NAHAM CERTIFICATION COMMISSION

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………….. 3

NAHAM Mission Statement …………………………………………………………………… 3Statement of Purpose……………………………………………………………………………. 3Credentials ……………………………………………………………………………………… 3Definitions………………………………………………………………………………………. 3Effective Date………………………………………………………………………………….... 4

II. The NAHAM Certification Program Overview ………………………………… 4

The CHAA and CHAM Exam ……………………………………………………………….… 4Examination Format……………………………………………………………………………. 4Eligibility Requirements………………………………………………………………………... 5Denial of Eligibility……………………………………………………………………………... 6Participation……………………………………………………………………………………... 6Fees……………………………………………………………………………………………… 6Application Submission…………………………………………………………………………. 7Proctor Selection………………………………………………………………………………… 7Rescheduling an Examination………………………………………………………………… 7Re-Examination………………………………………………………………………………….. 7Certification Maintenance………………………………………………………………………..8Revocation of Certification………………………………………………………………………8Disciplinary Action……………………………………………………………………………… 9Reinstatement……………………………………………………………………………………. 9

III. Examination Administration

Test Administration and Scoring…………………………………………………………… 10

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Test Accommodations…………………………………………………………………………... 10Candidates with Disabilities……………………………………………………………………..10Nondiscrimination Policy……………………………………………………………………….. 10

IV. Records Maintenance and Retention…………………………………………… 11V. Test Development……………………………………………………………………….... 11VI. Professional Practice and Disciplinary Policy……………………………………12VII. Certification Governance, Structure and Function……………………… 13

The Certification Commission…………………………………………………………………..13Purpose…………………………………………………………………………………………... 13Composition and Terms…………………………………………………………………………. 14Sub-Committees…………………………………………………………………………………. 14Commission Responsibilities…………………………………………………………………….15Certification Commission Vacancy……………………………………………………………15Member Removal………………………………………………………………………………... 16Meetings…………………………………………………………………………………………. 16

VIII. Review and Modification of Policies…………………………………………… 16IX. Votes/Decisions……………………………………………………………………………...16

I. INTRODUCTION

A. NAHAM MISSION STATEMENT

The National Association of Healthcare Access Management provides quality educational programming and interaction for professionals engaged in the management of patient access services in healthcare delivery.

B. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM) has established theNAHAM Certification Program for the following purposes:

- To establish the body of knowledge of front line staff and managers for patient access services;

- To assess the level of knowledge demonstrated by those working in patient access services in a valid and reliable manner;

- To encourage professional growth in the field;- To formally recognize individuals who meet the requirements set by the

Certification Commission; and- To serve the public by encouraging quality in patient access services.

C. CREDENTIALS

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The National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM) shall offer the following credentials:

o The Certified Healthcare Access Manager (CHAM)o The Certified Healthcare Access Associate (CHAA)

D. DEFINITIONS

Policy: A decision which obligates actions or subsequent decisions on similar matters.

Procedure: Steps required to achieve a result.

Guidelines: Approved, non-binding statements used to direct the procedures and standards.

Standard: An approved, binding statement used to judge quality of action or activity.

For Cause: Failure to comply with this Policy and Procedures Manual, NAHAM’s Standards of Practice, Code of Ethics, definition of good standing, policies, procedures, bylaws, federal and state laws.

Good Standing: Certification status is current with no disciplinary actions affecting the certificant’s status.

Date of Application: Date on which an application is received by NAHAM after payment has been successfully processed.

E. EFFECTIVE DATE

These policies are effective May 25, 2011, are the current policies of NAHAM, and supersede all previous policies. Periodic updates may be made to these policies on a regular basis.

II. NAHAM CERTIFICATION PROGRAM OVERVIEW

THE CHAA AND CHAM EXAM

Both the CHAM and CHAA certification examinations have been designed to meet testing industry standards for validity and reliability. The activities related to the NAHAM Credential Program are organized and overseen by the Certification Commission of NAHAM.

