Certified Health Care Environmental Services Professional (CHESP)

Eligibility for the examination requires ONE of the following:

• Baccalaureate degree or higher from an accredited college or university plus three (3) years of environmental services experience*in a health care setting** of which two (2) of those years must have been in a management/supervisory/administrative role.
• Associate degree or equivalent from an accredited college plus four (4) years of environmental services experience* in a health care setting** of which three (3) of those years must have been in a management/supervisory/administrative role.
• High school diploma or equivalent plus five (5) years of environmental services experience* in a management/supervisory/administrative role in a health care setting**.

* Environmental services experience refers to work experience in operations related to environmental sanitation, waste management and textile management.

** Includes experience with a provider of environmental services or products to a health care facility (e.g., Consultants, Manufacturers, Vendors, Contract Services Providers, etc.)

The American Hospital Association Certification Center contracts with PSI to administer its certification exams.

Eligible candidates must apply to take the exam with the American Hospital Association Certification Center. Once the candidate purchases their exam, they can schedule their exam with PSI through the AHA Certification Portal. Candidates can schedule their exam with PSI at an approved testing center or they can schedule a live-remote proctored exam with PSI.

If you need to reschedule an exam, log in to the Online Certification Management Portal.

Exam cost:

• $275 for AHE members
• $425 for non-members
• Eligible veterans can have the cost of their exam reimbursed

Candidates that pass their exam can expect to receive their official certification from the American Hospital Association Certification Center two to four weeks after their testing date. Please contact the American Hospital Association Certification Center if you have questions about a certification or need the receipt for the exam for your records.

Certificants can renew their certification in two ways:

• Option 1: Track and renew your CE credits by logging into your Certification Portal and documenting 45 qualifying contact hours over your three-year certification period.
• Option 2: Successfully pass the CHESP exam.

Certificants may submit their renewal one year before the current expiration date. However, if you submit your application early, that will not change the expiration date or extend the next renewal cycle. Your 45 contact hours must fall within the three-year certification dates.

Renewal fees:

• $135 for AHE members
• $225 for non-members

Additional $50 if renewing in the 30 days after your expiration date.

You can submit your certification renewal up to 30 days after your expiration date with a $50 late fee. However, you cannot submit CECs you earned during this 30-day extended grace period. If you do not submit your renewal by the end of the 30-days, you will have to retake and successfully pass the exam to reinstate your credential.

The American Hospital Association Certification Center may grant an extension of time to a certificant to complete the number of Continuing Education Credits (CECs) required for a recertification cycle. An extension of time shall not relieve the applicant of the responsibility for completion of the recertification requirements for the cycle in which the extension period falls. A certificant with a credential in Revoked status is NOT eligible to request an extension.

• Review the AHE resource page to see a list of materials and classes offered for CHESP exam preparation.
• Take the SAE-Self Assessment Exam, an online test that parallels the actual certification exam.