What Is Changing for the CHL Exam in 2026?
HSPA is updating the Certified Healthcare Leader (CHL) examination in 2026. The change matters because CHL candidates are moving through a transition window with new eligibility requirements, a pilot exam, a temporary testing blackout, and a December relaunch of regular testing for the updated exam.
If you are preparing for CHL now, do two things in parallel: confirm your application timeline directly with HSPA, then study against the updated CHL content areas with focused practice questions.
Start here when you are ready to practice: CHL Practice Test 2026.
CHL 2026 Timeline
| CHL update | Date |
|---|---|
| Pilot applications available | June 18, 2026 |
| Current regular CHL applications no longer accepted | September 1, 2026 |
| Pilot application deadline | September 15, 2026 |
| Final testing date for the current CHL exam | September 23, 2026 |
| CHL pilot exam window | October 1-15, 2026 |
| CHL testing blackout | October 16-December 14, 2026 |
| Pilot results expected | Late November 2026 |
| Regular testing for updated CHL resumes | December 15, 2026 |
That timeline creates a narrow decision window. If you are trying to test before the change, the current exam has a final testing date. If you are applying for the pilot or testing after the blackout, prepare for the updated exam.
New CHL Eligibility Requirements
HSPA says CHL candidates beginning with the 2026 update must hold a current CRCST credential and meet at least one additional eligibility route:
- 12 months of full-time sterile processing experience, or part-time equivalent
- 12 months of full-time leadership experience, or part-time equivalent
- An associate degree or higher
HSPA also notes that applicants must provide documentation, such as an experience verification form, leadership verification, diploma, or official transcripts depending on the eligibility route.
Because eligibility rules can affect whether your application is accepted, use this article as study guidance and verify current requirements with HSPA before applying.
What Is the CHL Pilot Exam?
The pilot exam is scheduled for October 1-15, 2026. HSPA uses pilot exams during test development to gather performance data before the updated exam becomes the regular live exam.
One practical difference for pilot testers is timing of results. HSPA says pilot results are expected in late November 2026, while candidates taking the updated exam after regular testing resumes should receive results at the testing center.
What Content Should CHL Candidates Study?
The CHL exam focuses on leadership in sterile processing. On Sterile Processing Prep, CHL practice is organized into four domains:
- Planning and Decision Making — change management, safety, workforce planning, finance, quality, emergency planning, communication, and process improvement
- Organizing — staff management, workflow design, regulatory compliance, workplace processes, and standards
- Leading — orientation, mentoring, training, leadership styles, empowerment, and relationship building
- Controlling — workflow monitoring, safety, inventory, financial management, quality assurance, and documentation
These are management-focused topics. Expect scenario-style questions where the best answer depends on leadership judgment, compliance, patient safety, communication, and process control.
How to Study During the 2026 Transition
Use this order:
- Confirm your eligibility route and documents.
- Check whether you are applying for the pilot or the updated regular exam.
- Review HSPA's current CHL exam content outline and reference list.
- Practice questions by CHL domain.
- Review every rationale, especially for management scenarios where two answers look plausible.
- Take mixed practice or a mock exam once domain scores become consistent.
CHL is not just memorization. Good practice should make you explain why a leadership action is safer, more compliant, or more effective than the alternatives.
CHL Practice Test 2026
Use CHL Practice Test 2026 to practice leadership questions by domain. If you are still building your foundation, start with the CRCST Practice Test first, then move into CHL once your core sterile processing knowledge is steady.
Official Resources
- HSPA Certified Healthcare Leader CHL Pilot Exam — Official HSPA CHL eligibility update, pilot timeline, applications, and FAQs
- HSPA Forms & Applications — Current HSPA certification handbook, exam content outlines, and application documents