IBFCSM CHEP study guide
IBFCSM CHEP · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The CHEP credential is issued by IBFCSM, the Board for Certification Services and Management, an independent nonprofit 501C(6) personal certification organization established in 1976 and dedicated to "Upgrading Professions" in healthcare safety, healthcare emergency management, hazard control management, product safety, disaster management, and related areas. CHEP sits within that family of credentials, and candidates typically come from hospital safety, risk management, emergency preparedness, environmental health and safety, infection prevention support, facilities, and product or device safety roles where they must show competence across both patient-safety and worker-safety concerns. The IBFCSM CHEP study guide has 5 sections and about 1,458 words.
01Healthcare Safety
This domain tests how well you recognize and control safety hazards in patient-care environments, where workers, patients, and visitors share risk. Expectations blend regulatory compliance with practical controls: bloodborne pathogens, sharps safety, safe patient handling, life safety, hazardous materials, and infection prevention.
340 words, about 2 min02Healthcare Emergency Management
This domain tests emergency management for healthcare organizations: how plans, command structures, communications, surge capacity, and exercises work together across the emergency lifecycle. It emphasizes an all-hazards approach and coordination with community partners.
290 words, about 1 min03Hazard Control Management
This domain tests systematic hazard control: finding hazards, assessing risk, choosing controls, and verifying that controls work. It covers inspections, job hazard analysis, incident investigation, and change management.
283 words, about 1 min04Product Safety
This domain tests how healthcare organizations and suppliers keep medical products safe from design through disposal: device selection, sterile processing, traceability, adverse event reporting, and recalls. Apply risk management across the product lifecycle, including design controls, verification and validation, labeling, and postmarket surveillance.
279 words, about 1 min05Disaster Management
This domain tests the disaster lifecycle beyond a single facility emergency: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery, with community coordination and mass casualty management. Distinguish an emergency from a disaster: a disaster overwhelms local resources and requires external assistance.
266 words, about 1 min