The CHA Exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions that must be answered within a four hour time period. All test questions are designed to test the candidate’s mastery of various competencies derived from six key areas of knowledge in combination with on-the-job hospitality work experience.

Exam Preparation Booklet
Candidates for the Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) designation will now receive a new CHA Exam Preparation Booklet with their resource materials to streamline and focus their study and exam preparation more effectively. This booklet, along with a CD that includes all three volumes of CHA resource materials, lets candidates assess their knowledge and experience by individual competency, and then directs them to the specific resource by volume, chapter, and subject for study and review. The goal is to help CHA candidates focus their study on the sections of the resource materials on which they need to spend the most time.

Resource Materials CD
The CD contains six key knowledge areas that correspond with the Exam Preparation Booklet. As candidates identify knowledge areas requiring review or additional learning, they can access that information on the CD to read or print out.

Interested in taking your certification exam online? The Educational Institute offers select certifications exams online. Our high-quality exams are designed to ensure maximum value to our customers, and each has been rigorously tested before release.

Candidates must submit an application and meet the necessary prerequisites. All Online Exams require that examinations be administered under the supervision of a proctor.

For additional information call 888-575-8726 or 407-999-8100.

The CHA Assessment Tool is available only to those hospitality candidates who have submitted a CHA application to EI and have met the necessary prerequisites for that certification program.

Candidates for the Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) professional certification can test their readiness for the CHA exam with the new online CHA Assessment Tool available from the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (EI).

The CHA Assessment is an online diagnostic tool to help assess areas of hospitality knowledge, and prepare candidates prior to taking the CHA exam. It will help you gauge your expertise in the knowledge and skills needed by today’s general managers.

The CHA Assessment Tool consists of six 30-question quizzes that correlate to the six sections of the CHA study guide. These knowledge domains include:

• Financial Management
• Sales and Marketing
• Leadership Management
• Human Resources Management
• Rooms Management
• Food and Beverage Management

Each assessment is a short test that can be completed within a limited time period. After completion of the test, an evaluation report indicating your score and skill level against the required benchmark is generated and made available to you.

Each 30-question quiz targets a specific knowledge domain with questions similar in format and content to those contained on the CHA exam. The assessment also:

• provides valuable feedback including a review of missed items answered and a detailed performance report.
• provides instant feed back on incorrect answers.
• identifies where the information maybe found in the study guide for further review.

After completion of the test, which contains questions similar in format and content to those in the CHA exam, candidates receive an evaluation report indicating their score and skill level against the required benchmarks. The assessment includes a detailed performance report and a review of missed questions. It also identifies where the correct information may be found in the CHA study guide for further review.

• 120 days of access to the diagnostic tool
• Three opportunities to practice each section
• Assessment report after each use

Because individual backgrounds vary widely in the hospitality industry, applicants may pursue the CHA designation through one of three options: Plan A emphasizes an education background; Plan B emphasizes industry experience;and Plan C emphasizes early entry. All plans require documented evidence of managerial experience and successful completion of a comprehensive examination.

• Plan A Eligibility -- Education Emphasis
  • At least a 2-year hospitality degree from an accredited institution or successful completion of the Educational Institute's Hospitality Management Diploma

  and

  • Current employment as a general manager, owner/operator, or corporate executive* (see below) in a lodging hospitality company, with at least two years of full-time experience in one or more such positions.
  
   
• Plan B Eligibility -- Experience Emphasis
  • Current employment as a general manager, owner/operator, or corporate executive* (see below) in a lodging hospitality company, with at least three years of full time experience in one or more such positions.
  • Educators Only: Currently teaching hospitality management courses on a full-time basis at an accredited academic institution; three years of experience in this capacity; three years of full-time experience in a management position in a lodging hospitality company.
  
   
• Plan C Eligibility -- Early Entry
  Plan C requires a candidate to hold a qualifying position at the time of application. Plan C does not have an education requirement, but a degree will reduce the length of time you are required to spend in a qualifying position.

  Through Plan C you can begin working on your CHA designation and demonstrating your commitment to professional development the first day on the job. Plan C enables you to take the CHA certification test up to three times so you can gauge your progress and knowledge against an industry proven standard. You no longer need to wait to see if you meet the benchmark of industry quality. You can prove it, and pursue a strong professional development regimen. This plan will allow individuals who are in qualifying positions to pursue their certification even if they are lacking in experience.

  A Plan C candidate who is in a qualifying position:

  • May sit for the examination BEFORE meeting the experience requirement.
  • May take the examination up to 3 times.
  • May sit for the examination while in the process of completing a hospitality degree.
  • Will be required to submit documentation of employment at the time the experience requirement is met.

  *A corporate executive is defined as an individual, employed by a firm responsible for the operation of three or more properties, who serves as a regional or corporate director of operations, or has ultimate corporate responsibility for rooms, marketing, accounting and finance, food and beverage, human resources, or engineering.

• Print, complete and return the application form by mail or fax, along with all supporting documentation and the application/examination fee. You must have Adobe Acrobat to view this application form. Click Adobe Acrobat to download program.
• Ask your supervisor to complete and return the CHA Recommendation/Employment Verification Form that comes with the application. (Owners/operators may use a CHA, regional/area director, or corporate executive as a reference.) Within three weeks, the Educational Institute will review the application and send notification of acceptance.
• Successfully complete the CHA comprehensive exam through a group certification-review class or through an approved proctor. (Consult the calendar for information on review classes and examination sessions.)

Participate in an informally led review workshop, then take the CHA exam. 

Review classes and examination sessions are open to individuals enrolled in the CHA program unless otherwise stated. Individuals who are enrolled in other certification programs are welcomed to take their examination at any of the public sessions listed. Upon registering for a review class and examination session, a letter of confirmation will be sent to you providing you with more details on the particular program.

A typical review class seminar begins at 8:00 a.m. and concludes at noon. After a break for lunch, the comprehensive examination will be proctored. For additional information, contact the Institute by calling (888) 575-8726 All review classes and examination sessions are subject to change without notice. Some programs require a nominal registration fee payable to the sponsoring organization.

Please refer to the Certification calendar for up-to-date listings of review classes and examination sessions.

Ask about holding an EI-sponsored review/exam session at your next convention or through your local state association. Contact the Certification Department via e-mail at certification@ahla.com or call 407-999-8100 or 888-575-8726 for more information.