Preparing for the Certification Exam

Preparing for the ExamINATION

The examinations are skills-based focusing specifically on the candidate’s ability to do the job at each level (in each auspice). Although there may be education programs and resources available that may assist the candidate in preparing for the examination, the examination itself is not a content-based examination. Therefore, the candidate is encouraged to take the following steps to prepare for the examination.

1) Study the domains identified in the examination blueprints.

There is an examination blueprint for each certification program. Each of the examination blueprints identifies the major content areas relevant to the responsibilities of each professional credentialing level: manager, administrator, and executive. The blueprints are included in this handbook as supplemental material to be used as a tool. It will give candidates an idea of what subjects they should focus on when preparing to take the certification examination.

2) Network with other candidates and form study groups.

There are a number of ways to connect with other candidates. You can connect with them at events or connect with them through social media.

ONSITE TESTING

Registering and Late Registration
Exams are only open to candidates who have been deemed eligible. Registering for the exam is a two-step process.

1) Candidates must turn in a completed application form with application fee to NBHHC. (For detailed information regarding this step - please see “Application Policies and Procedures” section).

2) Upon receiving notification of status, candidates should take the following next steps:

b. If candidate is deemed ineligible, candidate will need to resubmit another application form when they have met the necessary requirements.

Once NBHHC receives and processes the candidate’s exam fee, candidate will be notified via email of their confirmation with exam date and location.

Late Arrival for Registration
If a candidate arrives more than 15 minutes late, the candidate will be denied entrance to take the certification examination. There are no refunds for late arrivals and no-shows. All fees will be forfeited.

certification AND CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT
Each candidate will be asked to sign a confidentiality agreement form. All content, specifically questions, answers and diagrams of the certification exams are the proprietary and confidential property of NBHHC. They may not be copied, reproduced, modified, published, uploaded, posted, transmitted, shared, or distributed in anyway without the express written authorization of NBHHC. Candidates who sit for NBHHC certification exams must agree they have read and will abide by the terms and conditions of the NBHHC Certification and Confidentiality Agreement before beginning the certification exam. The agreement applies to all exams. Signing and adhering to this agreement is required to be officially certified and to maintain valid certification. Candidates must first accept the terms and conditions of the NBHHC Certification and Confidentiality Agreement during the registration process and again prior to testing. Failure to accept the terms of this Agreement will result in a terminated exam and forfeiture of the entire exam fee.

EXAMINATION DAY

Check-In
The registration process for an exam begins at 8:00 am. Candidates are encouraged to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the designated start time (9:00 am). A roster check-off process would follow. If the candidate does not have sufficient ID (primary/secondary/or other materials), the candidate will be turned away. Candidates are to provide two forms of valid ID, one primary with a photo and signature, one secondary with a signature.

The following IDs meet the primary ID requirements:

Government-issued driver’s license
State/national identification card
Passport*
Military ID*
Alien registration card (green card, permanent resident visa)
U.S. Passport card
U.S. Dept. of State Driver’s License

* The primary ID must contain a photo & signature unless the signature is embedded in the identification. When this occurs candidate must present another form of signature identification from the primary or secondary list.

The following IDs meet the secondary ID requirements:

Any ID on the primary list
Social Security card
Credit/bank ATM card (signature required).

Note: At the time of registration, candidates will be given an Admission/ID Form containing their name and ID number that corresponds to the ID number on line they signed on the registration form. Candidates will be instructed to fill out the Admission/ID form with the mailing address they want NBHHC to use when mailing their score reports. IMPORTANT: Make sure that your handwriting is legible and clear and also make sure that the correct mailing address is written on the form. Candidates will need to use the Admission Form containing their ID number for reference when filling out their answer sheets and will be instructed to return it with their exam materials.

Once signed in to the exam room, candidates will get an exam score sheet and booklet. Candidates should NOT open their exam booklets until instructed by the exam supervisor. Once candidate enters the testing room, candidate may not leave until the exam has started. Before the exam is administered, the exam proctor will review the rules to follow while the test is in progress.

