1.  Review the CCHI Candidate’s Examination Handbook for information about applying for CCHI’s credentialing examinations.

2.  Determine whether you are now eligible or will soon be eligible to take the exam. (To review the prerequisites, click here.) 

3.  Complete the CCHI Exam Application online and pay your application fee. All applications must be submitted electronically. Mailed or faxed applications will not be accepted.

4.  Within one business day of submitting your application, you will receive an email notification of receipt of your application. If you do not receive this confirmation, send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   Click here to read the frequently asked questions.

5.  Within four weeks after you submitted your application you will receive an email notification of your eligibility and instructions on how to schedule your examination and pay the relevant examination fees. Please read all instructions and notifications from CCHI carefully and follow the directions. CCHI sends information on eligible candidates to its testing vendor twice per month so you should receive a scheduling notice within three weeks of paying your examination fee.  If you do not, please email  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Examinations will be offered in testing centers in cities throughout the United States. All applicants must take the AHI™ exam. CHI™ candidates who pass the AHI™ exam will then receive information on how to schedule the CHI™ oral performance exam which will be offered only during certain testing “windows” each quarter.

NOTE:  Interpreters for whom an oral performance examination is available are ineligible to receive the AHI™ credential.  These interpreters must pass both the written and oral performance exams before being awarded the CHI™ certification by CCHI.

6.  Gather the necessary documentation to verify that you meet all the eligibility requirements in the event that CCHI audits your application. 

7.  Download and review the Test Content Outline for the pilot exam. These documents were used to create the AHI™ and CHI™ exams. Develop and follow your personal study plan. This could include self study, finding a study buddy or group, reviewing currents textbooks or articles. Click here to view the test content blueprint and read the full report.

8.  Take the CCHI Examination(s).

9.  Receive your test results. Those who pass the exam will be awarded a CCHI credential. You will receive your official AHI™ exam results in approximately four to six weeks of taking the exam. You will receive your official CHI™ exam results in approximately eight to ten weeks after taking the exam.

10.  You will receive an official AHI™ or CHI™ certificate documenting your achievements via email within four weeks of receiving your official test results.  If you do not receive this, send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

NOTE:   Interpreters for whom an oral performance examination is available are ineligible to receive the AHI™ credential and will not receive an AHI™ certificate after passing the AHI™ examination. These interpreters must pass both the written and oral performance exams before being awarded the CHI™ certification and receiving a CHI™ certificate.