FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why should I become certified by ABQAURP?
What is the difference between ABQAURP and other certification companies?
What is the process for becoming certified?
What happens after I pass the HCQM certification exam, is there a designation that I can use?
How much does it cost to become certified?
Are Group Rates offered for HCQM certification?
Is membership a requirement to sit for the HCQM certification exam?
Can you tell me about the four Sub-Specialty certifications?
What is necessary to maintain the HCQM certification?
What are the eligibility requirements for Health Care Quality Management Certification?
What type of examination is it?
How long will it take to be approved to take the exam?
What credits are accepted?
How long does it take for me to receive the exam scores?


Why should I become certified by ABQAURP?
ABQAURP certification is recognized as a benchmark, demonstrating expertise in the fields of Health Care Quality Management and Patient Safety. ABQAURP-certified professionals are distinguished by their level of skill in analysis, review, case management, and the many areas of health care administration. With today’s emphasis on cost-effective quality health care, health care professionals responsible for adherence to standards of care, quality improvement, and managed care continue to see an increased demand for their professional services. Many insurance and managed care companies require ABQAURP certification for their health care professionals.     .::top::.

What is the difference between ABQAURP and other certification companies?
ABQAURP’s long-standing collaborative relationship with the National Board of Medical Examiners^® (NBME^®). ABQAURP is the only organization with a board certification exam in health care quality and management that is developed, administered, and evaluated in conjunction with the expertise of the NBME^®. Simply stated, ABQAURP's Certified in Health Care Quality and Management (CHCQM) designation is the highest standardized and most respected in the industry.     .::top::.

What is the process for becoming certified?
Exam applications may be downloaded from our website. Applications are to be completed, notarized and forwarded to our office with necessary documentation and licensure information.

Additionally, candidates are required to submit 20 hours of ABQAURP-approved CME/CEU credits to sit for the exam. ABQAURP’s Core Body of Knowledge online course fulfills this requirement and is also a good review tool.

ABQAURP has an application review and approval process in place to assure a timely response for all exam candidates. Once approved, ABQAURP will mail an approval letter. The applicant information is forwarded to the National Board of Medical Examiners^SM; (NBME^SM); this is the entity that will issue the permit. Once the permit is received, you will contact a Prometric^® Testing Center to schedule a date and time to sit for the exam.

To familiarize yourself with the exam, visit the home page of our website, click Certification:    

Choose Exam Highlights for the exam categories and sub-categories.

   

Choose Sample Test questions for an example of exam questions.

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What happens after I pass the HCQM certification exam, is there a designation that I can use?
Yes, all ABQAURP Diplomates are encouraged to use the Certified in Health Care Quality and Management designation (CHCQM). You will receive a Diplomate certificate and Membership Card through the mail. You will also be able to utilize the "ABQAURP Board Certified" logo to better promote your certification. Once you maintain active Diplomate status, you'll also have the distinguished honor of being a Fellow of the American Institute for Healthcare Quality (FAIHQ).     .::top::.

How much does it cost to become certified?
This depends on what is ordered and/or if one becomes a member first. (For instance, a professional may have met the eligibility requirements to sit for the HCQM exam and elect not to take the online Core Body of Knowledge (CBK) Course.) One of the least expensive ways to become HCQM board certified is to first join our membership division, the American Institute for Healthcare Quality (AIHQ), to receive the membership benefits and discounts. AIHQ Members are offered a package discount rate when ordering the Core Body of Knowledge (CBK) online course, the exam application fee, and the HCQM exam fee at the same time. For specific pricing, please call Barbara Chalmers at (800) 998-6030, extension 116.     .::top::.

Are Group Rates offered for HCQM certification?
Yes. A Group Rate Schedule is offered to groups with as few as 5 - 9 individuals. More significant discounts are available to those groups of 10 - 19 individuals and for groups of 20 or more. An educated, knowledgeable health care provider and staff are better equipped to make the best possible decisions. This helps increase efficiency and effectiveness, while reducing errors that may not only save lives, but costs as well. Having a staff board certified by ABQAURP provides your organization the opportunity to promote itself as being proactive in the quality health care and patient safety arena. For specific information on group rates, please call Barbara Chalmers at (800) 998-6030, extension 116.     .::top::.

