What is a Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS)?
The CPPS credential establishes patient safety competency standards and elevates the professional stature of health care professionals who meet knowledge requirements in safety science, human factors engineering, and the practice of safe care. Certification requires a combination of education and experience, as well as successful completion of the evidence-based certification exam.
Who is the certifying body behind CPPS?
The CPPS examination is administered by the Certification Board for Professionals in Patient Safety (CBPPS). CBPPS was formed to oversee a rigorous and comprehensive credentialing process that attests to patient safety competencies and expertise. The board's chief responsibility is the development and administration of an evidence-based examination that provides candidates with a process by which they can demonstrate their competency in patient safety science and application.
Are there prerequisites or eligibility requirements to sit for the exam?
Candidates for the CPPS credential are those whose current or future professional responsibilities include patient safety practices as an integral component. In addition, candidates must possess academic and professional experience at one of the following levels:
- Baccalaureate degree or higher plus three years of experience (includes time spent in clinical rotations and residency programs) in a health care setting or with a provider of services to the health care industry
- Associate degree or equivalent plus five years of experience (includes time spent in clinical rotations) in a health care setting or with a provider of services to the health care industry
What is the fee to sit for the CPPS examination?
The CPPS exam fee is $549. For international candidates, the CPPS exam fee is US $649.
What are the new updates to the exam?
The Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS)™ certification exam and related offerings have been updated to align with a comprehensive job analysis conducted by CBPPS that considered current knowledge and skills related to the role of a patient safety professional.
The updated CPPS exam features a new exam content outline (ECO).
This revised exam includes 100 scored items and 20 pre-test items (up from 10 pre-test items) and covers 4 domains (a consolidation from the previous 5). Candidates will now have 2.5 hours to complete the exam, an extension from the previous 2 hours.
Exam preparation materials for the updated CPPS exam are now available.
Click here to review all changes effective 11/12/2024
What is tested on the CPPS examination?
Candidates are tested on four core patient safety domains: Culture, Systems Thinking, Human Factors Engineering, and Design, Safety Risks and Responses, Performance Measurement, Analysis, Improvement and Monitoring. The vast majority of questions test application and analysis, while a small percentage test for recall.
How can I obtain a CPPS Candidate Handbook and application?
The CPPS Candidate Handbook is available for download, or call our authorized testing partner, PSI Candidate Services at (833) 333-4755. An application is included in the Candidate Handbook. Mail the completed application and appropriate fee to PSI at the address indicated on the application.
Can I apply for the CPPS examination online?
Yes, a candidate who pays the examination fee by credit card may apply online and schedule an appointment to test through the PSI website.
- Visit the PSI certification website
- On the main page click "Find Your Test"
- From the "Browse by Industry" section choose "Health Care"
- Find and choose "Certification Board for Professionals in Patient Safety (CBPPS)"
- Click “View Available Tests”
- Choose "Certified Professional in Patient Safety Examination (CPPS)"
- Select "Login/Register"
- Click "Create Account" near the top of the page.
- Fill in the required information and schedule your exam
How can I prepare for the exam?
To prepare for the exam, we provide candidates with a detailed exam content outline, resource list and self-assessment exam (SAE) or practice exam. The SAE is offered through our testing partner, PSI, and may be purchased on the PSI website.
IHI also offers a CPPS Review Course in various formats throughout the year (in-person, self-paced, and live webinar). This course can help participants prepare for the exam by reviewing domain content areas and test-taking strategies.
CBPPS does not endorse resources designed to prepare candidates to take the certification exam. Completion of the SAE is optional and not required to take or pass the certification exam. Taking the SAE/practice exam or review course does not guarantee a passing score or improved performance on the exam.
Is there a practice exam? How is it scored? How can I order it?
A practice exam is available for purchase from PSI. Note: This is also referred to as the self-assessment exam (SAE), described above. The practice exam should be regarded as a diagnostic tool to assess strengths and weaknesses, rather than a study guide for the examination. Upon purchase, the practice exam is available for a period of 60 days from the date of purchase, or until all 50 questions have been answered. At the time of completion, candidates receive a numerical score for each content area, as well as a summary including each question in its entirety, along with their response and the correct answer for each.
CBPPS does not endorse resources designed to prepare candidates to take the certification exam. Completion of the SAE is optional and not required to take or pass the certification exam. Taking the SAE/practice exam or review course does not guarantee a passing score or improved performance on the exam.
Will the IHI Open School Patient Safety Curriculum help me prepare for the CPPS exam?
The IHI Open School Patient Safety Curriculum is an important foundational course in patient safety science, but it is not meant to be preparatory for the exam.
What is the passing score? How is the passing score determined?
The passing score for the examination is 500. Scores ranges from 200 to 800. The passing score for the examination is determined by using a process known as the Angoff method, in which experts in the field estimate the difficulty of each item on the examination for the minimally qualified candidate. These judgments are averaged to determine the minimum passing score, which represents the amount of knowledge a minimally qualified candidate would likely demonstrate on the examination. The results of these ratings are presented to the exam development committee to determine the final passing score.
How long do I have to wait to find out if I passed the exam?
If you test in person at a center within the United States, you receive a score report indicating pass/fail status at the conclusion of the test session. International candidates will not receive instant score reports. Results will be sent within two business days after completion of the examination to the candidate’s address of record. International candidates may also view score reports through the online PSI portal.
If you test virtually with a remotely proctored exam, you receive a score report indicating pass/fail status at the conclusion of the test session regardless of your geographic location.
For those who pass the examination, CBPPS recognizes certified status with a mailed certificate and a certification pin.
If I do not pass, am I able to retake the exam?
Unsuccessful candidates may retake the examination after a 30-day waiting period. The candidate is required to reapply to PSI and remit all applicable fees and documentation. The candidate may retake the exam up to three (3) times in a one-year period. If the candidate fails the exam on the third attempt, they must wait one year to take the exam again. The waiting period is designed to allow the candidate time to review the exam content and prepare for the exam.
Where can I find my certification expiration date?
Your expiration date is printed on your certificate. If you cannot locate your certificate, please contact the CBPPS office (phone 617-391-9927 or email cpps@ihi.org), and we will provide you with this information.
How do I maintain my certification?
Following successful completion of the CPPS examination, the certificant is required to maintain certification by fulfilling continuing education (CE) requirements or through successful retest.
Recertification cycle: 3 years
CE requirement: 45 hours total
Accepted types of CE:
- All CE that follows the CPPS content outline is accepted.
- CE options include: educational programs, self-study, CPPS item writing, academic course work, and more.
- See a list of pre-approved specific programs for continuing education (CE) credits toward CPPS Recertification, pre-approved by the Certification Board for Professionals in Patient Safety (CBPPS).
Where can I find a list of current CPPS certificants?
You can find a list of CPPS certificants on IHI's website. If you are newly certified, please allow 4 to 6 weeks for your name to appear on this list.
Are replacement certificates and lapel pins available? How do I submit a request?
Yes, replacement certificates and lapel pins are available. Requests may be submitted by phone (617-391-9927) or email (cpps@ihi.org). A $15 replacement fee applies if shipping within the United States. If shipping internationally please contact us for additional information.
What is the testing experience between taking the exam in person vs. online remote proctoring?
You can watch these brief videos for the PSI Test Center Experience and PSI Online Proctoring Experience.
Please be advised: Using a work computer for the remote proctored exam, even one which passes the System Compatibility Check, is highly discouraged due to administrator firewalls and IT security systems which frequently prevent exam launch.
