Guide to Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (CCHT) Certification

What patients feel—safety, trust, steadiness—often comes from the behind-the-scenes habits we build: consistent technique, thoughtful checks, and the confidence to speak up when something looks off.

And for dialysis patient care technicians, the 

Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician certification

is one of the most recognized ways to validate that commitment.

What is the CCHT certification?

The Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (

CCHT)

credential is a national recognized certification offered through the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC). It validates that a dialysis technician has the knowledge, skills, and judgment to provide safe hemodialysis care in outpatient and acute dialysis settings. Many dialysis providers and state regulations require national certification to meet workforce readiness and to comply with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Conditions for Coverage for End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) facilities. For technicians seeking to work in chronic or acute dialysis roles, the CCHT is the standard entry-to-practice credential. 

Eligibility and requirements

NNCC’s eligibility requirements for the CCHT are very specific, and and must be met exactly as outlined. You will need: 

• A high school diploma or GED, with documentation (and proof of name change if the name doesn’t match your application).

• Completion of a clinical hemodialysis technician training program that includes classroom instruction and supervised clinical experience, verified by an educator signature or certificate of completion.

• Verification of hands-on clinical experience, either through your training program/facility (if you’re not yet employed) or through an employer supervisor signature (if you have been employed in the last 18 months).

• Compliance with federal and state regulations, including CMS Conditions for Coverage expectations and your state’s rules.

NNCC also recommends, but does not require, six months or 1,000 hours of clinical experience prior to testing. Some states may require more than this for employment or licensure as a dialysis technician.

About the exam

The NNCC CCHT exam includes 150 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within three hours. Approximately 25 of those questions are unscored pilot items used to validate future test questions.

Passing the exam requires achieving a scaled score that typically corresponds to answering around 74 percent of scored questions correctly. The exam focuses on safety, infection prevention, equipment operation, water treatment, patient assessment, and the principles of hemodialysis.

What the exam is really testing

The CCHT exam is designed to validate safe, consistent, patient-centered dialysis practice. It does not only assess factual knowledge; it evaluates how well you can apply that knowledge in real clinical scenarios. The exam focuses on recognizing risk, prioritizing patient safety, responding to equipment or water treatment issues, and following established dialysis best practices.

Study resources that are actually worth your time

If you’re planning your CCHT certification study approach, I recommend the following:

1. Start with NNCC’s exam blueprint and reference list

The blueprint outlines all test content areas, including infection control, water treatment, dialysis complications, equipment safety, and patient monitoring. NNCC also provides a recommended reference list, including the Core Curriculum for the Dialysis Technician.

2. Use structured practice tools

NNCC offers a 50-question online practice exam that is available for 90 days. It helps you understand question style, pacing, and the content areas you need to strengthen.

3. Add real-world exposure

Practical preparation improves retention and confidence. NNCC suggests joining study groups, reviewing high-weight blueprint topics, and gaining supervised experience in areas where you need more exposure.

Practical exam-day prep

Knowledge matters. But so does how you show up.

NNCC’s own guidance acknowledges something I tell clinicians all the time: moderate anxiety is normal—too much gets in your way. Their recommendations include sleep, eating beforehand, arriving early, and bringing required materials (like a government-issued photo ID and your exam permit). 

My add-on, clinician-to-clinician:

• Do one “confidence lap” the day before: review your strongest sections for momentum.

• Make a “must-remember” card (water treatment essentials, infection control, key safety steps) and read it once the morning of, then stop.

Benefits of CCHT certification

Earning the CCHT certification offers several professional and career advantages:

• Patient safety and trust: Hemodialysis is equipment heavy and high acuity. Certification reinforces consistent, safe practice.

• Career mobility: National certification is widely recognized and preferred by dialysis providers across states and facilities.

• Professional credibility: It demonstrates commitment to standards, compliance, and continuous learning.

• Stronger performance under pressure: The study process reinforces the “why” behind safety steps, alarms, and water treatment protocols.

• Alignment with CMS and industry expectations: Certification supports federal and state requirements for dialysis patient care technicians. 

Cost of the certification (and related fees)

NNCC lists these standard fees for the CCHT exam:

• Exam fee: $225

• CBT 90-day extension: $100

• Other potential fees include late, expedited review, incomplete application, and duplicate card/certificate fees.

