CHL Practice Test
Updated for October 2026
The Certified Healthcare Leader (CHL) certification, administered by the HSPA (formerly IAHCSMM), validates your ability to manage a central service department. Achieving this credential demonstrates expertise in leadership, financial management, and departmental operations.
Our comprehensive CHL practice test resources are designed to help you master the exam content. With a focus on real-world scenarios and management principles, this guide will prepare you to pass the CHL exam on your first attempt.
- 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.
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:
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 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.
🎯 💰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.
💡 📜Which agency regulates workplace safety?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets and enforces protective workplace safety and health standards.
🔑 👥What is a key component of effective communication?
Active listening, which involves fully concentrating, understanding, responding, and then remembering what is being said.
📝 🏥What is the Joint Commission?
A non-profit organization that accredits and certifies healthcare organizations and programs in the United States.
⭐ 📉What is a variance in budgeting?
The difference between the planned budget amount and the actual amount spent or received.
Certified 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.
- What is the CHL certification?
- The Certified Healthcare Leader (CHL) credential validates a professional's ability to manage central service operations, including finance, personnel, and regulatory compliance.
- Who administers the CHL exam?
- The exam is administered by the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA), formerly known as IAHCSMM.
- Who should take the CHL test?
- Experienced sterile processing technicians who want to advance into leadership roles such as manager, supervisor, or director should take the CHL test.
- Is the CHL exam recognized nationally?
- Yes, the CHL certification is a nationally and internationally recognized credential in the healthcare sterile processing field.
- How many questions are on the CHL exam?
- The Certified Healthcare Leader exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions (125 scored plus 25 unscored pretest questions) that must be completed within 3 hours.
- What topics does the CHL test cover?
- Topics include financial management, human resources, communication, legal issues, and central service technical operations.
- Is the CHL exam computer-based?
- Yes, the CHL exam is a computer-based test (CBT) administered at Prometric testing centers.
- Are there prerequisites for the CHL exam?
- Yes, candidates must hold a current, full CRCST certification. From October 2026 they 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.
- How do I register for the CHL exam?
- You can register for the CHL exam through the HSPA website by submitting an application and payment.
- What is the CHL exam cost?
- The CHL application fee is $140 for everyone (initial exam and each retake). HSPA membership is not required and there is no separate non-member price.
- Where can I take the CHL test?
- The CHL test is administered at Prometric testing centers located throughout the United States and internationally.
- Can I reschedule my CHL exam?
- Yes, you can reschedule your exam through Prometric, but fees may apply depending on how close to the exam date you make the change.
- What is the passing score for the CHL exam?
- HSPA does not publish a percentage passing score. Your pass/fail status is based on how many of the 125 scored questions you answer correctly against a criterion-referenced passing point set with the Angoff method; result reports show each domain as At or Above, Below, or Well Below.
- When do I get my CHL results?
- A pass/fail notification is shown on screen at the Prometric test center right after the exam and is emailed within 48 hours. Pilot exam candidates (October 2026) receive results by the end of November 2026.
- What happens if I fail the CHL exam?
- If you fail, HSPA posts a result report and retake information in your online portal; you retake by submitting a retake application with the full $140 exam fee.
- How long is CHL certification valid?
- CHL certification is valid for one year and must be renewed annually through continuing education.
- What is the average CHL salary?
- Certified Healthcare Leaders often earn between $60,000 and $90,000 annually, depending on experience and location.
- Does CHL certification increase pay?
- Yes, holding a CHL certification often qualifies professionals for management roles with significantly higher pay scales.
- What jobs can I get with a CHL?
- Common roles include Sterile Processing Manager, Central Service Director, and CS Supervisor.
- Is the CHL exam worth it?
- Yes, the CHL credential is highly valued by employers for leadership positions in central service departments.
CHL Score Calculator
Total Scored Questions
150
Estimated score calculation
105 out of 150 correct
70%
Required to Pass: ~70% (Estimated)
Your Score: 105 correct ✓ PASS
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.
CHL Test Day Checklist
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
To maintain your CHL certification, you must renew every year with HSPA: 6 CE credits on management or supervisory topics, current CRCST status, and a $50 renewal fee. This ensures leaders stay current with industry standards.
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.
Pros
- Validates your knowledge and skills objectively
- Increases job market competitiveness
- Provides structured learning goals
- Networking opportunities with other certified professionals
Cons
- 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 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
What are the eligibility requirements for the CHL certification?
To sit for the CHL exam you must hold a current, full CRCST certification from HSPA (formerly IAHCSMM). For applications from October 2026, HSPA also requires one of three options: 12 months full-time (2,080 hours) of Sterile Processing experience, 12 months (2,080 hours) in a leadership role, or an associate's degree or higher, documented with an experience verification form or a diploma/transcript. No continuing education hours are required before applying.
What topics are covered on the CHL exam?
The CHL exam tests knowledge across several domains including leadership and management principles, human resources management, financial management and budgeting, quality assurance and regulatory compliance, education and communication, and central service operations oversight. Questions focus on real-world supervisory scenarios that department leaders encounter daily.
How long do I have to complete the CHL exam?
Candidates have three hours to complete the 150-question CHL examination. The test is administered in a single timed session; you may take breaks, but the clock keeps running. Most test-takers find the allotted time sufficient, but practicing with timed CHL practice tests beforehand helps ensure you can pace yourself effectively during the actual exam.
How do I register for the CHL exam?
Registration for the CHL exam is handled through HSPA's online application (dashboard.myhspa.org) or a paper application. You submit the $140 application fee, proof of current CRCST status and, from October 2026, documentation of your experience or degree. Allow 3-4 weeks for processing; once approved you receive scheduling instructions and have 120 days to book and sit your exam at a Prometric testing center.
What is the format of the CHL exam questions?
The CHL exam consists entirely of multiple-choice questions, each with four answer options. Many questions are scenario-based, presenting a workplace situation and asking you to select the best course of action as a department leader. Some questions may include calculations related to budgeting, staffing ratios, or productivity metrics.
How often do I need to recertify my CHL credential?
The CHL certification must be renewed every year through HSPA. To maintain your credential you must keep your CRCST current, submit 6 CE credits focused on management or supervisory topics earned within your renewal year, and pay the $50 annual renewal fee (one fee covers all HSPA certifications you hold). Renewals are due by the last day of your certification anniversary month.
What study materials does IAHCSMM recommend for the CHL exam?
HSPA lists its Sterile Processing Leadership Manual (5th edition) and Sterile Processing Technical Manual (9th edition) as the references for the updated CHL exam, together with ANSI/AAMI ST79 and AORN's Guidelines for Perioperative Practice. The manuals and workbooks are sold in HSPA's online store; Purdue University also offers an optional CHL preparation course, which is not required for certification.
Can my employer sponsor my CHL exam fees?
Many healthcare employers do offer tuition reimbursement or professional certification sponsorship programs that cover CHL exam fees and study materials. Contact your human resources department to inquire about available funding. Some facilities consider CHL certification a requirement for supervisory roles and will cover the full cost of the exam, study guide, and application fees.
How many questions are on the CHL?
The Certified Healthcare Leader (CHL) exam has 150 multiple-choice questions, of which 125 are scored and 25 are unscored pretest questions. (Verified Oct 18, 2026 against Healthcare Sterile Processing Association.)