The Healthcare Quality Certification Board (HQCB) of the National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ) was formed in 1976 to advance the profession of healthcare quality management through the development of a certification program.  The HQCB is the certifying arm of NAHQ.  The HQCB establishes policies, procedures, and standards for certification and recertification in the field of healthcare quality management.  The granting of Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) status recognizes professionals and academic achievement through the individual’s participation in this international voluntary certification program.

The HQCB adopted a name change in 1992 consistent with terminology changes in the field.  Prior to 1992, the HQCB was known as the Quality Assurance Certification Board (CPQA).  This designation also changed.  All current certified professionals and new successful candidates are identified by the designation Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ).  Both the original CPQA logo and the current CPHQ logo have been registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

The CPHQ program has enjoyed consistent and significant growth and recognition since its inception.  From a modest group of 226 adventurous and confident professionals who sat for the first exam in 1984 to over 600 candidates registering for the exam each year. With an average overall pass rate of 72%, there are over 7500 active CPHQ’s practicing in the United Sates and Internationally.

National Association for Healthcare Quality:   The National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ), HQCB’s parent association, is a leading organization for healthcare quality management professionals.  NAHQ comprises more than 5,000 individual members and numerous institutional members.  Its goal is to promote the continuous improvement of quality in healthcare by providing educational and development opportunities for professionals at all management levels and within numerous healthcare settings.