Listen on the Almanac or Spotify, and find us and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Transcript
Milini Mingo, CHCP, PMP: Hello and welcome to the Alliance Podcast continuing conversations. I'm your host, Milini Mingo. And today we're going to dive into a topic that's been generating a great deal of interest in the CPD community, and that is the CHCP certification. Now, the CHCP designation represents a benchmark of excellence and expertise for professionals in the healthcare continuing education field. And whether you are considering the credential for the first time, or you're curious about the recent exam updates, this episode is for you. Joining me are Amy Bernard and Susan Yarbrough. They are both the members of the CHCP Commission and were involved with the updates to the new CHCP Exam, which takes effect as of June 2025. Amy and Susan, welcome to the Alliance Podcast.
Susan Yarbrough, CHCP, FACEHP: Thank you.
Amy Bernard, MS, BSN, RN, NPD-BC, CHCP: Thanks, so much.
MM: No problem, thank you. So let's get started with the most important question: What is the benefit of having this CHCP credential in the first place? And why is it so important for a healthcare CPD professional to even consider taking the exam?
SY: It's a clear demonstration that you have met the standards and understand are recognized specialist in the world of healthcare, CPD, continuing education/ continual professional development. Achieving the credential means that you have demonstrated the knowledge, the competence in 10 different areas of our industry, following the Alliance for Continuing Education and Healthcare Professions' national learning competencies for for individuals who've been involved in CE. You know more than you think. And while I wouldn't recommend this if you're just starting out in CE, healthcare CE. I encourage anyone who has a few years of experience to go for it.
AB: Absolutely, Susan, I agree with that. And for individuals this credential can significantly enhance your job market prospects. Just last week I coached someone who was Job hunting and discussed how, leveraging their CHCP Credential could give them an edge in a competitive market. Imagine there are twi equally qualified candidates, one with a CHCP certification will have a distinct advantage. So if you're considering ways to stand out professionally earning your CHCP is definitely a strategic move and there are also benefits for employers, too. When their staff obtain a CHCP Credential, it adds to the credibility of the organization and their reputation, so showing that commitment to higher standards and industry best practices. That's really key. And then it also gives the organization a competitive edge, supporting credentialing can boost morale and job satisfaction. It shows that as an organization we invest in our professional development and potentially increasing the employee retention. And then for those organizations out there who are accredited cme ce providers. Professional development of your staff is tied to the accreditation, commendation, criteria, so excellent opportunity as to tie in with CHCP and then one other thing, Susan, I would say, to add to that would be the importance of educating your C-Suite about the value of CHCP. Encouraging leadership to establish a program that acknowledges and rewards employees who successfully earned their CHCP Credential, for example, at medscape we support our team by reimbursing for the cost of the exam. For those who pass. This not only incentivizes professional development, but also demonstrates our commitment to foster a skilled, certified workforce, and to support them in doing so.
SY: I couldn't agree more. I would also say, you know, we advertise it at Memalt for Medical Learning Institute. We advertise on our website how many CHCPs we have, you know. Again, it's an outward display that we are meeting a higher level of standards.
AB: Right, right.
MM: Yes. Well, thank you so much for that for explaining exactly what the benefits are. But of course, in order to get the credential you have to take the exam, so I do know and correct me. If I'm wrong, the CHCP can be taken either in person or at home virtually correct? So give me an overview. What does that look like for each, each type of experience, whether you're virtual or in person? And also, what does that look like overall for test takers.
SY: Well for me, it was a flashback to my high school days sitting for college exams. So if you have test taking anxiety, do a little preparation and prepare for that. Of course I was in the very 1st cohort. Yes, I am that old when it first rolled out in 2008. So it has been a day or two. However, I actually spoke with a colleague who just took it within the last 30 days, and I asked her about her experiences. She did take it at a testing center as I did, and our experiences were very similar. So that's pretty well defined. If anyone's ever had to take at a testing center. They have pretty set rules, and they haven't changed a lot. You walk in. You usually have to like, tuck your stuff away in a locker, you know you're not allowed to take in, you know, laptops and phones, and, you know, potential cheating Aids. They're going to make sure it's watches, smart watches, all of the things like that, you know, to ensure the integrity of the test taking process took about 3 h, which I found plenty of time. There were 160 multiple choice questions and you know, complete it. I felt like, you know, and I'll let Amy talk about her experience. The online experience is similar. And if you've ever had the joy of doing an online proctored exam, it's a similar experience. Make sure you have a stable Internet connection, no distractions. They almost like lockdown for lack of a better way to phrase it, your computer. So you can't access and have multiple screens open and same sort of thing. Same amount of time is given the same. The exam itself, you know, questions are the same, etc, etc. So, Amy, what was your what were your? What was your experience like?
