NHA CBCS exam-day guide
NHA CBCS · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring at least one current, unexpired government-issued photo ID with a signature, such as a driver's license or passport. The name must match your registration exactly. Because acceptable ID combinations vary by testing vendor, confirm the exact ID requirements with the provider before test day.
Confirmation notice and appointment details
Print or save your scheduling confirmation showing the test date, time, and location or online-proctoring link. Some sites ask to see it at check-in; if you are unsure whether it is required, confirm with the provider.
Know your testing channel and arrival time
Confirm whether you are testing at a physical test center or by live remote proctoring, and what arrival or check-in time the provider specifies. Arriving late can mean forfeiting your seat and fee; verify the cutoff with the provider.
Know the exam structure and timing
Review how many questions the CBCS exam contains, the time limit, and how breaks are handled. These operational details can change, so confirm current specifications on the official certification body's website rather than relying on secondhand summaries.
Remote-testing room and equipment check (if applicable)
If testing online, run any required system or equipment check in advance, keep the room clear of notes and devices, and plan for a room scan. Exact room and camera rules vary; confirm them with the provider.
Plan your route and backup transport
For an in-person test, confirm the address, parking or transit options, and travel time, and build in a buffer for traffic or security screening. Do a dry run if the site is unfamiliar.
Light layers and comfort items allowed by the site
Test rooms are often cold and sessions are long. Dress in layers and check whether the provider permits water, tissues, or other items in the testing room; many centers restrict personal items to a locker.
Leave valuables and study materials at home or in the car
Phones, smartwatches, notes, and bags are typically prohibited in the testing room. Confirm the provider's personal-item policy so you are not turned away at check-in.
Plan for a proctor-provided writing surface
Some vendors supply scratch paper or an erasable board and prohibit bringing your own. Do not assume you may bring paper or a pen; confirm with the provider.
Arrange your day-of logistics
Plan childcare, pet care, meals, and medication timing around the session, including check-in and any scheduled break. For medical accommodations, request them well before test day and confirm approval with the provider.
Confirm scoring and results reporting
Know whether you receive a preliminary score at the test center and how official results are delivered. Confirm the current passing standard and reporting timeline with the provider, since these can change.
Build a one-page review sheet
Condense high-yield coding and billing concepts, common code sets, and compliance terms into a single page for the final 24 hours. Use it for quick recall, not new learning, and leave it outside the testing room.
Plan the day
Shift from broad study to consolidation. Re-read your condensed notes on coding guidelines, reimbursement processes, and compliance concepts, then take one or two timed practice sets to rehearse pacing. Review only the explanations for questions you missed; stop adding new resources. Confirm your appointment time, location or remote link, ID requirements, and any accommodation approvals with the provider. Sleep on a normal schedule rather than cramming overnight.
Do a light review of your one-page sheet and the exam's structure and timing, then stop studying early enough to rest. Pack your ID and confirmation notice, lay out clothing and travel items, and check the weather and route. If testing remotely, rerun the equipment check and clear your testing space. Eat a normal dinner, avoid heavy caffeine late in the day, and set two alarms.
Eat a normal meal and hydrate moderately. Arrive at the test center or log in with a buffer before the required check-in time; for remote testing, close other applications and put your phone away as instructed. Bring only permitted items, keep your ID accessible, and do a brief breathing exercise to settle nerves. Avoid last-minute cramming in the parking lot, which tends to increase anxiety without improving recall.
Read each question fully and watch for qualifiers such as 'first,' 'best,' or 'except.' Answer easier questions first if you tend to stall, flag uncertain items, and return to them if the platform allows review. Pace yourself against the clock and reserve time to check flagged questions. Use any scheduled break as instructed, and if a technical problem occurs during a remote session, notify the proctor immediately through the approved channel rather than troubleshooting alone.
Rules to check
Bring valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID whose name matches your registration. Acceptable ID types and any secondary-ID requirements vary by vendor, so confirm them with the provider before test day.
Arrive or log in by the check-in time the provider specifies. Late arrivals may be denied entry and may forfeit fees; confirm the exact cutoff and reschedule policy with the provider.
Follow all proctor instructions and the vendor's prohibited-item rules. Phones, smartwatches, notes, and unauthorized materials are typically barred from the testing room; confirm what is permitted.
Breaks are governed by the provider's rules. Some exams allow scheduled breaks and others do not, and unscheduled breaks may count against your time or require proctor approval; confirm the policy in advance.
Do not attempt to copy, share, or discuss exam content. Certification exams are confidential, and candidates are typically required to accept a nondisclosure agreement at check-in.
Scoring and passing standards are set by the certification body and can change. Do not rely on remembered cut scores or question counts; confirm the current passing standard and results timeline with the provider.
Request any testing accommodations, such as extra time or a separate room, well before your appointment and obtain written approval. Accommodations are generally not granted on test day.
If a technical or environmental problem disrupts your session, report it to the proctor immediately and follow the provider's incident process. Do not continue silently and assume the issue will be resolved later.