Certified Health Care Recruiter (CHCR) Credential
Enhance your health care recruitment career with CHCR certification.
Why earn the CHCR?
Recruiting in any industry is tough, but health care recruitment comes with its unique set of obstacles — budget constraints, limited resources, shortages of experienced professionals, and constantly evolving reimbursement policies. That's where the Certified Health Care Recruiter (CHCR) designation from NAHCR comes into play.
Earning the CHCR credential validates your expertise and showcases your dedication to health care recruitment. In a survey, five out of six CHCRs pursued certification to affirm their skills, and four out of six believe it demonstrates their commitment to the profession.
Investing in your CHCR certification can elevate your recruitment strategy, boost your professional credibility, and open doors to invaluable resources and networks. Are you ready to enhance your health care recruiting career?
Friday at 2:00 p.m. ET, offered online. The CHCR exam is offered twice each year.
Applications must be received at least two weeks prior to the exam date.
The Spring exam is typically held in March or April, while the Fall exam is usually scheduled for October or November. The online application form is made available approximately five months prior to each exam date.
Hear from Certified Health Care Recruiters
"One of the most impactful benefits of obtaining my CHCR certification is that my confidence has grown as a recruiter. It makes me feel extremely confident in not only my ability as a recruiter but as a valuable asset to my company and beyond. I feel like I have earned respect in my field and enhanced my credibility with not only my hiring team but my prospective applicants as well. My only regret is that I did not do it sooner!"
"My membership with NAHCR and the completion of the CHCR exam has opened so many doors and resources to enrich my career in Recruitment. The network and experts that you have access to as a part of the NAHCR is invaluable as we continue to work through a difficult labor market."
Candidate Requirements
Candidates must have at least two years' experience as a health care recruiter.
Technical Requirements
- An active Internet connection with a minimum speed of 1 Mbps, webcam, microphone, and speakers/headphones.
- A Windows-based laptop or desktop (MacBook is also supported).
- Admin rights to your computer — restricted user profiles will face permissions issues.
- The assessment is not supported on restricted networks (corporate networks, college or university networks, VPN, etc.). Please ensure the exam is taken on a private or unrestricted network.
Examination Fees
Exam fees are $475 for members and $670 for non-members. Payment may be made by credit card (VISA, MasterCard, or American Express), cashier's check, or money order made payable to NAHCR. Examination registration fees are not refundable or transferable and expire in one year.
General Examination
The CHCR exam is composed of approximately ninety (90) questions covering the essential topics for today's health care recruiters.
| Topic | Approximate Percentage on Exam |
|---|---|
| The Recruitment Process | 41% |
| The Law and Recruitment | 16% |
| The Selection Process | 16% |
| Recruitment Metrics | 11% |
| Strategic Recruitment Plans | 9% |
| Compensation and Benefits | 4% |
| The Recruiter's Job Description | 3% |
Candidates will have approximately two hours to complete this examination.
Resource Guide
Upon confirmation of their eligibility to sit for the exam, candidates will be provided with a link to a downloadable resource guide. Please note that the resource guide is a supplement to learned experience, not a substitute for the general health care recruiting knowledge needed to pass the exam.
Exam Results
Exam results will be emailed to the candidate's email address within two (2) weeks of the examination.
Recertification Process & Requirements
Already a CHCR? Members who hold the CHCR must recertify their credentials every two years. This can be done through either continuing education or reexamination. Learn more about recertification.
Take the next step in your recruitment career
Registration for the October 2, 2026 exam closes September 18, 2026.