The Certified Healthcare Access Manager (CHAM)3

The credential program was developed in 1977 and was originally known as the Accredited Admitting Manager (AAM) credential. The name of this certification was changed to Certified Healthcare Access Manager in the late 1990s to align the examination’s name with the name of the association and to more broadly reflect the scope of practice of those working in patient access services.

The Certified Healthcare Access Associate (CHAA)

The credential program was launched in the fall of 1999 and was developed to elevate professional standards, enhance individual performance, and designate individuals that demonstrate the knowledge essential in patient access services at the front-line staff level.

B. EXAMINATION FORMAT

Number of Questions

The CHAM and CHAA examinations are both 115-question multiple choice examinationsdesigned to test and challenge the candidate’s knowledge of and experience in the field of patient access services.

Duration of ExamBoth examinations are two (2) hours long and are proctored.

Computer-Based Testing (CBT)Examinations are Internet-based, unless administered at a NAHAM Annual Conference.

Paper and Pencil TestingPaper-and-Pencil examinations are only available at the NAHAM Annual Conference.

Exam CompositionThe composition of both examinations is guided by extensive research on the job tasks performed and knowledge needed by those working in patient access services. Candidates are required to demonstrate proficiency by answering questions that evaluate proficiency in the following areas provided in the content outline. The content outline and contents are reviewed every five to seven years as part of the job analysis:

CHAA Content Outline

- Pre-encounter- Encounter- Future Development

CHAM Content Outline

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- Pre-Arrival- Arrival

Access Management

C. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Eligible candidates must meet the standing minimum eligibility requirements. Standing minimum eligibility requirements will be published in the most current edition of the Candidate Guide to Certification.

Consent to Audit

Candidates must read and agree to the processes and parameters of the NAHAM program as described in NAHAM’s Candidate Guide to Certification.

Education/Work Experience

To demonstrate eligibility, candidates must submit an application documenting compliance with the following formal education, work experience, and professional conduct requirements:

C HA M 1. Two (2) years management experience in the healthcare or finance industry

2. High school diploma or GED equivalent plus 90 professional development contact hours earned within the previous three (3) years; or a four-year degree from an accredited institution in healthcare, business, or related field

3. Signature of one (1) supervisor or course instructor/advisor and one (1) CHAM- certified individual

C H A A 1. One (1) year in healthcare or finance industry; or successful completion of an

accredited college program in healthcare; or, effective March 1, 2014, successful completion of an approved community college program in patient access

2. High school diploma or GED equivalent plus 30 professional development contact hours earned within the previous two (2) years; or an Associate’s degree from an accredited institution

ReferencesCandidates must confirm references and provide name and contact information of their supervisor or course instructor. NAHAM may contact this individual for confirmation of eligibility.

Completion of Application & Fee

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Candidates must submit an online application and required fee to fulfill the NAHAM Certification eligibility requirements.

NAHAM AuditNAHAM audits a percentage of all applications received to ensure candidates have met the basic eligibility requirements and that if contacted will provide within five business days documentation confirming that they have met the basic eligibility requirements.

D. DENIAL OF ELIGIBILITY

Eligibility for any NAHAM Certification Program may be denied when:

The application is incomplete. The application is not accompanied by the correct fees.

o An application and its supporting documentation do not adequately substantiate or properly demonstrate that the applicant has met the minimum eligibility criteria (as determined during the audit process)

When an application for NAHAM Certification Program eligibility is denied the applicant will be notified in writing and the application fee will not be returned. Denied applications may be resubmitted, with full fees, upon completion of all eligibility criteria, or may be appealed.

E. PARTICIPATION

Participation in the certification program is voluntary and open to anyone meeting the eligibility requirements. Membership in NAHAM is not required.

F. FEES

Certification

Exam

CHAM – The application fee is $175 for NAHAM members and $350 for non-members for the first attempt. The second attempt requires pre-payment of a $50 retesting fee.

