Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) Certification Training

This 30-hour Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) certification preparation course is designed in alignment with the National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ) CPHQ Body of Knowledge. Delivered as 30 focused one-hour sessions, the program supports busy healthcare professionals seeking a flexible and structured approach to certification preparation while strengthening practical quality and patient safety competencies.

The course covers all major CPHQ content domains, including quality leadership and structure, performance and process improvement, patient safety and risk management, data management and analysis, population health, care coordination and regulatory and accreditation requirements. Instruction emphasizes practical application through healthcare-based scenarios, quality measurement interpretation, root cause analysis and improvement methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma and PDSA.

By the end of the program, participants will be well prepared to sit for the NAHQ CPHQ certification exam and apply healthcare quality principles to drive measurable improvements in patient safety, outcomes and organizational performance.

1. Quality Leadership and Integration

• Strategic Planning & Goal Setting
• Governance, Organizational Structures, and Leadership Roles
• Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration
• Resource Allocation and Budgeting
• Education, Training, and Communication (staff education, dissemination of quality info, change management)
• Integration of Quality Improvement across Departments



2. Performance and Process Improvement

• Identifying Opportunities for Improvement
• Lean, Six Sigma, PDSA Cycles, and Other QI Methodologies
• Root Cause Analysis, Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
• Implementation Planning & Change Management
• Evaluation, Monitoring, and Sustaining Improvements
• Benchmarking and Best Practices



3. Health Data Analytics

• Data Collection, Management, and Design of Data Systems
• Measurement & Analysis (descriptive statistics, trend analysis, SPC charts)
• Data Interpretation and Visualization (dashboards, reports)
• Benchmarking & Comparative Analytics
• Health Information Technology Integration (EHR, registries, data warehouses)



4. Patient Safety

• Safety Culture & Leadership in Safety
• Human Factors and Systems Thinking
• Safety Risk Assessment and Management
• Incident Reporting, RCA, and FMEA
• Safety Technology and Decision Support Tools
• Monitoring and Evaluating Safety Outcomes



5. Population Health and Care Transitions

• Population Health Management Strategies
• Care Coordination & Continuity of Care
• Social Determinants of Health & Health Equity
• Prevention, Wellness, and Chronic Disease Management
• Transitions of Care, Discharge Planning, and Readmission Reduction



6. Quality Review and Accountability

• Clinical Practice Guidelines and Protocols
• Documentation and Medical Record Review
• Patient Experience & Satisfaction Measurement
• Quality Monitoring, Audits, and Reporting
• External Reporting & Benchmarking
• Accountability Mechanisms and Corrective Action Plans



7. Regulatory and Accreditation / External Recognition

• Accreditation Standards (TJC, ISO, local regulatory frameworks)
• Compliance Management and Audits
• Policy & Procedure Development
• Risk Management & Legal Considerations
• External Recognition Programs & Benchmarking
• Preparing for Surveys and Inspections



8. Practice Tests and Exam Preparation

• Full-Length Mock Exams
• Domain-Based Practice Questions
• Review of Correct and Incorrect Responses
• Exam Strategies and Time Management Techniques
• Study Plans and Revision Frameworks
• Final Knowledge Check & Readiness Assessment

• Education Requirement: Must have a high school diploma, associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or higher from an accredited institution.
• Work Experience: At least three years of full-time work experience in healthcare quality or a related field if you have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
• If you have an associate degree, at least five years of full-time work experience is required.
• If you have only a high school diploma, at least six years of full-time work experience is required.
• Professional Responsibilities: Experience should include participation in quality improvement, patient safety, risk management, performance measurement, or other healthcare quality-related functions.
• Membership: Membership in the Healthcare Quality Certification Board (HQCB) or related professional organizations is recommended but not required.
• Exam Application: Candidates must submit a completed application verifying education and work experience before being approved to take the exam.

• Healthcare quality professionals (quality managers, quality improvement coordinators)
• Medical directors and clinical leaders
• Senior nurses and nurse managers involved in quality initiatives
• Risk managers and patient safety officers
• Physicians and doctors involved in quality or safety programs
• Lab directors and technicians involved in laboratory quality management
• Accreditation officers and compliance professionals
• Health system administrators involved in performance measurement

• Exam Format: Computer-based multiple-choice exam.
• Number of Questions: 125 multiple-choice questions (including 25 pre-test questions that are not scored).
• Exam Duration: 3 hours.
• Passing Score: Determined using a scaled scoring method; candidates are informed if they passed or failed.
• Languages: English only.
• Exam Content Domains:
  • Quality Management and Leadership
  • Health Data Analytics and Information Management
  • Performance and Process Improvement
  • Patient Safety and Risk Management
  • Regulatory and Accreditation Compliance
• Exam Fee: Typically around $679 for non-members; discounted fees available for NAHQ members.
• Eligibility to Take Exam: Must meet education and work experience prerequisites.
• Recertification: Every 3 years via continuing education or re-examination.

As healthcare organizations focus on improving patient outcomes, safety and regulatory compliance, the demand for professionals skilled in healthcare quality and performance improvement continues to grow. The Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ®) certification is the only nationally recognized credential dedicated to healthcare quality management.

The CPHQ® certification validates expertise in healthcare quality leadership, performance improvement, patient safety, data analytics and regulatory standards. It equips professionals with the skills needed to drive quality initiatives, improve care delivery and support organizational excellence across healthcare settings.

CPHQ® certification offers strong career and salary advantages. Certified professionals are highly valued in hospitals, healthcare systems, clinics, insurance providers and public health organizations.

• 1. CPHQ-certified professionals typically earn 10–20% higher salaries compared to non-certified peers.
• 2. In the United States, CPHQ professionals often earn between $80,000 and $115,000+ per year, depending on role and experience.
• 3. Senior roles such as Healthcare Quality Manager, Patient Safety Officer, Performance Improvement Director, and Quality Consultant can command salaries exceeding $125,000 per year.

Beyond salary benefits, CPHQ® certification enhances professional credibility, demonstrates a strong commitment to patient safety and quality standards and strengthens your ability to lead data-driven quality improvement initiatives.

By earning CPHQ® certification, you position yourself as a healthcare quality professional capable of improving outcomes, ensuring compliance and driving continuous improvement in today’s evolving healthcare environment.

CPHQ‑certified healthcare professional with extensive experience delivering structured training for international healthcare certifications, including CPHQ, CPPS, CPC, CIC as well as OET and IELTS. She provides comprehensive guidance and practical insights that help learners confidently prepare for and excel in these international healthcare exams.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand key healthcare quality and patient safety principles.
• Use data and metrics to improve healthcare processes.
• Apply tools like Lean, Six Sigma, PDSA and root cause analysis in real situations.
• Know and follow healthcare regulations and accreditation standards.
• Get ready for the CPHQ exam with many practice tests and scenario-based exercises.