CCHT Exam Format 2026: 150 Questions in 3 Hours
November 2, 2026 · Alex S. · reviewed by Hana N., Quality Reviewer · how we write
The CCHT exam has 150 questions and must be completed in 3 hours. Clinical is the largest of four practice areas at 48-52% of the exam.
The CCHT exam has 150 questions, and you must complete it in 3 hours. The questions follow a blueprint with four practice areas, and Clinical is the largest at 48-52% of the exam. About 25 of the 150 questions are unscored pilot items.
Preparing for the CCHT? Take a free readiness test and see which topics to study first. Or see the CCHT study guide.
The blueprint
| Practice area | Share of exam | Items out of 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical | 48-52% | 71-78 |
| Technical | 21-25% | 32-38 |
| Environment | 13-17% | 19-25 |
| Role Responsibilities | 10-14% | 15-20 |
NNCC publishes ranges rather than exact counts, so your exam can land anywhere inside them. With 150 questions in 180 minutes, you have 1 minute 12 seconds per question on average (our arithmetic).
Two thirds of the exam is application
NNCC also sorts questions by thinking level. Application questions, which ask you to apply learned facts to a new situation and solve a problem, make up 63-67% of the exam. The rest is split between comprehension (interpreting, comparing, explaining) and plain knowledge of facts and terms. Expect questions framed as situations to handle, more than definitions to recall.
The tasks behind each area
NNCC's test specifications list the activities each area is built from, 88 in all:
- Clinical (44 activities): cannulating an access, setting the machine to the prescription, monitoring the patient, discontinuing treatment, following protocols for hypotension and cramps.
- Technical (12 activities): machine pressure and alarm tests, checking dialysate conductivity and pH, monitoring the water treatment system, mixing concentrates, troubleshooting equipment.
- Environment (15 activities): standard precautions, disinfecting equipment and surfaces, preventing falls, emergency exits, responding to a fire during treatment.
- Role Responsibilities (17 activities): privacy, confidentiality and dignity, documentation, hand-offs at shift change, communication, patient education.
Who can sit the exam
- A high school diploma or GED.
- Completion of a hemodialysis technician training program with both classroom instruction and supervised clinical experience.
- Compliance with federal and state rules, including the CMS Conditions for Coverage for ESRD facilities.
- Six months (1,000 hours) of clinical experience is recommended, not required.
Fees, applying and test day
The exam fee is $225, and it includes a $50 non-refundable application processing fee. Applications go to NNCC's testing partner, C-NET, and a permit can take up to 4 weeks after the application arrives. NNCC lists an expedited review at $75. Once you have the permit, you schedule the computer-based test. NNCC's preparation guide says to arrive 30 minutes early with a valid government-issued photo ID and your permit.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the CCHT exam?
There are 150 questions. About 25 are new pilot questions that are not scored.
How long is the CCHT exam?
You have 3 hours to complete it.
Which area has the most questions?
Clinical, at 48-52% of the exam, which is 71-78 of the 150 items.
Do I need work experience to apply?
You need a completed training program with supervised clinical experience. NNCC recommends 6 months (1,000 hours) of clinical experience but does not require it.
Official sources
- NNCC: Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (CCHT)
- NNCC: CCHT Test Blueprint (PDF)
- NNCC: CCHT Test Specifications (PDF)
- NNCC: How the CCHT Examination is Developed (PDF)
- NNCC: CCHT Certification Preparation Guide (PDF)
Checked against the sources above on November 2, 2026. Exam bodies change fees and rules: confirm on the official page before you register.