What is a Certified Professional in Human Factors in Health Care (CPHFH)?

The Certified Professional in Human Factors in Health Care (CPHFH) credential establishes core standards for the field of human factors in health care, benchmarks competencies necessary for health care professionals, and sets an expected proficiency level. Certification requires a combination of education and experience, as well as successful completion of the evidence-based certification exam.

What is the difference between a certification and a certificate?

A certification demonstrates a validated level of expertise, typically through a formal examination process. Earning a certification - such as the CPHFH credential - confirms that you possess the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to perform a specific role. It often involves meeting eligibility criteria, passing a standardized exam, and fulfilling ongoing continuing education requirements.

A certificate reflects the successful completion of an educational course or program designed to build knowledge or skills. For example, completing the CPHFH review course results in a certificate that indicates you participated in and learned from the course, but it does not independently verify your ability to apply that knowledge in practice.

For more information on the difference between a certification and a certificate, visit the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (I.C.E.).

Who is the certifying body behind CPHFH?

The CPHFH examination is administered by the Certification Board for Professionals in Patient Safety (CBPPS). The CBPPS is an elected governing body responsible for the strategic and fiduciary oversight of the CPPS, CPHFH, CPAFH, and CPCHE certification programs. The board's chief responsibility is to develop and administer evidence-based examinations that enable candidates to demonstrate their competency in each respective field.

Are there prerequisites or eligibility requirements to sit for the exam?

Candidates for the CPHFH credential are those who include human factors practices as an integral component of current or future professional responsibilities. Candidates must also possess academic and professional experience at one of the following levels:

• Diploma (e.g., associates, bachelors), plus 3 years of experience in Human Factors in Health Care Related Field over five years (either full time or part-time)
• Master/Doctorate in Human Factors Related Field, plus 1 year of full-time experience or 2 years of part time experience in Human Factors in Health Care Related Field over five years

What is the fee to sit for the CPHFH examination?

The CPHFH exam fee is $549. For international candidates, the CPHFH exam fee is US $649.

Is funding available to help me pursue my CPHFH?

Many employers are willing to financially support employees looking to grow professionally; certification candidates should reach out to their supervisor and/or human resources department to inquire if such funding is available. The following resources are available to certification candidates looking to request professional development funding from their employer.

• CPHFH Certification Justification Letter Template
• Expenses and Benefits Worksheet

CBPPS sponsors a small number of annual scholarships each year. Any professional working in or around health care who is able to demonstrate need and meets the exam eligibility requirements is encouraged to apply. Application dates, requirements, and details can be found on our program homepage.

What is tested on the CPHFH examination?

Candidates are tested on three core human factors domains: Assess and Analyze; Design; and Improve and Monitor. The vast majority of questions test application and analysis, while a small percentage test for recall.

How can I obtain a CPHFH Candidate Handbook and application?

The CPHFH Candidate Handbook is available for download, or call our authorized testing partner, PSI Candidate Services​ at (833) 333-4755. An application is included in the Candidate Handbook. Mail the completed application and appropriate fee to PSI ​at the address indicated on the application, or apply and register online.

Can I apply for the CPHFH examination online?

Yes, a candidate who pays the examination fee by credit card may apply online and schedule an appointment to test through the PSI website.

• Visit the PSI certification website
• On the main page click "Find Your Test"
• From the "Browse by Industry" section choose "Health Care"
• Find and choose "Certification Board for Professionals in Patient Safety (CBPPS)"
• Click “View Available Tests”
• Choose "Certified Professional in Human Factors in Health Care Examination (CPHFH)"
• Select "Login/Register"
• Click "Create Account" near the top of the page.
• Fill in the required information and schedule your exam 

How can I prepare for the exam?

To prepare for the exam, we provide candidates with a detailed exam content outline, resource list and self-assessment exam (SAE) or practice exam. The SAE is offered through our testing partner, PSI, and may be purchased on the PSI website.

IHI also offers a CPHFH Review Course in various formats throughout the year (in-person, self-paced, and live webinar). This course can help participants prepare for the exam by reviewing domain content areas and test-taking strategies.

Live Webinars
Join expert-led, interactive sessions over two days to review CPHFH domains, learn test strategies, and ask questions in real time.

On-Demand Course
Study at your own pace with a comprehensive, self-guided course aligned with the CPHFH exam content.

CBPPS does not endorse resources designed to prepare candidates to take the certification exam. Completion of the SAE is optional and not required to take or pass the certification exam. Taking the SAE/practice exam or review course does not guarantee a passing score or improved performance on the exam.  

Is there a practice exam? How is it scored? How can I order it?

A practice exam is available for purchase from PSI. Note: This is also referred to as the self-assessment exam (SAE), described above. The practice exam should be regarded as a diagnostic tool to assess strengths and weaknesses, rather than a study guide for the examination. Upon purchase, the practice exam is available for a period of 60 days from the date of purchase, or until all 50 questions have been answered. At the time of completion, candidates receive a numerical score for each content area, as well as a summary including each question in its entirety, along with their response and the correct answer for each.

CBPPS does not endorse resources designed to prepare candidates to take the certification exam. Completion of the SAE is optional and not required to take or pass the certification exam. Taking the SAE/practice exam or review course does not guarantee a passing score or improved performance on the exam.   

Will the IHI Open School Patient Safety Curriculum help me prepare for the CPHFH exam?​

The IHI Open School ​Patient Safety Curriculum is an important foundational course in patient safety science, but it is not meant to be preparatory for the exam.

What is the passing score? How is the passing score determined?

The passing score for the examination is 500. Scores ranges from 200 to 800. The passing score for the examination is determined by using a process known as the Angoff method, in which experts in the field estimate the difficulty of each item on the examination for the minimally qualified candidate. These judgments are averaged to determine the minimum passing score, which represents the amount of knowledge a minimally qualified candidate would likely demonstrate on the examination. The results of these ratings are presented to the exam development committee to determine the final passing score.