If you need help studying for the Certified Hyperbaric Technologist (CHT) exam or just want some more information about what the exam is like, you’ve come to the right place.
Click below to take a free CHT practice test!
Exam Eligibility
Before you can register to take the Certified Hyperbaric Technologist exam, you’ll have to meet the following requirements:
- You need a high school diploma (or an equivalent)
- You need to have completed an NBDHMT-approved hyperbaric medicine intro training course within the last three years
- You need to have at least 480 hours of clinical work experience in undersea hyperbaric medicine or aviation medical technology
If you meet these requirements, you’re set to begin the registration process!
What’s on the Exam?
There are 120 questions on the exam, which are a mix of multiple-choice and true-or-false, and the time limit is 2 hours.
Let’s take a closer look at the different sections of the exam.
Minimum General Requirements
- Physical aspects of pressurized exposure
- Basic calculations for the conversion of common pressure units
- Basic physical units used in diving and hyperbaric practice
- Boyle’s Law
- Dalton’s Law
- Gay-Lussac’s Law
- Henry’s Law
- Heat transfer
- Mechanisms of action for UHMS-recommended hyperbaric oxygen therapy indications
- Direct effects of pressure change
- Signs and symptoms of decompression illness
- Relevant aspects of diving and hyperbaric medicine on anatomy and physiology
- Providing clinical support and assisting in the prevention and/or management of pressure-related problems
Gas Systems
- Tests for purity and oxygen content of gases
- Mathematical calculations of gas usage
- Principles and use of gas analyzers
- Importance of oxygen cleanliness within a hyperbaric delivery system
- Gas line filtration
- Calibration of gas analyzers
- Basis for gas stratification and its prevention
- Maintaining a legible and accurate record of all aspects of the hyperbaric delivery system
- Maintaining a gas status board showing gas reserves and mixtures
Chamber Operations and Environment
- Understanding the roles and duties of inside attendants during chamber operation
- Key differences and purposes of monoplace versus multiplace chambers
- Guidelines for safely managing and storing high-pressure gas cylinders
- Overview of emergency protocols for fire, oxygen failure, communication loss, and medical events
- Proper usage and maintenance of fire suppression systems within the chamber environment
- Steps for performing pre- and post-dive inspections using standardized checklists
- Recognizing substances and materials that must not be introduced into the chamber
- Systematic procedures for compression and decompression based on clinical needs
- Design and operational features of medical locks used in hyperbaric therapy
- How to identify and distinguish between different gas cylinders
- Inspection and maintenance protocols for acrylic viewports in pressure chambers
- Process for conducting system checks and basic user maintenance before and after chamber use
- Operating principles and safety considerations for gas supplies used in multiplace patient breathing setups
- Design, function, and inspection of valves, hoses, regulators, fittings, gauges, and piping systems
- Operational and maintenance procedures for air, medical gas, and fluid delivery systems
- Understanding the working principles of various hyperbaric equipment types
- Monitoring practices for both internal operations and internal/external gas quality
- Roles of relevant regulatory bodies and professional organizations in hyperbaric operations
- Understanding different thread types and the reasoning behind their design
- Fundamentals of chamber life support systems with focus on pre-use inspections
- Responsibilities related to running a hypo/hyperbaric chamber during treatment sessions
Clinical Skills (Supervised)
- Assessing patient for pain and document findings
- Obtaining vital signs
- Observing for changes in neurological status
- Knowing when to use appropriate clean and sterile techniques
- Collection and removal of patient waste products
- Assisting in patient care procedures; dressing changes
- Basic EKG recognition
- Ability to safely operate stretchers, gurneys, wheelchairs, beds, and other assistive devices
- Complying with quality control measures
- Preparing patient for treatment
Generalized Clinical Knowledge
- Maintaining CPR
- Ability to establish an airway
- Describing the signs, symptoms, and immediate management of hyperthermia and hypothermia
- Describing the general effects of gases on the body
- Describing the effects of pressure on the body
- Proper body mechanics to protect from self injury
- Communication with all levels of hyperbaric team
- Reinforcing age-specific teaching
- Performing TCOM testing
- Basic medical terminology
- Proper use and application of restraints when ordered by physician
- Patient privacy and confidentiality
- Medical record-keeping
Infection Control Measures
- Universal precautions
- Use of approved disinfectants for chamber and equipment
- Recognizing risks associated with off gassing of chemicals in the chamber
- Handwashing
- Personal protective equipment
How to Register
Once you’ve ensured that you meet all of the eligibility requirements, you can register for the exam!
To get started, you’ll need to submit an application on NDBHMT’s website. The application will ask you for your contact information and any documentation to prove your eligibility (among other things).
When you submit the application, you’ll also need to submit the testing fee, which is $175.
CHRN Study Guide and Flashcards
Get practice questions, detailed study lessons, and complex subjects broken down into easily understandable concepts.
Exam Scores
The scoring method for the CHT exam is a raw score directly based on your performance.
For example, if you get 78 questions right, your score will be 78. A passing score is a score of 84, so you must answer at least 70% of the questions correctly to pass.
Retaking the Exam
If you didn’t get a passing score on your first try, that’s okay! You can retake the test after a 3-month waiting period.
Keep in mind that you will have to pay the full testing fee every time you retake the test.
FAQs
How many questions are on the CHT exam?
The exam contains 120 questions.
What is the time limit for the CHT exam?
The exam is timed at 2 hours.
What is the passing score for the CHT exam?
You’ll need to get a final score of at least 70% to pass.
How much does the CHT exam cost?
The testing fee is $175.