Renewal information

CCHT certification must be renewed every three years. NNCC provides two primary paths for recertification:

1. Continuing education + clinical experience, or

2. Recertification by examination

From NNCC’s recertification materials, key requirements include:

• 3,000 hours of hemodialysis technician experience within the last three years (verified by a supervisor)

• Completion of required continuing education if renewing by CE pathway 

If continuing education is incomplete by the expiration date, NNCC may require renewal by examination. 

Cost of CCHT renewal

• The recertification application shows an application fee of $100 (with additional fees if late or expedited).

• If recertifying by examination, the recert-by-exam application shows an application fee of $225, with potential late/expedited fees.

Final thoughts

If you are preparing for the CCHT certification, focus your energy on understanding the purpose behind each step of the dialysis process, not only the technique itself. Connect exam content to what you see during real patient care. When a question feels difficult, ask yourself which option best protects the patient. That mindset will guide you on the exam and at the chairside.

Certification is not about knowing everything. It is about demonstrating that your practice is safe, current, and grounded in patient-centered care. The knowledge you build for the exam strengthens your clinical judgment and the way you support your patients every day.

Frequently asked questions about CCHT certification

What is the difference between a dialysis technician and a CCHT? A dialysis technician is a general job title, while the Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (CCHT) credential is a nationally recognized certification offered by the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC). The CCHT confirms that a technician meets national competency standards for safe hemodialysis care. Many dialysis providers require the CCHT to comply with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Conditions for Coverage.

Do I need a specific training program to qualify for the CCHT exam? Yes. You must complete a formal hemodialysis technician training program that includes classroom instruction and supervised clinical experience. Programs must meet state regulations and facility requirements. NNCC also recommends clinical experience prior to sitting for the exam.

How long does it take to become CCHT certified? Timelines vary by state and training program. Most technicians complete their formal training and gain supervised clinical experience before applying for the exam. Many technicians test within a few months of completing their program and orientation with a dialysis provider.

How difficult is the CCHT exam? The exam covers safety, infection control, water treatment, dialysis principles, equipment operation, and patient monitoring. It tests not only factual knowledge but also the ability to apply that knowledge in realistic clinical situations. Technicians who study the NNCC exam blueprint and use practice questions typically feel well prepared.

What score do I need to pass the CCHT exam? The CCHT exam uses a scaled scoring system. Passing generally aligns with answering about 74 percent of scored questions correctly, although the exact cutoff varies based on exam form.

How much does the CCHT exam cost? The standard NNCC exam fee is 225 dollars. Additional fees may apply for late applications, incomplete submissions, or extensions.

How long is CCHT certification valid? CCHT certification is valid for three years. NNCC requires renewal through continuing education and clinical experience or by retaking the exam.

What are the renewal requirements for CCHT certification? To renew, technicians must document 3,000 hours of hemodialysis experience in the prior three years. Renewal by CE requires completion of continuing education in approved dialysis-related topics. If continuing education is incomplete, NNCC may require renewal by examination.

Do I need to keep proof of my CEUs for renewal? Yes. You should keep all CE certificates and documentation. NNCC may audit renewal submissions, and technicians must provide proof of all CE activities if selected.

Can I renew by retaking the CCHT exam? Yes, but most technicians renew through experience and continuing education because it is more convenient and cost effective. Retesting is generally used only when CE requirements are not met.

Does Nomad reimburse for the CCHT certification or its renewal? Nomad does not reimburse for initial credentials that qualify someone to become a clinician. However, Nomad may reimburse job specific credentials, such as state licensure or required life support certifications, when they are necessary for a particular travel assignment.

Is national certification required to work as a dialysis technician? In most dialysis facilities, yes. CMS Conditions for Coverage require dialysis technicians to complete an approved training program and obtain national certification, such as the CCHT, within 18 months of hire.

Where can I find study resources for the CCHT exam?

NNCC provides an exam blueprint, reference list, and a 50-question practice exam. Many technicians also use textbooks such as the Core Curriculum for the Dialysis Technician, employer-based education, online CE courses, and study groups.

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