CHA Certified Hospice Administrator Examination, Society of Quality Assurance (SQA)

What is the CHA Certification?

The CHA Certified Hospice Administrator Examination is your golden ticket into the upper echelon of hospice leadership. Designed for experienced professionals in hospice care, this certification proves your expertise in managing hospice organizations with integrity, compassion, and strategic insight.

Think of it as a seal of excellence—like Michelin stars, but for administrators improving end-of-life care.

Why Certification Matters in Hospice Administration

Hospice care is about dignity, empathy, and precision. A CHA certification tells the world you don’t just manage—you lead with purpose. With increasing scrutiny on healthcare outcomes and compliance, certified administrators are more in demand than ever.

Overview of the Society of Quality Assurance (SQA)

The Society of Quality Assurance (SQA) is the powerhouse behind the CHA certification. Known for upholding quality standards across healthcare sectors, they ensure that hospice administrators are not just experienced—but exceptional.

SQA’s Mission and Vision

SQA’s mission is simple yet profound: to promote and advance the principles of quality assurance in regulated healthcare and life sciences.

Their vision? A future where patient-focused quality defines every facet of care—including hospice.

SQA’s Role in Hospice Standards

SQA contributes to setting rigorous yet realistic standards for hospice administration. Their certification program ensures leaders understand:

State & federal regulations
Patient care protocols
Ethical decision-making frameworks

They’re like the referees of quality in a field where the stakes are human dignity.

Eligibility Requirements for CHA Examination

Not just anyone can become a Certified Hospice Administrator. And that’s a good thing.

Education Criteria

Candidates must hold at least a Bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration, nursing, public health, or a related field. Master’s degree? Even better.

Work Experience Requirements

You’ll need:

3+ years of experience in hospice management
Leadership roles involving compliance, HR, patient care, or budgeting

Hands-on experience matters here. This isn’t a “fake it ‘til you make it” scenario.

Membership & Application Process

While not mandatory, joining SQA gives applicants access to:

Practice exams
Study sessions
Peer networking

The application process includes:

Proof of degree and experience
Application form + fee
Scheduling the exam through SQA’s portal

Exam Format and Structure

Knowing what you’re walking into is half the battle.

Types of Questions

The CHA exam includes:

100–125 multiple choice questions
Real-life scenario-based questions
Regulation interpretation questions

Time Allocation and Scoring

You’ll have 3 hours to complete the exam. Most questions are worth one point, with a passing score typically around 75%.

Subject Areas Covered

Ethics & Compliance
Finance & Budgeting
Operations & Leadership
Patient Safety & Quality Assurance

Key Domains Covered in the CHA Exam

Let’s break it down further.

Regulatory Compliance & Ethics

HIPAA compliance
CMS regulations
End-of-life ethical dilemmas

Clinical Operations Management

Staff scheduling
Managing interdisciplinary teams
Patient satisfaction & outcomes

Quality Assurance and Risk Management

Incident reporting systems
Developing QA policies
Accreditation standards

Leadership and Financial Management

Budget forecasting
Fundraising
Leadership communication styles

Study Resources and Prep Tips

Success is all about preparation.

Top Study Guides and Books

Hospice Administrator’s Handbook
Leadership in Healthcare: Strategies for Success
SQA’s official CHA Study Guide

Online Courses and Practice Tests

Look for:

LinkedIn Learning’s Hospice Management courses
Udemy’s Healthcare Leadership series
SQA’s mock exam portal

Time Management for Studying

Use the Pomodoro Technique, break study sessions into 25-minute blocks, and track your progress using a spreadsheet or study app.

Benefits of Becoming a Certified Hospice Administrator

This certification isn’t just a line on your resume—it’s a door-opener.

Career Advancement Opportunities

With CHA credentials, you’re top-tier material for:

Executive Director roles
Policy advisory positions
Consultant contracts

Increased Earning Potential

Certified administrators often command $10k–$20k more than non-certified peers annually. That's a raise worth studying for.

Professional Recognition

CHA-certified professionals are recognized as leaders of best practices in hospice care—by peers, policymakers, and patients alike.

Renewal and Continuing Education

You’re certified—now what?

Certification Validity Period

The CHA certification is valid for 3 years. After that, renewal is required to stay current.

Required Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

Renewal requires 30 CEUs in relevant subjects such as:

Healthcare ethics
Hospice trends
Regulatory updates

SQA often offers CEU-eligible webinars and workshops.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Let’s be real—it’s tough, but not impossible.

Balancing Work and Study

Pro tip: Study before your workday starts or during lunch breaks. Burnout comes fast if you try to cram everything into weekends.

Handling Exam Anxiety

Practice deep breathing, take mock exams, and remind yourself—you’ve already got the experience.

Finding Study Support Groups

Join SQA’s community forum or LinkedIn groups for aspiring CHAs. Accountability buddies make all the difference.

Success Stories from CHA-Certified Professionals

"I got promoted to Hospice Director just 4 months after getting certified."
— Linda B., Florida

"CHA opened consulting gigs I never imagined. It changed my career trajectory."
— David T., California

Conclusion

If you’re passionate about hospice care and ready to lead with heart and strategy, the CHA Certified Hospice Administrator Examination from the Society of Quality Assurance is your next big step. It’s not just a certification—it’s a commitment to excellence, to patients, and to the future of compassionate care.

