About the CHS-C Exam

Certificate for HOPE Specialist – Clinical (CHS-C) Certification Exam

The Certificate for HOPE Specialist – Clinical (CHS-C) Exam evaluates an individual’s knowledge of CMS HOPE data collection guidance.

The CHS-C Exam is a voluntary certification examination available to hospice providers and other stakeholders interested in establishing and demonstrating their expertise and commitment to HOPE data accuracy.

Who Should Pursue HOPE Certification

The CHS-C Certification is recommended for Hospice clinicians and staff involved with HOPE data collection, abstraction, implementation, auditing, quality initiatives and education.

How to Register for the CHS-C Exam

Administration of the 100-item multiple choice open-book test is offered via a national network of computer-based testing centers. Limited opportunities for in-person paper & pencil exam administrations will be posted on the website.

HOPE Certification for Hospice Organizations

Private exam administrations for groups may be arranged by filling out our online form to speak with a specialist. 

Take the next step toward HOPE Certification. Register for the CHS-C Exam today and demonstrate your commitment to accuracy, quality, and CMS compliance.

HOPE Certification (CHS-C) Exam Overview

The CHS-C Exam covers:

  • HOPE-related regulations
  • Data collection timepoints
  • Patient populations
  • Data collection conventions
  • HOPE item guidance
  • Identifying and coding Symptom Follow-up Visits

Benefits of the CHS-C designation:

The CHS-C Exam is the premier way to demonstrate knowledge of CMS HOPE data collection rules and conventions – and to achieve accurate, defensible data collection.
 
The CHS-C Certification benefits both hospice organizations and individuals:
  • For organizations, having CHS-C Certified staff provides your leadership confidence that staff responsible for HOPE education, data collection and/or abstraction have the knowledge and application skills to produce clean HOPE data for timely submisssion to iQIES, minimizing your risk for APU payment reductions and unimpressive quality measure performance.
  • For individuals, the CHS-C Certification elevates your professional credibility, positioning you as a forward-thinking leader invested in compliance and quality.

How to Take the CHS-C Exam

CHS-C Exam Testing Options

There are two ways to take the CHS-C Exam:

  1. Paper and Pencil Exam: Take the exam following any of our HOPE in Action in-person workshops and save. 
     
  2. Computer-Based Test: Schedule an exam at a testing location near you and get instant results.

     
    The CHS-C Exam is available at over 300 testing centers around the country. Each assessment center is a certified PSI Services testing facility that adheres to the highest administration standards.

    Watch this 3-minute video for a quick overview of what to expect during a test center exam session.


Exam results are reported as Pass or Fail. During check-in, candidates must present two forms of identification, including at least one valid government-issued photo ID, to verify eligibility before testing begins.

CHS-C Exam FAQ

  • Who can take the CHS-C Exam?

The CHS-C Exam is open to all hospice professionals and stakeholders—no prerequisites required. Candidates simply need a desire to demonstrate their understanding of CMS HOPE data collection guidance and their commitment to HOPE compliance and data accuracy.

Ideal participants include hospice nurses, social workers, therapists, chaplains, volunteers, supervisors, and other professionals involved in conducting comprehensive assessments, coding or abstracting HOPE items, auditing clinical records, or providing HOPE education and staff orientation.

  • How long does the CHS-C Exam take?

The CHS-C Certification Exam is a 2.5-hour, 100-question multiple-choice test designed to evaluate your knowledge of CMS HOPE data collection guidance. 

  • What's on the CHS-C Exam?

The CHS-C Certification Exam evaluates a candidate’s knowledge of CMS Hospice Outcomes & Patient Evaluation (HOPE) guidance, including HOPE timepoints, data collection regulations, patient populations, and item-specific coding instructions.

The exam is open-book, allowing participants to bring any paper-based HOPE reference materials into the testing room. Acceptable resources include, but are not limited to, the CMS Core HOPE Documents, HOPE Guidance Manual, CMS HOPE FAQs, the HOPE in Action training handout, and the INSTANT HOPE Answers Book.

  • How much does the CHS-C Certification cost?

The Computer-Based Testing registration fee is $395 and includes testing facility fees. Paper & Pencil exams administered in conjunction with an In-Person HOPE in Action training are offered at a discounted price of $345 for initial testing.

The Psychometric Review Process

The CHS-C Exam is initially and regularly reviewed, analyzed, and updated to ensure that all test items are a reliable and appropriate representation of CMS’ rules. The exam items are developed incorporating a process of review and refinement by the CHS-C Clinical Advisory Panel, a group of HOPE content experts of varied hospice backgrounds and disciplines. The Panel intentionally reviews the exam items to create a bank of test questions and concepts that reflect the knowledge and skills needed for competent HOPE data collection/abstraction.

The test undergoes a holistic review by a psychometrician and the Clinical Advisory Panel. It is checked for accuracy, significance, fairness, and conformity to test specifications.

Initial and ongoing item analysis adhering to psychometric industry standards detects any items with questionable performance. If there are any item ambiguities, the Panel makes adjustments before determining a passing score.

Read about the psychometric process behind OAI’s certification programs on our blog from the Director of Psychometrics.

Read Now