For All Dialysis Technicians
Three Easy Steps to Certification
- The applicant must possess a minimum of a high school diploma or its equivalent, General Educational Development (GED), and must submit a copy of a government approved high school diploma. The name on the diploma must match the name on the CCHT exam application. If it does not, proof of name change (e.g., marriage certificate) must be submitted.
- The applicant must have successfully completed a training program for clinical hemodialysis technicians that included both classroom instruction and supervised clinical experience.
- The applicant must obtain the signature of the educator or submit a certificate of completion to verify the training program.
- If the applicant has not yet obtained a position as a clinical hemodialysis technician, he/she must provide the number of hours spent in clinical, hands-on patient care experience obtained as part of the training program, and must provide the name of the facility where the clinical training occurred.
- The facility administrator or manager must sign to verify that the clinical, hands-on experience did occur and was supervised by an RN.
- If the applicant has held a position as a clinical hemodialysis technician within the last eighteen (18) months he/she must provide the name of the employer.
- The applicant must obtain the supervisor’s signature to verify employment. It is recommended, but not required, that an applicant have a minimum of six (6) months (or 1,000 hours) of clinical experience.
- If the applicant has been unemployed for (18) months or longer, he/she must provide proof of current retraining and hands-on experience.
- The applicant must obtain the signature of an RN educator to verify the training program and/or the facility administrator or manager to verify the clinical, hands-on experience did occur.
The applicant must be in compliance with federal and state regulations of the practice of hemodialysis patient care technicians. Applicants must meet the training and experience requirements of the CMS Conditions for Coverage for End Stage Renal Disease Facilities and of the state in which they practice.
The CCHT exam contains 150 questions and must be completed in three (3) hours. You must receive a standard score of 95 to pass the examination; this is achieved by answering 74% of the test questions correctly.
Download the Exam Application Forms
Standard Fees
| Fee Name | Amount |
|---|---|
| Exam Fee |
$225 |
| CBT 90-day Extension |
$100 |
| Exam Application Processing Fee (Non-refundable, included in exam fee) |
$50 |
| Expedited Review |
$50 |
| Late Fee |
$50 |
| Incomplete Application Fee |
$40 |
| Returned Check/Cancelled Payment Fee |
$30 |
| Duplicate Wallet Card or Certificate |
$25 |
| Certification Validation Letter (Except to State Boards of Nursing) |
$20 |
- Download our Certification Preparation Guide.
- Determine the content of the examination from the test blueprint.
- Read the test specifications to determine which content areas have the most "weight," because those will have the highest number of questions.
- Review the exam reference list to familiarize yourself with material that will be included on the test.
- Focus on areas with which you are least familiar.
- Take the Online Practice Exam (see info below)
- Learning strategies:
- attend a certification review course - check with your local chapter regarding upcoming opportunities or locations on your nephrology membership organization's website.
- systematically review a nephrology nursing reference:
- Core Curriculum for the Dialysis Technician
- Kidney School™
- NCS 2009 Hemodialysis Review Course
- Kallenbach, J., Gutch, C., Stoner, M., Corea, A. Review of Hemodialysis for Nurses and Dialysis Personnel, 8th Ed. St. Louis: Mosby.
- participate in a study group.
- spend a day with a colleague working in an area you need to learn about.
- Listen to the directions given prior to the examination and follow them exactly.
- Each month, NNCC poses a question of the month for each credential. Review the questions posed for this credential including the correct answer, rationale and reference information here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DialysisTechQOM
- Caution: Test preparation websites offering alternative and/or shortcuts to test preparation should be avoided. Exam content is confidential and is not shared with any individuals involved in test preparation activities. "Tricks of testing" and "short cut methods for test preparation" are specifically avoided when creating this exam. We test candidates on content and not on their "test taking skills." If you have any questions about the best methods to prepare please call us at 888.884.6622. Our goal is that each exam candidate best use their time and money to reach the end result of demonstrating their excellence in nephrology patient care through certification.
The purpose of the CCHT Practice Test is to allow candidates for the CCHT examination to practice with a test similar in content and format to the actual CCHT examination. However, no questions on the CCHT Practice Test will be on the actual CCHT examination. Taking the CCHT Practice Test is not required and does not guarantee a similar result on the CCHT examination.
The fee for the test is $30. The CCHT Practice Test contains 50 multiple-choice questions available in two modes: Practice Mode provides the correct answer and rationale after each question, while Test Mode holds the results until the end of the test. Both modes at the end of the test provide a Score Report which displays your score and breakdown of percentage correct in each area of the test blueprint.
You will have access to the test for 90 days. Several scrambled versions of the same 50 questions are offered for retesting. Your credit card payment will be processed on-line and you will be granted immediate access to the CCHT Practice Test.
To purchase the CCHT Practice Exam, please read the Terms of Agreement and click the appropriate button below.
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Return to the CCHT Practice Test
Online Practice Exam
| Fee Name | Amount |
|---|---|
| Online Practice Exam |
$30 |
Core References
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). End-Stage Kidney Disease Program Interpretive Guidance Version 1.1
- Kallenbach, J.Z. (2016). Review of hemodialysis for Nurses and Dialysis Personnel, 9th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier/Mosby.