No outside materials
Books, portfolios, pamphlets, notes or paper of any kind are strictly prohibited in the designated testing area. Cell phones, pagers, purse, and personal belongings should be placed in a designated area determined by the exam proctor and can be picked up once the candidate has finished the exam and leaves the room. NBHHC and exam proctors are not responsible for lost or stolen personal belongings. Candidates who bring personal belongings into the testing room do so at their own risk.

Note: On-site examinations are paper-based and all candidates will be given a #2 pencil to use. You will not need any notepaper as you can write in your exam booklet.

Examination
Candidates will be allowed 2 hours to complete the examination. All certification exams contain 80-100 questions. There is no penalty for guessing on the examination. Candidates must make sure that all answers are marked on their answer sheet before turning in their materials. Candidates will be provided a comment form if they have questions regarding a particular question and will be given this form after they have finished the exam and turned in their answer sheet. There will not be any questions answered regarding interpretations of questions or defining of any words. If there are typographical errors, or the printing of words is not clear during the exam, the exam proctor may assist candidates with these issues only. Candidates are encouraged to answer all questions to the best of their abilities.

Filling out answer sheet
Although candidates may circle answers or mark in their exam books, please be advised that all answers must be entered in your answer sheet before time is called. No extra time is provided to transfer answers from your exam book to your answer sheet after time has been called. Also, please be advised that any question with more than one answer selection will be scored incorrect.

Smoking, Refreshments, Bathroom
No smoking or refreshments will be permitted during the examination. Candidates may not place calls on their cell phone before they finish the exam. Only one (1) candidate at a time will be allowed to use the restroom. Candidates can go to the restroom by a sign-in/sign out sheet administered by the exam proctor. There are no scheduled bathroom breaks during the exam. The exam is designed to be taken without interruptions. For instance, when a candidate is dismissed to use the restroom or get a drink of water, they must place their answer sheet inside the examination booklet and leave them there until they come back. Candidates are asked to take care of any personal needs before entering the examination room.

Cheating
Candidates must be aware that any cheating, including talking, giving, or receiving any help, or copying or retaining any test questions will result in their exam papers confiscated and a score of zero assigned to them.

Unallowed behavior
Candidates who conduct the following types of behavior will be dismissed from the test-taking venue and the scores will not be allowed. Examples of misconduct include, but are not limited to:

Using electronic communication equipment (e.g., PDAs, cell phones)
Giving or receiving help during the examination
Committing fraud by attempting to take the exam for someone else
Using notes or aids that are not allowed
Attempting to copy or remove test materials
Engaging in abusive, disturbing or uncooperative behavior.

Exam Cancellation Policy
All cancellation requests must be made in writing. NBHHC reserves the right to deny refunds. Requests made in writing and submitted via mail, fax or email at least 30 calendar days prior to the day of the examination will be refunded the fee minus the cancellation fee ($199). NBHHC cannot postpone registrations for the examination and/or transfer fees to future examinations. Candidates will not be able to change an examination location less than thirty (30) calendar days prior to a scheduled examination. Cancellations made less than thirty (30) calendar days prior to the examination and no-shows on the day of the examination will result in forfeiture of the entire examination fee.

Exceptions to the Cancellation Policy: NBHHC recognizes that serious issues may arise that could prevent a candidate from canceling their registration within the timeframe prescribed above. There are four acceptable reasons for canceling from the exam less than thirty (30) calendar days prior to the examination date:

Serious illness – either you or an immediate family member (spouse, child, parent, etc.)
Death in the immediate family
Court appearance or jury duty
Unexpected military duty call-up

A candidate who fails to appear for a scheduled examination due to one of the reasons listed above must submit the reason for failing to appear in writing to NBHHC within seven (7) calendar days following the scheduled examination date. The written request must be accompanied by meaningful documentation supporting the claim that the situation physically prevented the candidate from taking the examination on the scheduled date, at the scheduled examination location, through no fault on the part of the candidate.

Upon review of the written request and accompanying documentation, approved requests will be issued a refund less the applicable cancellation fee. NBHHC reserves the right to request further evidence to support the reason for failing to appear. If a reason is accepted, the candidate’s examination fee will be refunded via the original method of payment less the applicable cancellation fee. The candidate must re-register and re-pay the full examination fee for a future examination that occurs within the candidate’s remaining eligibility period.