AB: Yeah. First of all, it's nice to have options right to take it in a testing center. Or virtually, I appreciate that flexibility. I also took it at a testing center. What I liked about it, no distractions I felt I could just focus without anything else to worry about. I felt that 3 h was also adequate. To complete the exam review any questions that I had flagged, that I wanted to go back to, and plenty of time left over thereafter. So I think it's individual. And what works for the person taking the test? If you have an environment at home that could possibly be disruptive to that period of time. I recommend going to a testing center where you're guaranteed. If you have little ones at home and or anything, if you could have a knock at the door and dog barking in the background. Anything to distract you? I would recommend trying to create the environment that would be as quiet as possible and focused as possible.
SY: And I would say the availability of testing center is pretty broad, you know. Certainly, major metropolitan areas are going to have multiple choices there, not to mention the secondary tertiary, you know, smaller as you get down in smaller locales. There were lots of different options. I was living in Atlanta at the time, but I had multiple sites where I could choose.
MM: Excellent. All right, let's talk about the updates. Okay? So the exam has been updated for June 2025 window. What was the catalyst for that change in the 1st place. And how did you all approach updating that actual exam?
SY: Which has changed since the original exam in 2008, when it was written. It was then updated in, I think it was 2017-18. It was time for a change. We've had significant regulatory changes since then changes from the standards of commercial support to the standards of integrity and independence. You know, tremendous changes in technology and its application to the healthcare field as well as healthcare education. We want to make sure we're capturing and assessing what we're actually doing today and assessing those skills that we need to be successful.
MM: And so you did talk about the different changes, etc. What can you say? What core elements remain consistent? What- what can you talk about what make, what stayed and what changed since the last update?
SY: So, you know, I referenced earlier the Alliance's national learning competencies. So those have been updated and evolved with our industry. Previously, there used to be eight domains. Now there are 10. So the exam does align beautifully, and if you can, you know, access those national learning competencies which are available on the Alliance website and if you've got a good solid feel for those a good chunk of all those domains, I feel confident you're going to do well on this exam. I think there's and we'll probably talk about more. A lot of different tools and ways to prepare for the exam. But that's the core hasn't changed. You know. We know that we're going to be talking about adult learning theory. We're going to be talking about some accreditation issues. We're going to talk about program management. We're going to talk about technology. We're going to talk about evaluation and assessment, the core fundamental things that haven't changed in our field.
MM: So you spoke about the 10 core domains. I do know that the exam was aligned with the curriculum, titled, educate the educator. So can you give us a brief overview of that framework, and how the 10 core domains were actually built on that?
SY: Sure. So these competencies are the national learning competencies that educate the educator curriculum, that I'm is all closely related, and they're varied and intended to cover the wide range of skills needed to be successful in art. Our industry, quality and performance, improvement, interprofessional education, understanding grants and industry support leadership, technology managing a Ce program and leading a Ce program, especially assessment and evaluation. And then including research and scholarship, evolving and emerging trends. All of these are, you know such an amazing foundation, and and encompass what we do day in and day out.
MM: What's next? How do they maintain their certification? How do they stay up to date through the recertification process?
AB: Absolutely thanks. That's a great question, and all I can say is, once you've achieved your Chcp. Do not let it expire. I know of people who have accidentally let it expire, and they had to take the test again. You don't want to do that. Don't be in that situation, so you can access all. There's a lot of ways to meet the requirements such as through accredited education, attending conferences, volunteering in our field, presenting, publishing, I think Susan will probably have a few more ideas to share. But the point is, make sure you're on top of the number of credits that you need to recertify and make yourself a system for remembering to stay on top of it, whether it maybe you could create a calendar reminder to check on your status? Where am I at meeting my recertification requirements? Maybe it be every six months, or something that you're checking up on it, and you're keeping a log of what you've done to maintain those educational requirements. Susan, you want to add to that. I'm sure you have other ideas.
