CHHA

Most jurisdictions use a multiple-choice written test plus a separate skills competency demonstration in which an evaluator watches you perform procedures against a checklist. Some programs also include a short reading or math screening. The exact format, number of items, and time allowed are set by your state agency or its testing vendor, so check the official candidate handbook for your jurisdiction.

These figures differ by state and change periodically, so the official certifying body for your area publishes the current counts and time limits. Your training program's handbook or the testing vendor's candidate guide will list them. Before test day, confirm the length, whether breaks are permitted, and whether the written and practical portions are scheduled separately.

Most candidates who complete an approved training program and practice the skills pass. Difficulty comes less from obscure facts than from safety details and precise sequencing. Passing scores are set by the governing body and vary by state, so the official source publishes the current threshold. Aim well above the minimum rather than calculating exactly what you need.

Retake rules, waiting periods, fees, and limits on the number of attempts are set by your state or testing vendor, and they differ widely. Some allow a retake after a short waiting period; others require remediation before you re-test. The official candidate handbook lists the exact policy, so read it before you sit for the exam rather than after.

Start with personal care and activities of daily living, since it carries the most weight and overlaps heavily with the practical skills. Then move to safety and emergency procedures, infection control, and observation and reporting, which appear inside almost every scenario question. Save rights, communication, and body systems for later review, but do not skip them.

The most common losses are skipped hand hygiene, missing supplies before starting, and not explaining steps to the client. Others include forgetting to lock wheelchair wheels, failing to check water temperature, and omitting privacy measures such as closing the door or draping the client. Evaluators score what they observe, so narrate safety steps out loud as you perform them.

You should recognize common values your agency asks you to report, such as temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure ranges, and know which findings are abnormal enough to report immediately. You are not expected to diagnose. Focus on what to observe, what to write down, and whom to tell, rather than on clinical interpretation.

Most candidates need several weeks of steady review after their training course, working in short sessions of 30 to 45 minutes rather than long cramming blocks. Practice one skill per session out loud, then answer questions on the matching topic to check recall. If you are retaking the exam, allow extra time to redo the specific skills you missed.

No. This is an independent study resource offering original practice questions and review material. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any state agency, certifying board, or testing vendor. Always verify requirements, scheduling, fees, and scoring directly with the official body that governs certification where you work.