- Medical Education Institute, Inc. (2018). Core Curriculum for the Dialysis Technician: A Comprehensive Review of Hemodialysis, 6th ed. Madison, WI: MEI.
Emotional Preparation
- Moderate anxiety is normal and may be helpful - you may be more alert and open to learning; however too much anxiety is detrimental and will interfere with learning and test-taking.
- Study and prepare for the examination so that you feel confident.
- Think positively - you possess a wealth of experience and the examination will allow you to demonstrate that knowledge.
- Use anxiety-reducing strategies:
- relaxation response.
- guided imagery.
- exercise.
- prayer.
- Even though some test takers may finish the exam early, use as much of the allotted time as you need to think through and answer the questions.
Physical Preparation
- Get a good night's sleep.
- Eat before the examination - those gray cells will have glucose available when you're answering questions.
- Gather all the materials you need to take the test the night before the exam:
- government-issued photo ID.
- nursing license.
- examination permit.
- sweater or jacket in case the room is cool.
- Allow plenty of time to arrive early.
- If you are distracted by other candidates during the test or leaving to use the rest room, select a seat at the front of the room where you will be less likely to notice the other candidates.
Tips on Answering Examination Questions
- Read the questions carefully and focus on key words in the question such as "first", "most likely", "most important", "best". These words are usually printed in boldface type to attract your attention.
- As you read the question, anticipate the correct answer.
- Read each of the four choices carefully. Even if the first option sounds correct, read all options before choosing the answer.
- Do not "read into" the question. Answer the question based only on the information presented, even if you think the answer is too obvious or too easy.
- Do not be afraid to change an answer. Research has shown that more often than not, test takers change answers to the correct one.
- Do not spend too much time on any one question. Make a note of the questions of which you are uncertain and return to them later if you have time.
- If you are unsure about one of the content areas, you may find it helpful to complete the other areas first and leave the problem area for last.
I am CCHT certified. Can I recertify as a CCHT-A?
No. The CCHT-A credential can only be obtained by taking and passing the CCHT-A certification examination.
What is the difference between the CCHT and the CCHT-A?
The CCHT-A is an advanced credential for technicians that are working in an advanced dialysis technician level of practice, ie. precepting new technicians, for a minimum of 5 years and 5000 hours. The CCHT is an entry level certification credential.
What is my registration number?
NNCC is your national certification board. NNCC does not issue numbers with your certification. There are some states that require a state registration or certification, and those states may issue a registration or certification number. NNCC will ask for the registration number, if applicable. If you do not have a state registration or certification number, you will leave this question blank on your recertification application.
I am not currently employed. Do I need an employer to verify work hours during my certification period?
Yes, a current, or previous supervisor will need to verify 3000 hours of dialysis technician work experience during your 3-year certification period. If you did not work 3000 hours as a dialysis technician during your certification period, you are not eligible for recertification.
What if I did not work 3000 hours as a dialysis technician during my 3-year certification period?
If you have worked as a dialysis technician within the last 18 months, you may be eligible to apply to take the exam to become certified again by using the initial CCHT examination application. If it has been more than 18 months since you last worked as a dialysis technician, you will be considered a new technician and will be required to go through re-training before being eligible to apply to take the CCHT examination.
What if I can't find my certificates for continuing education completed during my certification period?
The provider of the continuing education program should be able to provide you with a duplicate certificate of completion. You will need copies of your certificates of completion for all continuing education programs reported on your recertification application. A copy of a certificate or certificates may be requested upon review of your application and must be provided upon request. If you are not able to obtain copies of the certificates of completion, it is recommended that you do not report these programs on your recertification application. Providing information that can not be supported with documentation could cause your certification to be denied.
What if my certification has already expired? Can I complete continuing education now to be recertified by continuing education?
All eligibility criteria for recertification must be met by your certification expiration date. If you have worked 3000 hours during your certification period as a dialysis technician, but did notcomplete 30 hours of nephrology continuing education credits within the dialysis technician's scope of practice by your certification expiration date, you will need to Recertify by Examination.
How can I find out when my certification will expire?
Your certification expiration date is shown on your certification wallet card, and can also be verified through the NNCC Certified Directory.
How do I find continuing education?
Continuing education can be found online, through nephrology organizations, or by attending a local or national conference. NNCC staff members would be happy to help you in locating programs that will meet your requirements for recertification. Please contact the National Office to request information regarding continuing education, if needed.
I submitted my CCHT examination application and have not heard back, how can I check the status of the application?
CCHT examination applications are mailed directly to NNCCs testing partner, C-NET. It can take up to 4 weeks from the date the application is received before you receive a permit, pending approval. If it has been more than 4 weeks since the application was sent, please contact C-NET directly at 800-463-0786 or info@cnetnurse.com. Please note: If FastTrack services were requested, the permit should be issued within 1-3 business days.
I received an incomplete application letter. Who can I contact regarding this letter?
CCHT examination applications are mailed directly to C-NET for processing and review. If you have received an incomplete letter and have questions, please contact C-NET directly at 800-463-0786 or info@cnetnurse.com.