CHSOS EXAM GUIDE · UPDATED OCTOBER 2026
CHSOS exam guide: eligibility, format, fees, and a study plan
Everything you need to plan for the Certified Healthcare Simulation Operations Specialist exam, in one page. Figures come from the 2025 SSH CHSOS handbook. Confirm current details with SSH before you apply.
What the CHSOS certifies
The CHSOS recognizes the people who run the technology and logistics of healthcare simulation: manikins and task trainers, audio-visual and IT systems, scenario programming, moulage, and the day-to-day operation of a simulation program. It is awarded by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH).
Who is eligible
- A bachelor's degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Two years of documented experience in healthcare simulation.
- Current participation in healthcare simulation in an operations role, with learners such as undergraduate, graduate, allied health, or practicing clinicians.
Exam format
| Questions | 115 multiple choice (100 scored, 15 unscored pretest items) |
|---|---|
| Time | 2 hours (about 63 seconds per question) |
| Where | Approved test center, or live remote proctoring through ProProctor |
| Result | Pass or fail. Cut scores are not published |
| Testing window | 90 days from application approval |
| Valid for | 3 years |
Fees
| Fee (USD) | SSH member | Non-member |
|---|---|---|
| Application and first attempt | $395 | $495 |
| Retake | $175 | $275 |
| Renewal by professional development | $350 | $450 |
Source: SSH CHSOS Handbook 2025. Fees change, so check the SSH CHSOS page before you apply.
The 5 blueprint domains
Spend study time in proportion to each domain's weight. The question counts below are for the 100 scored items.
| Domain | Weight | About this many scored questions |
|---|---|---|
| I. Concepts in Healthcare as Applied to Simulation | 10% | 10 |
| II. Simulation Technology Operations | 35% | 35 |
| III. Healthcare Simulation Practices, Principles, and Procedures | 25% | 25 |
| IV. Professional Role: Behavior, Capabilities, and Leadership | 15% | 15 |
| V. Concepts in Instructional Design as Applied to Simulation | 15% | 15 |
An 8-week study plan
- Week 1. Read the blueprint. Take a 20-question set in each program you plan to sit, untimed, to find your starting point.
- Weeks 2 to 3. Drill the heaviest domains first. In CHSOS, that is Simulation Technology Operations (35%) and Healthcare Simulation Practices, Principles, and Procedures (25%).
- Weeks 4 to 5. Drill every remaining domain. Read each explanation, including for questions you got right. Review your missed list twice a week.
- Week 6. Take a timed 40-question set twice. Aim for about 60 seconds per question, the pace of the real exam.
- Week 7. Take a full 115-question timed exam under exam conditions. Drill any domain below 70 percent.
- Week 8. Keep Daily 5 going, take one more full exam, and rest the day before the test.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the CHSOS exam?
115 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours. 100 count toward your score. The other 15 are unscored pretest items you cannot tell apart from the rest.
Who is eligible for the CHSOS?
A bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience, plus two years of documented experience in healthcare simulation. Current participation in healthcare simulation in an operations role, with learners such as undergraduate, graduate, allied health, or practicing clinicians.
How much does the CHSOS exam cost?
The 2025 SSH handbook lists $395 for SSH members and $495 for non-members, including one attempt. A retake costs $175 for members and $275 for non-members. Confirm current fees with SSH before you apply.
Can I take the CHSOS exam online?
Yes. You choose an approved test center or live remote proctoring on your own computer through ProProctor.
What score do I need to pass the CHSOS?
SSH reports pass or fail only and does not publish cut scores. SimCert uses 70 percent per domain as a practice target.
How long is the CHSOS valid?
Three years. You renew through continuing professional development during the last 90 days, or by retaking the exam during the last year.
Related
- CHSOS vs CHSE: which certification fits your role
- Both blueprints side by side
- Study references worth reading
- CHSOS-A and CHSE-A portfolio checklist
Written by the SimCert team at BrainNet Consulting (about the author). SimCert is independent and not affiliated with SSH.