COMPARE · UPDATED OCTOBER 2026
CHSOS vs CHSE: which simulation certification fits your role?
Both are awarded by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH). The CHSOS is for the people who run simulation. The CHSE is for the people who teach with it.
Side by side
| CHSOS | CHSE | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Certified Healthcare Simulation Operations Specialist | Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator |
| Main work | Manikins, A/V and IT, scenario programming, moulage, program operations | Scenario design, facilitation, debriefing, assessment |
| Experience | 2 years in a simulation operations role | 2 years of simulation use in education, research, or administration |
| Education | Bachelor's degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience | |
| Exam | 115 questions, 2 hours, test center or live remote proctoring | |
| Fee (2025) | $395 SSH members, $495 non-members, one attempt included | |
| Valid for | 3 years | |
| Advanced level | CHSOS-A (portfolio) | CHSE-A (portfolio) |
Source: SSH CHSOS and CHSE handbooks, 2025. Confirm current details with SSH.
Blueprint domains compared
CHSOS
- Concepts in Healthcare as Applied to Simulation (10%)
- Simulation Technology Operations (35%)
- Healthcare Simulation Practices, Principles, and Procedures (25%)
- Professional Role: Behavior, Capabilities, and Leadership (15%)
- Concepts in Instructional Design as Applied to Simulation (15%)
CHSE
- Professional Values, Capabilities, and Leadership (20%)
- Healthcare and Simulation Knowledge and Practices (28%)
- Educational Principles Applied to Simulation (40%)
- Simulation Resources and Environments (12%)
The two blueprints overlap on professional values and healthcare simulation practice. The CHSOS puts the most weight on simulation technology operations (35%). The CHSE puts the most weight on educational principles applied to simulation (40%).
How to choose
- Choose the CHSOS if most of your week goes to setting up and running scenarios, maintaining equipment, managing A/V and IT, or running the center.
- Choose the CHSE if most of your week goes to writing scenarios, prebriefing, facilitating, debriefing, or assessing learners.
- Take both if you do both. Start with the one closest to your daily work, since your experience is the best preparation.
Frequently asked questions
Should I take the CHSOS or the CHSE?
Take the CHSOS if your main work is running simulation technology and operations. Take the CHSE if your main work is designing, facilitating, and debriefing simulation-based education.
Can I hold both the CHSOS and the CHSE?
Yes. They are separate certifications with separate applications and exams. Many simulation staff who both run and teach simulation hold both.
Are the CHSOS and CHSE exams the same length?
Yes. Each has 115 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours, with 100 scored and 15 unscored pretest items.
Written by the SimCert team at BrainNet Consulting (about the author). Domain lists follow the 2024 SSH examination blueprints. SimCert is independent and not affiliated with SSH.