Accommodations for Candidates with Disabilities and other Special Considerations
If you need an accommodation as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact NBHHC prior to the program at certification@nbhhc.org.

Rescheduling an Exam
Exam appointments can be rescheduled without penalty as long as it is done in writing 30 days before the exam date. If the request is received within 30 days of the exam date, all exam fees will be forfeited. Once the fees are forfeited, candidates must register for the exam and resubmit fees for a new exam appointment. Candidates who do not cancel their scheduled exam appointment risk forfeiting the applicable fees.

COMPUTER BASED TESTING

Exams are only open to candidates who have been deemed eligible. Registering for the exam is a two-step process:

1) Candidates must turn in a completed application form with application fee to NBHHC. (For detailed information regarding this step - please see “Application Policies and Procedures” section).

2) Upon receiving notification of status, candidates should take the following next steps:

a. If candidate is deemed eligible, candidate will receive an approval confirmation letter via email. The approval confirmation letter will contain an examination registration form and an approval code. Please use this approval code to fill out your exam registration form and send to NBHHC along with the appropriate exam fee. After submission of exam registration form, candidate will receive an exam registration confirmation letter via email, which will provide instructions on how to register for the computer based testing. Candidate will have the option of choosing a conveniently centered testing location on a date and time within the testing window period (based on testing location availability).

b. If candidate is deemed ineligible, candidate will need to resubmit another application form when they have met the necessary requirements.

The National Board for Home Care and Hospice Certification contracts with Professional Testing to coordinate computer based testing through Pearson VUE, the global leader in technology-enable testing and assessment services to administer and deliver the examinations. When Pearson VUE receives an inquiry from NBHHC with its list of eligible candidates for examinations, Pearson VUE will register and schedule the Candidate to take the examination.

Registering and Late Registration
Registering with Pearson VUE is detailed in the following activities for all candidates to follow:

Pearson VUE’s website: www.pearsonvue.com is available twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week, or toll-free - call in number which accesses Pearson VUE’s customer service center. Telephone access to Pearson VUE’s customer service center is available within the United States and Canada between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Central Time), Monday through Friday.
Pearson VUE provides information to test candidates regarding examination availability, examination dates and times, and Testing Center locations for NBHHC’s certification examinations.
Pearson VUE provides examination appointments on a first-come, first-serve basis. Pearson can only answer questions about the examination process and examination administration at its testing center locations. Under no circumstances shall Pearson VUE discuss the eligibility status of candidates. NBHHC is solely responsible for eligibility.
Any questions regarding eligibility requirements of candidates is the sole responsibility of NBHHC and NBHHC only.
An examination appointment confirmation letter will be sent to candidate via e-mail by Pearson VUE (Correspondence sent by Pearson VUE to candidate confirms the time, date, and location of test administration appointment). The confirmation includes directions to test center and contact information.

Late Registration/No-Show
Candidates who change or cancel an appointment less than one (1) business day prior to the existing exam appointment or do not show up at the test center for their exam will forfeit 100% of the test administration fee.

Check-IN
Pearson VUE will process candidates for testing by:

Verifying each test candidate’s identity from two (2) valid forms of identification. One form of identification will be a valid photo identification card and the other form will be an identification card displaying the candidate’s signature.
Pearson Professional Centers (PPC) will utilize digital photograph, electronic signature and palm vein capture for identity verification and security within the test center.

Examination Day
You will take your examination using Computer Based Testing (CBT) technology. Pearson VUE will administer the examination and candidates should follow the testing center procedures and process when taking the exams.

Exam Cancellation Policy
Candidates who change or cancel an appointment less than one (1) business day prior to the existing exam appointment or do not show up at the test center for their exam will forfeit 100% of the test administration fee.

Rescheduling an Exam
Candidates may cancel or reschedule with no penalty up to one (1) business day in advance of the existing appointment. Candidates who change or cancel an appointment less than one business day prior to the existing exam appointment or do not show up at the test center for their exam will forfeit 100% of the test administration fee.

Test Centers and Dates
Pearson VUE will provide and maintain at least two hundred (200) PPC’s (Pearson Professional Center, testing centers operated by or on behalf of Pearson VUE) throughout the United States. Pearson VUE testing dates are given to eligible candidates via e-mail.