CHFP Certification Requirements

To become HFMA certified, you must complete all of the following requirements. Successfully completing the exams is just one of the requirements for certification.

Membership

Be a current regular or advanced member of HFMA for at least two years total. (Student membership does not count toward the membership requirement.) These do not need to be two consecutive years. HFMA will verify your membership status. You must be a current member to retain your designation.

Exams

To take the CHFP exams, you must be a current HFMA member. You must successfully complete the Core exam and one specialty exam (Accounting and Finance, Patient Financial Services, Financial Management of Physician Practices, or Managed Care) within a 24-month period. Exams must be completed within one year of submitting an application for that exam or the fee paid will be forfeited.

CHFP Exam Candidate Handbook This handbook outlines all the policies and procedures for the certification exams that exam candidates agree to abide by as part of the CHFP exam application process.

CHFP Exam Application To attest that you have met all requirements to become a Certified Healthcare Professional (CHFP), a CHFP application must be submitted with the required fee. Processing of the application takes sixty (60) to ninety (90) days. Certificates are mailed to the HFMA Chapter President for distribution in a manner of their choice. This application must be submitted within 24 months of completing the first of the two required exams.

Education

Complete a minimum of 60 semester hours at an accredited college or university that is accredited by agencies recognized by the US Department of Education (DoE) and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). As proof of completion, submit a copy of your transcript or diploma/degree.

Alternatively, you may complete 60 hours of relevant professional development activities as measured in contact hours. (One contact hour equals 50 minutes of continuous professional development activity, excluding breaks and meals). These education activities should be completed within 3 years prior to submitting the CHFP Application.

Professional Experience

Acquire at least two years of experience in healthcare financial management.

References

The candidate is required to obtain two favorable references from the following two persons.

• HFMA Chapter President or other chapter officer.
• Your CEO or immediate supervisor.

If you are a CEO or self-employed, request a client or a HFMA Chapter officer other than the President to submit a written reference that should be submitted with the CHFP application.

These persons are required to complete the reference section on the CHFP applcation.

Affidavit

Your signature and the seal of a notary public are required. The original CHFP application must be mailed to HFMA. Photocopies or faxes are not acceptable.

CHFP Certification Application

Apply for HFMA CHFP Certification (Print the document, complete it, have it notarized and submit it with payment as indicated at the end of the form.)

Submit this application with the one-time only, non-refundable $50 processing fee within 24 months of successfully completing the first of the two required exams (see below) and meeting other requirements for becoming a CHFP. If the application is not accepted, HFMA National will return the application fee.

Processing of Application

Processing of CHFP applications require sixty (60) to ninety (90) days after it is received by HFMA National. If the application is incomplete the candidate will be contacted by HFMA National. If it requires review by the Board of Examiners, it will be reviewed at their next regularly scheduled meeting. Certificates for members achieving certified status are given to Chapter Presidents for presentation. Certificates are not mailed directly to the candidate.

The name on the candidate certificate is the name in the candidate's HFMA member profile. The candidate is responsible for ensuring accuracy of information in their HFMA member profile.

Announcement of Certification Designation

If you would like to notify your supervisor or others of your achievement, consider using the following sample letters.

Requesting a Duplicate Certificate

Request for Duplicate CHFP or FHFMA Certificate Candidates requesting a duplicate or replacement certificate will be charged $25 to cover the expense of the certificate and folder, postage, and administrative resources.

Earning Additional Specialities

If you are already a CHFP, you can take additional specialty exams to add a specialty certification to your qualifications. Additional specialty exams can be taken at any time after becoming a CHFP. If you have successfully completed an additional specialty exam, submit and application with the processing fee.

Maintaining your Designation

You are required to show evidence of maintaining your designation every three years as described here.

For more information about the HFMA Certification Program:

• Send an email to certification@hfma.org
• Call 1-800-252-4362 and ask for certification