Is membership a requirement to sit for the HCQM certification exam?
No. You may choose to sit for the HCQM exam as a non-member. However, you may choose to become a member of the American Institute of Healthcare Quality (AIHQ) first to receive discounts on the exam and related fees.     .::top::.

Can you tell me about the four Sub-Specialty certifications?
ABQAURP provides certification in four sub-specialty areas: Patient Safety/Risk Management, Case Management, Managed Care, and Workers’ Compensation. This certification is over and above the HCQM certification, however, sub-specialties do not require a separate exam. Exam candidates must meet the criteria by submitting 24 hours of directly related CE for each sub-specialty in which they are applying. ABQAURP’s Core Body of Knowledge online course provides some CE toward each sub-specialty. Sub-Specialties may be deferred until a later date as to not hold up the application process. Once an exam candidate passes the HCQM exam and becomes an ABQAURP Diplomate, they may apply for a sub-specialty at any time by submitting an application along with appropriate documentation and payment.     .::top::.

What is necessary to maintain the HCQM certification?
To maintain active status, all Diplomates are required to complete 8 hours of ABQAURP-approved continuing education every two (2) years. Diplomates may retake the certification examination in lieu of fulfilling the educational requirement. Additionally, annual membership dues must be paid.     .::top::.

What are the eligibility requirements for Health Care Quality Management Certification?
Candidates must:
   

Hold a current, non-restricted license in each state or territory of the United States in which the candidate is licensed (as applicable to the candidate’s profession), AND

   

Provide documentation of active involvement in Health Care Quality within the past five years, minimum of 208 hours (2 hours per week for two years) in any of the following exam Categories: Quality Improvement, Utilization Management, Risk Management, Case Management/Disease Management, Managed Health Care Systems, or Government (Listed on Application and Verification), AND

   

Two colleagues or supervisors should provide written references, preferably on the forms supplied by ABQAURP in the application packet, AND

   

Complete a minimum of twenty (20) hours of ABQAURP-approved Continuing Education (pertinent to at least one of the exam categories), OR order the ABQAURP Core Body of Knowledge online course, AND

   

Have a professional, working knowledge of the English language.

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What type of examination is it?
Currently, the exam is a compilation of 176 multiple-choice questions. Exam candidates have 3 ½ hours to complete the exam.     .::top::.

How long will it take to be approved to take the exam?
Physician: It takes about four weeks from receipt of the completed application and all supporting documentation. ABQAURP does a background information check, which requires at least 15 working days from the receipt of the application, and then it could take an additional two weeks for the Credentialing Committee’s response.

Nurses and Other Health Care Professionals: Usually about three weeks from receipt of the completed application and all supporting documentation.     .::top::.

One of the eligibility requirements states completion of 20 hours of ABQAURP- approved Continuing Education (pertinent to at least one of the examination categories). What credits are accepted?
Any courses pertaining to Quality Improvement, Utilization Management, Risk Management, Case Management, Managed Care, Workers’ Compensation, courses given by the Joint Commission, as well as NCQA, can be used to fulfill this requirement. Submitting copies of certificates indicating the course subject and the number of credit hours received will provide verification of the 20 hours of credit. ABQAURP’s Core Body of Knowledge online course fulfills this requirement.     .::top::.

How long does it take for me to receive the exam scores?
Exam candidates are notified of pass/fail upon completion of the exam at the testing center. Final results arrive in mid-December at ABQAURP’s office from the National Board of Medical Examiners. As soon as ABQAURP receives the results, they are mailed to the exam candidates. The results of the exam are NEVER given over the phone. These are confidential and are only provided to the examinee by mail.     .::top::.