CHRM - Certified Professional in Health Care Risk Management
Short Summary
🎓 CHRM – Certified Professional in Health Care Risk Management
The CHRM designation is awarded to healthcare professionals who demonstrate advanced expertise in risk identification, mitigation, and regulatory compliance across clinical, operational, and legal domains.
- Credential Type: Professional Certification
- Provider: Chartered Institute of Management Specialists (CIMS)
- Eligibility: Bachelor's degree + 5–10 years experience in healthcare risk management
- Validity: 3 years (renewable via continuing education or re-examination)
Learn more at charteredims.com
Some Jobs That Benefit Most
Course Description
🎯 Purpose of the CHRM Designation
The CHRM certification is designed to recognize professionals who demonstrate advanced competence in identifying, assessing, and managing risks within healthcare organizations. Its primary goals are to:
- ✅ Promote excellence in healthcare risk management practices
- ✅ Enhance patient safety and regulatory compliance
- ✅ Equip professionals to lead risk mitigation strategies across clinical, operational, and financial domains
- ✅ Support career advancement into leadership roles in hospitals, insurance firms, and regulatory agencies
📚 Topics Covered in the CHRM Course
The CHRM curriculum is broad and multidisciplinary, covering both foundational and advanced risk management concepts. Key areas include:
Core Modules
- Principles of Risk Management in Healthcare
- Risk Management Program Development
- Patient Safety and Quality Improvement
- Healthcare Legal Concepts and Compliance
- Governance of Healthcare Organizations
- Claims Administration and Litigation Management
- Risk Financing and Insurance Strategies
- Occupational Health and Environmental Safety
- Emergency Preparedness and Crisis Management
- Information Technology and Data Risk
- Credentialing and Contract Review
- Performance Improvement and Metrics
These topics are delivered through interactive classes, expert-led instruction, and assessments including assignments and a final multiple-choice exam.
Cost
Cost Breakdown
| Item | Estimated Cost | Notes |
| Application Fee | $75–$150 | May vary by provider or association |
| Course Fee | $500–$1,200 | Includes online modules, instructor-led sessions, and assessments |
| Study Materials / Books | $200–$300 | Includes textbooks like Health Care Risk Management Fundamentals |
| Exam Fee | $275 (ASHRM Member) / $425 | Based on CPHRM rates from the American Hospital Association |
| Optional Prep Course | $300–$600 | Offered by ASHRM or third-party providers |
| Renewal / Recertification | $100–$200 every 3 years | Continuing education credits required |
📊 Total Estimated Cost
- Low End (Self-Study, Member Rate): ~$1,150
- High End (Full Prep, Non-Member Rate): ~$2,875
📝 Notes
- Prices vary depending on whether you’re an ASHRM member, your location, and the provider offering the CHRM course.
- Veterans may be eligible for exam fee reimbursement.
- Some employers offer tuition reimbursement or professional development stipends to cover these costs.
Prerequisites
To qualify for the CHRM certification, candidates typically need to meet the following criteria:
🎓 Education
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in:
- Healthcare administration
- Risk management
- Insurance
- Or a related field
Advanced degrees or certifications in healthcare or risk management may strengthen your application.
💼 Professional Experience
- 5 to 10 years of experience in healthcare risk management roles, such as:
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Insurance companies
- Regulatory agencies
📘 Healthcare Knowledge
- Strong understanding of:
- Healthcare regulations (e.g., HIPAA, CMS, Joint Commission)
- Patient safety standards
- Clinical operations
- Risk mitigation strategies
🧠 Leadership & Competency
- Demonstrated ability to:
- Lead risk management initiatives
- Collaborate across departments
- Implement compliance and safety programs
📝 Assessment Methods
Candidates are evaluated through a mix of:
- Review of academic and professional credentials
- Documentation of work experience and projects
- Written or oral exams to test technical knowledge and leadership skills
Renewal Requirements
To maintain your CHRM certification, you must:
- Complete Continuing Education
- 45 contact hours of approved continuing education (CE) within a 3-year certification cycle.
- CE must relate to healthcare risk management, patient safety, compliance, or legal/regulatory topics.
- Submit Renewal Application
- You can submit your renewal up to 1 year before your expiration date.
- CE credits must fall within the current certification cycle.
- Alternative Option
- If you prefer not to track CE credits, you may retake and pass the certification exam instead.
💳 Renewal Fees
| Fee Type | Amount |
| Standard Renewal (Member) | $135 |
| Standard Renewal (Non-Member) | $225 |
| Late Renewal Fee | +$50 (within 30-day grace period) |
| Reinstatement (after grace period) | Must retake the exam |
Note: CE credits earned during the 30-day grace period do not count toward renewal.
🗓️ Renewal Timeline
- Cycle Length: 3 years from certification or last renewal date
- Grace Period: 30 days post-expiration (with late fee)
- Extension Requests: May be granted for CE completion delays, but not for revoked credentials
Average Time to Complete Course
⏳ Duration of the CHRM Course
- Standard Completion Time: 4 to 6 months
- Mode: Fully online and self-paced
- Maximum Allowed Time: Up to 18 months to finish
- Estimated Weekly Effort: ~10 hours/week
This flexibility allows working professionals to balance certification with their job responsibilities and personal commitments.
🧠 Course Structure Highlights
The CHRM program typically includes:
- 10 structured modules covering healthcare systems, risk management principles, legal issues, and safety integration
- Assignments and assessments for each module
- A final exam to earn the certification
Exams
📝 CHRM Exam Overview
📌 Number of Exams
- One comprehensive exam is required to earn the CHRM designation.
🧪 Format
- Multiple-choice questions
- Typically includes scenario-based questions to test applied knowledge
- Delivered via online testing platform or at approved testing centers
⏱️ Duration
- 2.5 to 3 hours total exam time
- No scheduled breaks, but candidates may pause if taking the exam remotely
📅 Testing Window
- Year-round availability
- Candidates can schedule their exam:
- At a PSI testing center
- Or via live remote proctoring from home or office
📚 Exam Content Domains
While exact CHRM exam domains may vary slightly, they generally align with the following areas:
| Domain | Approximate Weight |
| Clinical/Patient Safety | 25% |
| Legal & Regulatory | 20% |
| Risk Financing | 15% |
| Health Care Operations | 20% |
| Claims & Litigation | 20% |
These domains reflect the core competencies required for healthcare risk professionals.
Designation Provider
Where to Get Started
The certifying body for the CHRM – Certified Professional in Health Care Risk Management designation depends on which version of the credential you’re referring to, as there are two similarly named certifications:
🏛️ 1. CPHRM – Certified Professional in Health Care Risk Management
- Certifying Body: American Hospital Association (AHA) Certification Center
- Affiliated Organization: American Society for Health Care Risk Management (ASHRM)
- This is the most widely recognized and industry-standard credential in healthcare risk management in the U.S.
- Administered through PSI testing centers or remote proctoring
🏛️ 2. CHRM – Chartered Healthcare Risk Manager
- Certifying Body: Chartered Institute of Management Specialists (CIMS)
- This version is more international and focuses on chartered-level recognition of healthcare risk professionals
- Includes assessment of leadership, regulatory compliance, and strategic risk management
If you’re pursuing a U.S.-based career in healthcare risk, the CPHRM from AHA/ASHRM is the gold standard. If you’re seeking global recognition or a chartered title, the CHRM from CIMS may be more appropriate.
