CCHT

NNCC lists the CCHT for practicing dialysis technicians who have a high school diploma or GED. A separate advanced credential, the CCHT-A, is reserved for clinical dialysis technicians with at least 5,000 hours and 5 years of experience. Confirm current eligibility documentation requirements with NNCC before you apply.

The exam samples five practice areas: patient care and assessment; dialysis procedures and equipment; water treatment and dialysate preparation; infection control and patient safety; and professional practice, education, and role responsibilities. Treat all five as testable. Technicians often over-study machine tasks and under-study water treatment and infection control.

It is a multiple-choice, English-language certification exam. NNCC delivers its exams through its testing partner, C-NET, which also handles ADA special accommodations. The exam is written to establish that a certified individual meets the requirements of a nationally certified healthcare professional practicing in the United States, so expect US practice conventions.

A practical sequence is water treatment and dialysate preparation first, then infection control and patient safety, because both underpin every later decision. Move next to dialysis procedures and equipment, then patient care and assessment, and finish with professional practice, education, and role responsibilities. Revisit earlier domains in short review cycles rather than studying one domain to exhaustion.

NNCC states that books and flash cards marketed as preparation for its exams are not created or endorsed by NNCC, and that their use is not recommended. Instead, review the Practice/Prepare tab under your credential for the recommended reference list. Build practice from those references and from your supervised clinical experience rather than from third-party question sets.

NNCC's testing partner, C-NET, offers special accommodations in conjunction with the Americans with Disabilities Act. English as a second language is not considered by the ADA to be a disability, and NNCC's certification exams are English-language exams. Request any accommodation through C-NET when you schedule, and allow time for review before your test date.

If you sign up for NNCC's mobile text alert service, you will receive your certification reminder notice by text message at least 90 days before your certification expiration date. You will also receive important NNCC and certification news that way. Signing up reduces the risk of a missed reminder due to lost mail or blocked email.

Take the CCHT if you are a practicing dialysis technician with a high school diploma or GED. The CCHT-A is reserved for clinical dialysis technicians with at least 5,000 hours and 5 years of experience, so most candidates start with the CCHT and pursue the advanced credential later. Verify your hours documentation with NNCC first.

NNCC publishes its denial, suspension, revocation, certification, and recertification policies on its website and points candidates there for details. Retake timing and fees are not stated on the public program overview, so confirm them directly with NNCC before you reschedule. Do not rely on forum claims about retake windows or waiting periods.