planning and Decision Making (25%) - quality control, outsourcing and off-site reprocessing, workforce planning, capital and operational budgeting, ROI and risk tools such as FMEA and root cause analysis.
- Organizing (23%) - staffing models, service line agreements, reconciling conflicting manufacturer IFUs, and process improvement methods like LEAN Six Sigma and value stream mapping.
- Leading (29%) - onboarding, engagement, conflict management, mentoring versus precepting, competency assessment, HIPAA and SBAR-style communication.
- Governing and Compliance (23%) - inventory and recalls, expense budget variance, infection prevention (AAMI, AORN, OSHA, CDC, FDA, SGNA), event reporting through MAUDE and quality dashboards.
Because Leading is the heaviest section, a manager preparing for the CHL test should practise people-management scenarios first, then budgeting and compliance questions.
CHL test manager checklist: the exam has 150 multiple-choice questions (125 scored, 25 unscored pretest items), a 3-hour limit, and a $140 fee. You must hold a current CRCST, and once approved you have 120 days to test at a Prometric center. The updated exam goes live on December 15, 2026. It follows the October 2025 content outline and draws on HSPA's Sterile Processing Leadership Manual (5th Edition), so plan your study around that book.
CHL Test Guide: How to Prepare Step by Step
This CHL test guide follows HSPA's own preparation advice. HSPA lists three routes to the exam: Purdue University's correspondence course for sterile processing supervisors and managers, self-study with HSPA reference books, or applying on work experience alone. No preparatory course is required, and passing a course does not certify you; only the exam does.
- Confirm eligibility first - a current, full CRCST plus one of the three October 2026 options (2,080 hours of Sterile Processing experience, 2,080 hours in a leadership role, or an associate's degree or higher).
- Get the right books - the updated exam was built on the Sterile Processing Leadership Manual (5th edition) and the Sterile Processing Technical Manual (9th edition), with ANSI/AAMI ST79 and AORN guidelines as standards references.
- Study by weight - spend the most time on Leading (29%) and Planning and Decision Making (25%), then Organizing and Governing and Compliance (23% each).
- Practise under exam conditions - time full runs at 150 questions in 3 hours, and review every missed item against the manual chapter it came from.
- Book promptly - you have 120 days after approval to test at Prometric; regular testing of the updated exam starts December 15, 2026.
Expect to invest between $300 and $600 total for your CHL certification, covering the exam fee and study materials. Many employers reimburse these costs.
CHL Career Opportunities
The Certified Healthcare Leader credential opens doors to various management roles within the sterile processing field.
CS Manager
Oversee the entire Central Service department, including staff, budget, and operations.
Sterile
Processing SupervisorManage shift operations and ensure technicians follow proper protocols.
CS Educator
Train new technicians and manage continuing education for the department.
Traveling CS Manager
Fill interim management roles at hospitals across the country on short-term contracts.
Vendor Consultant
Work with equipment manufacturers to train hospital staff on new sterilization technologies.
CHL Test Day Checklist
- ✓Two forms of ID
- ✓Exam confirmation email
- ✓Arrive 30 mins early
- ✓Review HSPA handbook
- ✓Leave electronics in car
- ✓Comfortable clothing
- ✓Know center location
- ✓Relaxation techniques
Ready to Lead?
Start your journey to becoming a Certified Healthcare Leader today. Take our free CHL practice test and evaluate your readiness for the HSPA exam.
CHL Renewal Requirements
CE Credits
6 Credits
Fee
$50/Year
Ensure you submit your renewal application and fee before the expiration date to avoid late fees or loss of certification. CE credits must be specific to leadership or technical management.
- +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 |
Official Resources
- HSPA — Certified Healthcare Leader (CHL) Certification Overview: the official certifying body's page with eligibility requirements, the application fee, and the exam format.
- HSPA — Certification Program Updates: HSPA's official notice of the 2026 CHL eligibility rule changes and the exam transition timeline.
- AAMI — Standards: the standards organization behind ANSI/AAMI ST79, the sterilization standard referenced in the CHL exam content outline.
Sample CHL - Certified Healthcare Leader Practice Questions
Try these questions from our free CHL - Certified Healthcare Leader practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
Which federal law prohibits healthcare providers from referring patients to entities in which they have a financial interest?
- A. Anti-Kickback Statute
- B. Stark Law
- C. False Claims Act
- D. HIPAA Privacy Rule
Answer: B. Stark Law
The Stark Law (Physician Self-Referral Law) prohibits physician referrals for designated health services to entities with which they have a financial relationship.
Which type of benchmarking compares an organization's performance against the best-performing organizations regardless of industry to identify breakthrough improvements?
- A. Internal benchmarking
- B. Competitive benchmarking
- C. Functional or generic benchmarking
- D. Collaborative benchmarking
Answer: C. Functional or generic benchmarking
Generic benchmarking looks outside one's industry to adopt best practices from any sector that excels in a particular function.
Which federal law prohibits healthcare providers from referring Medicare and Medicaid patients to entities in which the physician has a financial interest?
- A. Anti-Kickback Statute
- B. Stark Law (Physician Self-Referral Law)
- C. False Claims Act
- D. Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA)
Answer: B. Stark Law (Physician Self-Referral Law)
The Stark Law prohibits physician self-referrals for designated health services to entities with which the physician has a financial relationship.
Which of the following is a key requirement of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Security Rule?
- A. Providing patients with paper copies of their medical records
- B. Implementing administrative, physical, and technical safeguards for ePHI
- C. Obtaining written consent before every clinical encounter
- D. Reporting all data breaches to the HHS within 24 hours
Answer: B. Implementing administrative, physical, and technical safeguards for ePHI
The HIPAA Security Rule requires covered entities to implement safeguards across three domains—administrative, physical, and technical—to protect electronic protected health information.
Take the full CHL - Certified Healthcare Leader practice test
CHL Questions and Answers
How this page was made: written with AI tools and published by Nathan Beja, founder of Practice Test Geeks, who is responsible for its content. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy
Sources & references
Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy
- myhspa.org — Eligibility, fees, registration deadline, score release, test delivery, exam format, retake fee, time limit, exam information · verified Oct 2026