FAQs

1. Is the CHA exam hard?
Yes, but manageable with proper prep. It's designed to challenge experienced administrators, not stump newcomers.

2. How often is the exam offered?
SQA typically offers the CHA exam quarterly—check their calendar for upcoming dates.

3. What if I fail the exam?
You can retake it after 90 days. Most people pass on their second attempt with better preparation.

4. Can I take the exam online?
Yes, proctored online options are available for those who qualify.

5. Is CHA certification recognized nationally?
Absolutely. It's respected across the U.S. and often required for top hospice leadership roles.

What is the CHA Certification?

Think of it as a seal of excellence—like Michelin stars, but for administrators improving end-of-life care.

🌟 Why Certification Matters in Hospice Administration

🏢 Overview of the Society of Quality Assurance (SQA)

🔍 SQA’s Mission and Vision

SQA’s mission is simple yet profound: to promote and advance the principles of quality assurance in regulated healthcare and life sciences.

Their vision? A future where patient-focused quality defines every facet of care—including hospice.

📌 SQA’s Role in Hospice Standards

SQA contributes to setting rigorous yet realistic standards for hospice administration. Their certification program ensures leaders understand:

State & federal regulations
Patient care protocols
Ethical decision-making frameworks

They’re like the referees of quality in a field where the stakes are human dignity.

✅ Eligibility Requirements for CHA Examination

Not just anyone can become a Certified Hospice Administrator. And that’s a good thing.

🎓 Education Criteria

Candidates must hold at least a Bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration, nursing, public health, or a related field. Master’s degree? Even better.

🧰 Work Experience Requirements

You’ll need:

3+ years of experience in hospice management
Leadership roles involving compliance, HR, patient care, or budgeting

Hands-on experience matters here. This isn’t a “fake it ‘til you make it” scenario.

📝 Membership & Application Process

While not mandatory, joining SQA gives applicants access to:

Practice exams
Study sessions
Peer networking

The application process includes:

Proof of degree and experience
Application form + fee
Scheduling the exam through SQA’s portal

📋 Exam Format and Structure

Knowing what you’re walking into is half the battle.

❓ Types of Questions

The CHA exam includes:

100–125 multiple choice questions
Real-life scenario-based questions
Regulation interpretation questions

⏰ Time Allocation and Scoring

You’ll have 3 hours to complete the exam. Most questions are worth one point, with a passing score typically around 75%.

📚 Subject Areas Covered

Ethics & Compliance
Finance & Budgeting
Operations & Leadership
Patient Safety & Quality Assurance

📘 Key Domains Covered in the CHA Exam

Let’s break it down further.

⚖️ Regulatory Compliance & Ethics

HIPAA compliance
CMS regulations
End-of-life ethical dilemmas

🏥 Clinical Operations Management

Staff scheduling
Managing interdisciplinary teams
Patient satisfaction & outcomes

📊 Quality Assurance and Risk Management

Incident reporting systems
Developing QA policies
Accreditation standards

💰 Leadership and Financial Management

Budget forecasting
Fundraising
Leadership communication styles

📖 Study Resources and Prep Tips

Success is all about preparation.

📚 Top Study Guides and Books

Hospice Administrator’s Handbook
Leadership in Healthcare: Strategies for Success
SQA’s official CHA Study Guide

💻 Online Courses and Practice Tests

Look for:

LinkedIn Learning’s Hospice Management courses
Udemy’s Healthcare Leadership series
SQA’s mock exam portal

📅 Time Management for Studying

Use the Pomodoro Technique, break study sessions into 25-minute blocks, and track your progress using a spreadsheet or study app.

🎯 Benefits of Becoming a Certified Hospice Administrator

This certification isn’t just a line on your resume—it’s a door-opener.

🚀 Career Advancement Opportunities

With CHA credentials, you’re top-tier material for:

Executive Director roles
Policy advisory positions
Consultant contracts

💵 Increased Earning Potential

Certified administrators often command $10k–$20k more than non-certified peers annually. That's a raise worth studying for.

🏅 Professional Recognition

CHA-certified professionals are recognized as leaders of best practices in hospice care—by peers, policymakers, and patients alike.

🔄 Renewal and Continuing Education

You’re certified—now what?

⏳ Certification Validity Period

The CHA certification is valid for 3 years. After that, renewal is required to stay current.

📑 Required Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

Renewal requires 30 CEUs in relevant subjects such as:

Healthcare ethics
Hospice trends
Regulatory updates

SQA often offers CEU-eligible webinars and workshops.

😅 Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Let’s be real—it’s tough, but not impossible.

⚖️ Balancing Work and Study

Pro tip: Study before your workday starts or during lunch breaks. Burnout comes fast if you try to cram everything into weekends.

🧠 Handling Exam Anxiety

Practice deep breathing, take mock exams, and remind yourself—you’ve already got the experience.

🤝 Finding Study Support Groups