SY: Well, I will say, once you learn the results of the exam. It is an unwritten rule that you must post it to social media. I mean, it's, you know, Linkedin really needs to know that information. Your Facebook, your Instagram. People gotta know! Then, following up what Amy said, it's doing what we say we do. It's staying current by engaging in lifelong learning. It's if you're doing that on a for your own, just for your own knowledge or work requirements. You're most likely going to do everything you need to retain your credential. The good news is, we've actually taken steps to make, you know, as if you've applied and recently signed up for the exam. It's a lot easier than it used to be. No more spreadsheets, spreadsheets, no more points, counting Amy anymore. We don't have to do that. It is a lot simpler it is, you know. You do need to track it somehow, and in our industry. We all love our spreadsheets. I don't mean to denigrate that, but it's not a requirement anymore. If you are again, as Amy said, if you're volunteering. If you're participating in continuing professional development and related to Cecpd for healthcare, if you are taking courses, if you're working in formal, are you working on your master's, and it relates, are you working on your Phd. And it relates, are you volunteering? Are you a surveyor for an accrediting body that absolutely qualifies. By the way, if you aren't a surveyor, you absolutely should. It's fantastic professional development. But are you reading the JCCIP? Are you Almanac? Are you? How are you engaging to stay up to date? All of that will help you become, and a better employee, a better CE professional, and maintain your certification.
MM: Excellent, excellent. Those are actually really good points, especially about creating the system, to set a reminder, and most importantly, making sure that you posted on social media, because if it's not on social media, it did not happen. All right. So as we wrap up both Amy and Susan. Do you have any words of encouragement for those who plan to take the actual exam in the future? And how can interested members get involved with the CHCP exam development process or the CHCP Commission.
AB: Sure, so people should know that the eligibility to sit for the CHCP wxam. Has become much more accessible in the past. Many people found the eligibility requirements to be a barrier because their job roles didn't allow them to meet certain criteria. The good news is that these requirements have now been adjusted, making it easier for more individuals to qualify for the exam. So go to the website, take a look at what those eligibility requirements are, and start the process.
SY: To borrow the old catchphrase or marketing tagline, "Just do it." If you are, if you're listening to this, podcast let's be real, you are probably have enough experience and engagement to pass the exam. You know it. Achieving your Chp is bragging rights. It's proof to your employer and to your colleagues. You know your stuff and you are dedicated to helping your healthcare team stay current. This, I believe, when at the time of this taping we. The window is open. Alliance is looking for volunteers. So reach out to the Alliance staff. Go to the website, look for those volunteer opportunities. CIf this is, I know I'm very passionate about it. Very fortunate. Come, join me in my CE Nerdiness, and embrace the CHCP. If it's developing the exams serving on the Commission serving on an eligibility review committee, lots of opportunities to volunteer that way and get involved, and that participation counts towards your CHCP.
MM: All right. So what resources does the Alliance offer for interested individuals who want to prepare for the exam?
SY: The Alliance has a number of resources available. There are the CPD cornerstone modules, which is a webinar series. There are, you can purchase, and it is for purchase a sample exam. It's a smaller scaled representation for lack of a better word of the exam. There is new flashcards but participate in alliance activities. The Annual Conference, of course, is a wealth just their general, up-to-date town halls. Other resources like that is a great place to start.
AB: Yeah, excellent. And in addition to those great resources, there's many ways to prepare for the exam. It's all about finding what works best for you. Some of our listeners might prefer studying alone while others might thrive in a group setting. Personally, I prepared by creating my own study, guide the CHCP exam. Website offers a detailed content outline of the Exam structure that I use this outline to craft my own study guide and it might be a good approach for some of you. Just like how some people find it easier to stick to an exercise routine with a buddy studying with others can help keep you accountable. You might consider setting up a group with colleagues or friends, or in your work setting even as you prepare for the exam, each person may be taking a section of the outline and then sharing it with each other. In addition to to what Susan mentioned, could tap into online forums and prep courses those kinds of things. But whether you choose to study solo or with a group, the key is to find a method that suits your learning, style.
MM: Excellent, all right. Well, thank you so much, both Amy and Susan, for joining me, and also, most importantly, thank you for sharing your insights and your guidance, because I know that this is very important and very useful to everyone. So to our listeners. if you're interested in pursuing the CHCP. Or want to learn how to get more involved, visit the alliance website for resources and updates. And until next time, thank you for tuning in to the Alliance Podcast, continuing conversations.