Certified Health Care Facility Manager Resources

The Certified Health Care Facility Manager (CHFM) exam features questions organized into five broad domains: compliance; planning, design, and construction; maintenance and operations; finance; and administration. ASHE is working to develop a list of resources useful to those preparing for the exam, and the list below is an initial version. ASHE will continue to develop this list as members provide feedback and suggestions for improvement.

Why should you become a CHFM?

Verify your extensive knowledge of critical systems in the physical health care environment

a hand adjusting the controls on a piece of equipment

Keep up with best practices in the health care facility management field

a man writing on a clipboard in a maintenance room

Ensure you are prepared for inspections and audits from ruling authorities

Share your CHFM Story – Don's Story

Meet Don Page, Director of Engineering, 2024 ASHE Advisory Board Member and a Certified Health Care Facility Manager! Don wanted to earn his CHFM because his stand-alone facility "relies on me for direction related to compliance, budgeting, and overall maintenance for the organization. The CHFM made me a better facility director when situations arise that need to be addressed."

Read Don's Story Share Your Story

While the following resources may be helpful in preparing for the exam, though this is not a complete list and this reading material does not cover exam questions directly. ASHE does not have access to the questions on the exam, which is offered through the AHA Certification Center. This list is intended to be a starting point for those interested in studying for the CHFM exam, as well as a list of general reading for all health care facility professionals.

If you are not sure which materials you should focus on, consider starting by reading the detailed domains in the CHFM Candidate Handbook and Application or by taking the CHFM Self-Assessment Exam to find your strengths and weaknesses. If you are not yet an ASHE member, consider joining to gain access to the members-only resources and discounts listed below.

Recommended Areas of Focus for the CHFM Exam

Compliance
- Reading materials:
  - NFPA 101 Handbook, 2012 Edition
  - NFPA 99 Handbook, 2012 Edition
  - FGI Guidelines for the Design and Construction of Hospitals and Outpatient Facilities
  - Medical Gas Cylinder and Bulk Tank Storage (Monograph; free download for ASHE members)
- Education programs:
  - Application of NFPA 99 in Health Care Facilities e-learning course (ASHE members get $100 discount)
  - Managing Life Safety (2012 edition) e-learning course (ASHE members get $50 discount)
  - Managing Accreditation in the Physical Environment (available as a hosted program)
- On Demand recordings (available only to ASHE members):
  - Test Your Code Knowledge: An Interactive Q&A Discussion of Regulatory Codes (from 2015 PDC Summit)
  - Test Your Code Knowledge: An Interactive Discussion of Regulatory Codes (from 2015 Annual Conference)
  - Test Your Code Knowledge: An Interactive Q&A Discussion of Regulatory Codes (from 2015 PDC Summit)

Health Care Project Management
- Reading materials:
  - Mechanical Systems for Health Care Facilities (ASHE members get $30 discount)
  - Electrical Systems Handbook for Health Care Facilities (ASHE members get $30 discount)
  - Health Facility Commissioning Handbook (ASHE members get $30 discount)
  - Roofing: Basics and Beyond (Monograph; ASHE members get free download)
  - Health Facility Design Information Checklist (Monograph; ASHE members get free download)
  - Managing Hospital Electrical Shutdowns (Monograph; ASHE members get free download)
  - Construction Management of Healthcare Projects
- On Demand recordings (available only to ASHE members):

Maintenance and Operations
- Reading materials:
  - Maintenance Management for Health Care Facilities (ASHE members get $30 discount)
  - Mechanical Systems for Health Care Facilities (ASHE members get $30 discount)
  - Electrical Systems Handbook for Health Care Facilities (ASHE members get $30 discount)
  - Health Facility Commissioning Handbook (ASHE members get $30 discount)
  - Managing Hospital Electrical Shutdowns (Monograph; ASHE members get free download)
  - Managing Hospital Emergency Power Systems (Monograph; ASHE members get free download)
- On Demand recordings (available only to ASHE members):

Finance Management
- Reading materials:
  - The Facility Manager's Guide to Finance and Budgeting
- On Demand recordings (available only to ASHE members):

Administration
- Reading materials:
  - The Facility Management Handbook 4th Edition
- On Demand recordings (available only to ASHE members):
- Additional resources for further reading:

Exam Preparation/Readiness Review

The American Hospital Association Certification Center contracts with PSI to administer the CHFM exam. Candidates can schedule their exam with PSI at an approved testing center or they can schedule a live-remote proctored exam with PSI. Learn more about testing logistics for the CHFM exam.

Veteran Benefits

If you qualify for VA benefits, you can get the cost of the CHFM exam covered!

After you register and pay for the exam of your choice, fill out an Application for Reimbursement of Licensing or Certification Test Fees (VA Form 22-0803). Send the completed application and proof of payment to your Regional Processing Office. If you need help, call the VA toll-free at 1-888-422-4551 or visit the VA website.

CHFM Exam Review Course

Through a combination of lecture, CHFM exam-simulated practice test questions, and study materials, you will feel more confident to take the CHFM exam and also review best practices for taking a computer-based test.

ASHE members get a $100 discount.

Learn More

CHFM Self-Assessment Examination & Flashcards

Use this self-assessment exam, or these flash cards to gain an understanding of what areas you might need to cover more in your preparation for the CHFM exam.

ASHE members get a discount.

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CHFM Candidate Handbook & Application

Access the CHFM candidate handbook to learn more about the exam, exam preparation tactics and more.

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