Hospitality CHA Exam (Certified Hotel Administrator) Detailed Information
Overview
The Certified Hotel Administrator (
CHA®) is the most prestigious certification available to hotel general managers and hospitality executives. It identifies the recipient as being part of an elite group of hospitality professionals who, by combining education and experience with dedication to the industry, have achieved a high level of expertise.
Globally recognized, the
CHA® is a highly respected professional credential that validates your advanced knowledge in the hospitality industry. It is an honor awarded to lodging professionals whose leadership and managerial abilities are exemplary.
Achieving the
CHA® certification announces that you have a place among the best in your profession, are abreast of current trends and latest hospitality protocols; and serves as leverage in current and future career opportunities.
Fee includes: access to
CHA® review program online for one year from date of pur
CHAse; certificate and lapel pin upon successful completion of the exam.
Updated program features:
Review material on the go, download program content to your desktop computer or mobile device, tablet, or laptop for offline reading.
New section on revenue management.
Content in modular format by topic makes it easy to review material in any order.
Each module includes a practice quiz that may be taken as many times as needed before attempting the final certification exam questions.
New certification exam format enables candidates to complete questions at the end of each module, rather than having to take one comprehensive final exam.
Recertification
Once certified, designees are automatically enrolled in the
CHA® Recertification Program, which recognizes and rewards continuing efforts toward hospitality career growth. A portfolio to help track professional-development activities is provided. Every five years, the Certification Commission will recertify those who qualify based on their accomplishments. A new jeweled lapel pin (reflecting the number of years certified) and certificate are awarded at the time of each recertification.
Free Courses Count Toward Recertification
Schneider Electric's Energy University™ offers many free courses that count as education points toward recertification for the Certified Hotel Administrator (
CHA®) Recertification designation. For more information visit the MyEnergy University website to enroll today.
CHA® Emeritus Award
The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute recognizes the achievements of those leaders whose long-term dedication and commitment to excellence and further education have shaped and inspired our industry.
The
CHA® Emeritus is presented only to select Certified Hotel Administrators after a career of distinguished achievements.
This is not an annual award; it is bestowed only when AHLEI's Certification Commission and Board of Trustees finds a candidate who has shaped the industry through leadership, education, and service.
The career of a
CHA® Emeritus is marked by distinguished achievement in all facets of the industry, signifying a commitment to the past, present, and future of the hospitality environment.
Industry leaders honored with the Emeritus award, include:
Joseph R. Kane Jr.,
CHA (Wyndham Hotel Group)
Steve Rushmore,
CHA (HVS)
Raman P. Rama (JHM Hotels)
Myron Levy (Roosevelt University in Chicago)
Gene Rupnik (Rupnik Hospitality Management)
Caroline Cooper (Alan Shawn Feinstein Graduate School)
Pedro Mandoki (Mandoki Hospitality, Inc)
Ri
CHArd C. Nelson (Hyatt Hotels)
Paul O'Neil (Kerzner International)
Tony Farris (Quorum Hotels & Resorts)
Prerequisites
Because individual backgrounds vary widely in the hospitality industry, applicants may pursue the
CHA® designation if currently employed for a minimum of two years in these qualifying positions:
General Manager, owner/operator in a lodging hospitality company, or corporate executive* at a lodging hospitality company responsible for the operation of two or more properties.
Assistant General Manager or Director of Operations/Rooms Division (after successfully completing the CRDE® certification)
Applicants may reduce the time requirement with one of the the following:
One current AH&LA department head certification-takes one year off time requirement (limit 1)
A degree from an accredited academic institution-takes one year off time requirement (limit 1)
*A corporate executive is defined as an individual, employed by a firm responsible for the operation of two or more properties, who serves as a regional or corporate director of operations, or has ultimate corporate responsibility for rooms, marketing, finance, food and beverage, revenue management, human resources, or engineering.
How to Apply
CHA® Online Application
Start by accessing the online application and have the following documents available:
Current Resume
Job Description
Copy of diploma or transcripts (if applying to take one year off time requirement using a degree from an accredited academic institution)
Once your application has been reviewed, you will receive an email notification. Upon acceptance into the
CHA® program you will be provided with a link to order the
CHA® review online and submit payment for the program fee.
CHA® Review Program
The Certified Hotel Administrator (
CHA®) review program is a self-paced online program to help prepare general managers and hotel operators for the
CHA® certification exam. The program is accessible for online viewing or can be reviewed on the go by downloading the program content to a handheld mobile device, tablet or laptop for offline reading. The program is segmented by modules.
Topics include:
Financial Management
Food and Beverage Management
Human Resources
Leadership
Marketing and Sales
Revenue Management
Rooms Management
The modules allow you to focus on one area at a time in no specific order. Each module includes a practice quiz that may be taken as many times as needed before attempting to take any final sections of the certification exam.
The
CHA® review program is only available to individuals who meet the necessary prerequisites and have submitted an online application to AHLEI.
CHA® Exam
The final
CHA® certification exam is broken down by sections located at the end of each module. Each section of the final exam has 35 questions, and participants are allowed 35 minutes to complete it. The passing score for each segment is 70% or higher. Participants are allowed two attempts to pass each section of the final certification exam. If a passing score is not achieved participants may pur
CHAse two additional retakes for $100.00 per section.
Review Session
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 session begins at 8:00 a.m. and concludes at noon. After a break for lunch, the comprehensive examination will be proctored. All review classes and examination sessions are subject to
CHAnge without notice. Some review sessions may require a nominal registration fee payable to the sponsoring organization.
Earn College Credit for your
CHA®
American Public University
Through an agreement with American Public University, those who hold the Certified Hotel Administrator (
CHA®) designation can earn undergraduate or graduate credit for their certification when they enroll in certain American Public University programs of study. For complete details, visit the Educational Institute page on American Public University's website.
University of Phoenix
The University of Phoenix offers undergraduate or graduate credit for the Certified Hotel Administrator (
CHA®) designation through its prior learning assessment (PLA) process when enrolling into a bachelor's or master's degree program. Details on academic credits are available on the Credit Recommendation Guide for EI courses and certifications, including the
CHA®.
American Council on Education (ACE)
The Certified Hotel Administrator (
CHA®) has been recommended for college credit by the American Council on Education (ACE). The American Council on Education College Credit Recommendation Service (ACE CREDIT) has reviewed EI's Certified Hotel Administrator (
CHA) certification and determined that it is worth six semester credits at an upper-division baccalaureate degree level and three semester credits at a graduate degree level in hospitality management.
ACE's College Credit Recommendation Service (ACE CREDIT) connects workplace learning with colleges and universities by helping adults gain access to academic credit at colleges and universities for formal courses and examinations taken in the workplace or other settings outside traditional higher education. The service reviews programs and assigns to them a suggested level of college credit. Individuals applying to a college or university may submit ACE-recommended programs for possible awarding of college credit by that institution
