CHTM - Certified Healthcare Technology Manager

The Certified Healthcare Technology Manager (CHTM) certification validates the knowledge and skills of healthcare technology management professionals who plan and direct the work and activities of other healthcare technology professionals. This certification covers the management of personnel and the management of healthcare technology. The Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) offers the CHTM exam.

Eligibility

To be eligible to take the CHTM exam, applicants must meet one of the following paths:

• Path 1: Hold a current certification as a clinical engineer (CCE), biomedical equipment technician (CBET), radiology equipment specialist (CRES), or a laboratory equipment specialist (CLES), and 3 years of experience as a supervisor or manager within the last 5 years

• Path 2: Completed the Department of Defense’s biomedical equipment maintenance technician (DOD BMET) training program, and 3 years of military or civilian work experience as an HTM supervisor or manager within the last 5 years

• Path 3: Have an associate’s degree in biomedical technology, information technology, business, or related healthcare discipline, and 3 years of experience as an HTM supervisor or manager within the last 5 years

• Path 4: Have a bachelor’s degree in biomedical technology, information technology, business, engineering, or related healthcare discipline, and 2 years of experience as an HTM supervisor or manager within the last 5 years

• Path 5: Completed 7 years of work experience in the HTM field in healthcare discipline, information technology, or business management with 3 years of experience as a supervisor or manager within the last 5 years

Applicants without the title of supervisor or manager must attest to performing management duties, confirmed by themselves or a 3rd party.

Completion Time: Candidates have 2 hours to complete the CHTM exam

Costs:

• AAMI Member: $420 ($100 non-refundable)

• Non-member: $500 ($100 non-refundable)

• Retest AAMI Member: $300 non-refundable

• Retest Non-member: $350 non-refundable

• International Exams: Additional $100

• Late Registration: Additional $50 non-refundable

• Rescheduling At Least 5 Days before exam date: $50

• Rescheduling Less than 5 Days before exam date: Forfeit all exam fees

Exam Format

The CHTM exam has 100 questions, and applicants have 2 hours to complete it. The exam is pass or fail, and examinees must correctly answer a minimum of 72 questions to pass. AAMI emails preliminary results immediately after exam completion and mails final results 30 to 45 days after the exam window closes. Exam topics include:

• Financial management (19%)

• Risk management (12%)

• Operations management (46%)

• Education and training (11%)

• Human resources (12%)

Test Dates

The CHTM exam is administered within 2 testing windows each year: May 1-15 and November 1-15. Applicants may only take the exam once within each 15-day testing window.

Register for the Exam

Applicants receive an email from AAMI with login information and instructions for registering for the exam. They must register 15 days before the CHTM exam window opens and take it through in-person computer-based testing at an approved testing center. Kryterion Global Testing Solutions administers the CHTM at testing centers worldwide.

Application Process

• Go to the AAMI website

• Click “Apply for an Exam” under AAMI Credentials Institute (ACI)

• Create an account or log in

• Click “Next Step” under CHTM Exam Registration

• Complete registration information

• Check “CHTM”

• Complete education information, including diploma or unofficial transcript, and employment information, including the phone number for Human Resources

• Sign and date under Applicant Acknowledgement 

• Click “Next”

• Input payment information

Applicants receive an email from AAMI with acceptance and scheduling information. If the application is incomplete, applicants have 30 days to respond and submit the required documents.

The CHTM is valid for 3 years. Renewal applicants can renew by completing continuing education requirements.

• Go to the AAMI website

• Log in to AAMI account

• Document 30 CEUs in the Online CEU Journal

• Make the renewal payment under “My Orders” once reviewed and approved

Renewal Fees

• AAMI Member: $100 (non-refundable)

• Non-member: $150 (non-refundable)

• Additional fee for multiple certifications: $50 for AAMI members and $75 for non-members

• Applications submitted after December 31st must pay a reactivation fee: $100 for AAMI members and non-members

To be eligible for renewal, applicants must complete 30 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) in the following categories within the 3-year certification period. 

• Category I: Earn an additional HTM-related certification (15 maximum CEUs)

• Category II: Leadership roles (15 maximum CEUs)

• Category III: Development of educational content (15 maximum CEUs)

• Category IV: Professional development (15 minimum CEUs, no maximum)

• Category V: College or university courses (15 maximum CEUs)

• Category VI: Work experience (15 maximum CEUs)

Applicants must enter all CEU documentation in a Continuing Practice Journal. For full information about accepted CEUs, refer to the ACI Exam Handbook.

• ACI Exam Handbook has a full list of references and resources

• ACI Certification Brochure

• AAMI Store has study courses and study guides for purchase, including:

  • CHTM Study Guide, a refresher and guide to the CHTM exam. Cost: $105 

  • Healthcare Technology Management Manual, a textbook about running a successful HTM department. Cost: $253

Other certifications offered by AAMI include:

• Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET)

• Certified Industrial Sterilization Specialist (CISS)

• Certified Associate in Biomedical Technology (CABT)

• Certified Radiology Equipment Specialist (CRES)