Frequently Asked Questions About ACHE Credentialing

1. What are the advantages of becoming board certified in healthcare management and earning the FACHE credential?
2. What are the major requirements that I must meet to earn the FACHE credential?
3. What qualifications do I need before I can submit a Fellow application?
4. What if I do not know any Fellows and need assistance finding three of them to serve as references?
5. What is a Structured Interview?
6. Can I earn Fellow status if I do not have a master’s or other advanced degree?
7. Can I take the Board of Governors Examination before I submit a Fellow application?
8. How should I prepare for the Board of Governors Examination?
9. Once I have passed the Examination, what other requirements do I need?
10. How does ACHE define a healthcare management position?
11. What is the tenure requirement to advance to Fellow status?
12. What are Category I credits?
13. How are Category II credits defined?
14. How far back can I go for my continuing education credits to qualify?
15. Are Fellow projects still an option?
16. Will the changes in the credentialing system alter my Fellow recertification requirements?
17. How does the credentialing system relate to the ACHE Recognition Program?
18. Where do I go for more information or if I have a specific question about my application or advancement status?

1. What are the advantages of becoming board certified in healthcare management and earning the FACHE credential?
   Earning the distinction of board certification in healthcare management as a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) signifies your expertise, experience and commitment to continuing education and professional development. Just as members of the medical staff are board certified, having the FACHE credential by your name indicates a level of achievement in the profession.



2. What are the major requirements that I must meet to earn the FACHE credential?
   The credentialing system is multifaceted and involves academic preparation, healthcare management experience, ACHE tenure, passing the Board of Governors Examination in Healthcare Management, continuing education, references, and community and civic involvement. View a checklist of requirements.



3. What qualifications do I need before I can submit a Fellow application?
   At the time you submit your Fellow application you must hold a healthcare management position, have two years of healthcare management experience, provide a copy of your current job description and organizational chart, provide the names of three references from current Fellows and hold a master’s or other advanced degree. Your application remains valid for three years by which time you must meet all criteria or reapply.



4. What if I do not know any Fellows and need assistance finding three of them to serve as references?
   You can use the Affiliate Directory on ache.org to locate Fellows in your area or across the world. You may also contact your Regent and ask for assistance in identifying Fellows to serve as references (go to the About ACHE area and click on "governance" to find the Regent for your area).



5. What is a Structured Interview?
   The structured interview is a face-to-face (strongly recommended) or telephone meeting in which the Fellow reference asks the Fellow candidate questions to determine the candidate's professional reputation for competence, judgment, integrity and ethics. A list of suggested interview questions can be found on the Structured Interview Fellow Reference Form.



6. Can I earn Fellow status if I do not have a master’s or other advanced degree?
   To be eligible to submit a Fellow application and advance to FACHE status, you must have a master's or other advanced degree.



7. Can I take the Board of Governors Examination before I submit a Fellow application?
   You must first submit your FACHE application. However, you do not need to meet all the Fellow criteria to submit an application (see question #3 above). After submitting your application and after ACHE has received your three references from Fellows, you may be approved to sit for the Board of Governors Examination. Reference forms are contained in the FACHE application, or your reference may obtain a PDF of the form or submit the reference online through the credentialing area. Your Fellow application remains valid for three years while you are completing any remaining requirements.



8. How should I prepare for the Board of Governors Examination?
   There are a wide range of resources available on the Board of Governors Examination area. Many local chapters also organize study sessions. In addition, you may wish to attend a Board of Governors Examination Review Course, participate in the Online Tutorial or purchase the books in the BOG Exam study set .



9. Once I have passed the Examination, what other requirements do I need?
   You must have three years’ tenure as an ACHE Member, five years of healthcare management experience, 40 hours of continuing education in the past five years, 12 hours of which must be Category I (ACHE education), and participation in at least two healthcare and two community/civic activities in the past three years.



10. How does ACHE define a healthcare management position?
    A healthcare management position is one which the person is employed by a healthcare organization or by an organization whose purpose is to influence the growth, development or operations of a healthcare organization. To be eligible for advancement a candidate’s position must include planning, organizing, staffing, leading and controlling functions at the organizational or department level. Eligible positions include but are not limited to C-suite executives (CEOs, COOs. CMOs, CNOs, CIOs etc.) associate and assistant administrative officers, directors as well as specialty management positions of comparable executive authority.



11. What is the tenure requirement to advance to Fellow status?
    The tenure requirement is three years as an ACHE Member, Faculty Associate or International Associate. Tenure as a Student Associate does not apply toward fulfilling this requirement.



12. What are Category I credits?
    Category I (ACHE education) credits are those offered directly by ACHE. Some selected programs offered by ACHE chapters also are approved for Category I (ACHE education) credits.



13. How are Category II credits defined?
    Category II credits are earned for attending face-to-face continuing education programs offered through organizations other than ACHE. To qualify, these courses must address a topic directly related to management practice, be sponsored by an organization qualified to present such continuing education programs, and present a sufficient number of contact hours to address the topic. You should maintain a record of participation in these programs so you can provide us with the program title, provider, and length in contact hours. Note that formal university or college education courses that are required to attain a degree do not qualify as Category II credit.



14. How far back can I go for my continuing education credits to qualify?
    You may apply continuing education credits/contact hours earned in the most recent five-year period prior to becoming a Fellow. You will need 40 total continuing education hours, 12 of which must be Category I (ACHE education). The remaining 28 hours may be either Category I or Category II (non-ACHE education) hours.



15. Are Fellow projects still an option?
    The new credentialing system does not include Fellow projects. However, individuals who already have started Fellow projects may complete them if they wish.



16. Will the changes in the credentialing system alter my Fellow recertification requirements?
    There are no changes in the recertification process, which requires 24 CEUs during the previous three years, at least 12 of which must be Category I (ACHE education) credits, and demonstration of involvement in healthcare and community/civic affairs.



17. How does the credentialing system relate to the ACHE Recognition Program?
    The ACHE Recognition Program (PDF) is separate from the credentialing process. The Recognition Program celebrates affiliates’ commitment to the healthcare management profession through volunteer activities. There are three award levels, and awardees will be acknowledged at their local chapter.



18. Where do I go for more information or if I have a specific question about my application or advancement status?
    If you need further assistance, contact ACHE’s Customer Service Center at (312) 424-9400 or e-mail us at contact@ache.org. You may also wish to refer to the Regulations Governing Admission, Advancement and Recertification. For general questions, refer to the credentialing area.