CPHQ Practice Test 2026 — Free CPHQ Exam Prep Questions
The CPHQ is NAHQ's credential for healthcare quality professionals working in quality, performance improvement, patient safety, data analytics, accreditation and risk roles. Our practice questions follow the seven-domain CPHQ content outline and include worked quality statistics, control-chart interpretation and patient safety scenarios, with an explanation for every option.
During a patient surge, a hospital lets the bed management nurse with the most current knowledge of unit capacity make placement decisions, even when senior executives are present in the command center. Which high-reliability principle does this BEST illustrate?
CPHQ format, scoring & key facts
Computer-based, at PSI test centers or online with PSI live remote proctoring. One question appears per screen; you can bookmark questions, return to them and change answers within the 3-hour limit. A calculator is provided within the testing platform, although NAHQ says it is not necessary; personal calculators, notes and references are not allowed.
| Questions | 140 multiple choice (125 scored, 15 unscored pretest), four options each |
|---|---|
| Time | 3 hours |
| Content outline | Seven domains (outline effective March 15, 2023): Quality Leadership and Integration (19), Performance and Process Improvement (27), Population Health and Care Transitions (11), Health Data Analytics (26), Patient Safety (18), Quality Review and Accountability (16), Regulatory and Accreditation (8) |
| Cognitive levels | About 23% recall, 57% application and 20% analysis |
| Passing score | 600 on a 200–800 scale |
| Delivery | PSI test centers or live remote proctoring, year-round for US candidates |
| Calculator | Provided on screen (not necessary); no personal calculators or references |
| Eligibility | No formal eligibility requirement; the exam is written for professionals with about 2 years performing the outline tasks |
| Fee | $500 Standard and CPHQ Members, $357 Premium Members, $714 nonmembers |
| Retakes | After 14 days; up to 3 attempts in 365 days |
| Renewal | Every 2 years with 30 CE hours and a recertification fee |
Facts last verified Nov 3, 2026. Source: cdn.nahq.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/2026-US-handbook_V.2026.6.pdf. Always confirm details with NAHQ before your exam.
When can you take the CPHQ?
US candidates apply and pay online at nahq.org, then have 90 days to schedule and take the exam at a PSI test center (by appointment, Monday to Friday, with some evening and Saturday times) or online. You can reschedule within your 90 days up to 48 hours before the appointment.
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What the CPHQ covers
Every PrepBanq CPHQ test mirrors the official domain weights.
Domain distribution
% of the exam| Content domain | Weight | ≈ Questions on exam | Our practice questions |
|---|---|---|---|
Quality Leadership and IntegrationStrategic planning, quality governance, priorities and action plans, culture of quality and safety, stakeholder and governing-body engagement, and interprofessional teamwork (19 of 125 scored items). | 15.2% | ~19 | 23 questions → |
Performance and Process ImprovementImprovement training and communication, teams and scope, leading change, Lean, PDSA and Six Sigma methods, quality tools such as fishbone diagrams, FMEA and process maps, and evaluating project success (27 items). | 21.6% | ~27 | 32 questions → |
Population Health and Care TransitionsPopulation health data and management strategies, prevention and disease management, health equity and social determinants of health, and improving care transitions (11 items). | 8.8% | ~11 | 13 questions → |
Health Data AnalyticsData management systems, measure development and sampling, data validation, benchmarking, scorecards and dashboards, data visualization, descriptive and inferential statistics, and statistical process control (26 items). | 20.8% | ~26 | 31 questions → |
Patient SafetySafety technology, culture of safety, human factors and high reliability, event reporting, sentinel event review, root cause analysis and proactive risk assessment (18 items). | 14.4% | ~18 | 22 questions → |
Quality Review and AccountabilityStandards and best practices, clinical guidelines and outcomes, quality-based payment programs, documentation, practitioner performance evaluation, patient experience, reportable events and confidentiality of quality records (16 items). | 12.8% | ~16 | 19 questions → |
Regulatory and AccreditationAccreditation, certification and recognition options, statutory and regulatory requirements, compliance monitoring and survey readiness (8 items). | 6.4% | ~8 | 10 questions → |
How to register for the CPHQ
Retake policy
You may reapply 14 days after your exam date and test up to three times in 365 days; after a third attempt you must wait 365 days. Each retake needs a new application and the full fee.
Score release
An unofficial pass/fail result and scaled score appear on screen when you finish and in your NAHQ account, with percent correct for each of the seven content categories. Passing candidates then receive the CPHQ digital badge by email.
Credential renewal
Certification lasts 2 years, beginning January 1 of the year after you pass. Recertify with 30 continuing education hours over the 2-year cycle related to the current content outline, plus a recertification fee.
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CPHQ FAQ
How many questions are on the CPHQ?
The CPHQ has 140 questions (125 of them scored) and you have 3 hours to finish. Question types: Objective multiple choice with four options (A, B, C or D) and one answer. 125 questions are scored and 15 are unscored pretest questions dispersed through the exam. About 23% of questions test recall, 57% application and 20% analysis..
How long is the CPHQ exam?
Testing time for the CPHQ is 3 hours.
What is the passing score for the CPHQ?
CPHQ passing standard: 600 on a scale of 200 to 800. Pass or fail is based on your overall raw score on the 125 scored questions; the passing point was set with the Angoff method and forms are statistically equated. Score range: 200–800.
How much does the CPHQ cost?
The CPHQ registration fee is $500 for Standard and CPHQ Members, $357 for Premium Members and $714 for nonmembers when paid online by credit card ($25 more by mailed check). Fees are nonrefundable and nontransferable.. Check the official site for current fees before you register.
What is on the CPHQ?
The CPHQ covers Quality Leadership and Integration (about 15.2%), Performance and Process Improvement (about 21.6%), Population Health and Care Transitions (about 8.8%), Health Data Analytics (about 20.8%), Patient Safety (about 14.4%), Quality Review and Accountability (about 12.8%), Regulatory and Accreditation (about 6.4%).
Who administers the CPHQ?
The Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) Exam is administered by NAHQ. Delivery: Computer-based, at PSI test centers or online with PSI live remote proctoring. One question appears per screen; you can bookmark questions, return to them and change answers within the 3-hour limit. A calculator is provided within the testing platform, although NAHQ says it is not necessary; personal calculators, notes and references are not allowed..
Can you retake the CPHQ?
You may reapply 14 days after your exam date and test up to three times in 365 days; after a third attempt you must wait 365 days. Each retake needs a new application and the full fee.
Is there a free CPHQ practice test?
Yes. PrepBanq has 15 free CPHQ practice tests with 150 exam-style questions in the real CPHQ formats, and every answer is explained. No credit card is needed.
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