An Update from the Healthcare Quality Certification Commission
February 10, 2026Share:
This message is on behalf of the Healthcare Quality Certification Commission (HQCC), the certifying arm of NAHQ. The HQCC establishes policies, procedures, and standards that guide the Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality® (CPHQ) program. As the CPHQ continues to grow globally, we want to provide greater clarity about how we protect the integrity of both the exam process and the credential itself.
When applying for the CPHQ exam, all candidates attest to the candidate declaration found on page 10 of the International and Domestic Candidate Handbooks. Notably, this declaration requires that candidates acknowledge that they may “be disqualified from taking or continuing to sit for an examination or from receiving examination scores if the HQCC/NAHQ determines through either proctor observation or statistical analysis that (they) engaged in collaborative, disruptive, or other prohibited behavior during the administration of the examination.”
Acknowledgement of receipt and understanding of the NAHQ Code of Ethics, to which all NAHQ members and CPHQs are bound, is also part of this declaration.
To support a fair and equitable testing environment, the HQCC partners with a third‑party organization to review exam results, which may include routine forensic analyses on exam administrations. These analyses help identify unusual patterns in test‑taker responses that may indicate concerns such as irregular testing behavior or unauthorized access to exam content. These steps are standard practice in accredited certification programs and are essential to ensuring every candidate’s score is earned under the same conditions. These indices can detect possible proxy testing, cheating, collusion, or item harvesting, all of which are considered Improper Conduct as defined in the CPHQ Disciplinary Policies and Procedures.
Pursuant to the CPHQ Disciplinary Policies and Procedures, the HQCC may open a formal evaluation of a candidate’s exam attempt. This review process exists to protect the value of the credential for all who hold it. Based on the review and recommendation(s) of the HQCC Disciplinary Committee, the HQCC may take action against any candidate deemed to have engaged in improper conduct, whether intentional or not. Disciplinary action may include withholding an exam score and negating the exam attempt, revoking the CPHQ credential or NAHQ membership, and prohibiting future attempts at taking the CPHQ exam. Individuals may also be banned from engaging with NAHQ in the future.
All candidates whose exam attempt is under disciplinary review receive official communication from the HQCC via email upon being flagged and again once a final decision is reached and sanctions enacted. Opportunities for appeal, as applicable, are outlined in these communications. Because protecting the integrity of the CPHQ credential is paramount, all communication about any exam-related review is handled directly with the individual involved. We do not discuss these matters on social media or in public forums.
Further, any communication to NAHQ or the HQCC, whether verbal or written, that raises safety concerns for staff, volunteers, vendors, or representatives may be referred to legal counsel or appropriate authorities.
We share this information in the spirit of transparency and to reinforce our commitment to upholding the highest standards for the CPHQ program. As the only accredited certification in healthcare quality, the integrity of the exam and the credential is essential to ensuring that CPHQs are recognized globally for their knowledge and practical competence.
Further, NAHQ and the HQCC are committed to protecting the integrity of the program and ensuring that those who earn the credential are held to the highest standards and rigor, and that organizations employing/considering employing CPHQs- along with the communities they serve- have confidence in their knowledge, abilities and practical competence. These safeguards help strengthen confidence among employers, organizations, and the communities that rely on healthcare quality professionals every day.
For transparency and clarity, we encourage all candidates and certificants to review the current CPHQ Candidate Handbooks and relevant HQCC policies and procedures.
There is a roadmap to healthcare Quality excellence. NAHQ can help you follow it.
The NAHQ Healthcare Quality Competency Framework™ serves as the industry-standard, defining the Quality Safety competencies, skills and behaviors required to advance Quality & Safety excellence across the healthcare continuum.
This expert-created, data-informed framework is continuously validated and updated by NAHQ to ensure it provides the most up-to-date information, guiding professionals, organizations, and the healthcare industry to create a competent, coordinated workforce prepared to deliver healthcare excellence.