CHAA – The application fee is $125 for both NAHAM members and non-members for the first attempt. The second attempt requires pre-payment of a $25 retesting fee.

Candidates that choose to change to a future test period will be charged a test change fee of$50.

Certification Maintenance/Renewal

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CHAM – The non-refundable processing fee for renewals is $50 for NAHAM members and $100 for non-members, due when the Renewal Form is submitted.

CHAA – The non-refundable processing fee for renewals is $25 for both NAHAM members and non-members, due when the Renewal Form is submitted.

G. APPLICATION SUBMISSION

Applications and fees must be submitted a minimum of one (1) month prior to the testing month. Test date and proctor information must be included on the application. NAHAM will notify the candidate and proctor of the candidate’s examination application status at least two (2) weeks before the desired testing date.

H. PROCTOR SELECTION

It is the responsibility of the candidate to identify and confirm a qualified proctor. The NAHAM Administrative Office is not responsible for selecting and securing proctors for examination candidates. A proctor must be in a management position, may not be your supervisor or in your line of command, and cannot be currently enrolled to take a NAHAM Certification exam.

I. RESCHEDULING AN EXAMINATION

A candidate can reschedule an examination within the same examination cycle and must notify their proctor to reschedule. If a candidate wishes to register within another examination cycle they must contact the NAHAM Administrative Office and pay a transfer fee. If a candidate does not reschedule within these guidelines and fails to appear for the examination, that candidate will forfeit the entire exam registration fee.

J. RE-EXAMINATION

Candidates who are unsuccessful on the examination may retake the examination during the following testing window. Candidates cannot retake the exam in the same testing window. Candidates that are unsuccessful with the retake examination must complete and resubmit the initial application and fee.

K. CERTIFICATION MAINTENANCE

RecertificationCertification is valid for a period of two (2) years, at which time certificants must complete the required number of professional development contact hours, recertification application and submit a fee for their respective credential. Individuals who do not meet recertification requirements will lose their certified status.

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CHAA – Thirty (30) professional development contact hours must be completed with the past two years.

CHAM – Sixty (60) professional development contact hours must be completed with the past two years. Commencing in June 2015, ten (10) of the 60 professional development contact hours must be NAHAM approved.

The process for obtaining recertification is described in full in the Certification Maintenance Handbook. Additionally, NAHAM’s website will be kept current with all information individuals need to know to successfully maintain their certification.

It is the certified individual’s responsibility to know when they need to renew their certification as well as the fees, processes, and policies associated with certification maintenance.

Re-Examination

Certificants that allow their certification to expire may recertify by taking the examination or completing the retroactive maintenance program- see below. Certificants that choose to retake the exam and do not pass, forfeit the opportunity to recertify through the Retroactive Maintenance Program.

Retroactive Maintenance Program

In June 2010 the Certification Commission of NAHAM adopted a Retroactive Certification Maintenance Program. This program enables those who missed their CHAM or CHAA certification maintenance submission deadlines to retain their credential if they are able to document their continuing education activities for the time period(s) they should have reported had they participated in the normal maintenance program.

CHAA Retroactive Maintenance is $100 for each cycle missed.CHAM Retroactive Maintenance for NAHAM members is $150 for each cycle missed.CHAM Retroactive Maintenance for non-members is $300 for each cycle missed.

L. REVOCATION OF CERTIFICATION

Certification may be revoked for falsification of an application or application materials, violation of examination procedures or security, violation of the NAHAM’s code of ethics, or failure to meet recertification requirements. Before a certification is revoked, the individual will be informed of the basis of such action and will be afforded an opportunity to appeal.

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The NAHAM Certification Commission is the only entity authorized to make suspension or revocation decisions with respect to disciplinary actions, subject to appeals brought to the Commission in accordance with the established certification policies and procedures.

M. DISCIPLINARY ACTIONThe Certification Commission may take disciplinary action against any certificant who is found guilty of one or more of the following:

o Obtaining certification or a renewing certification through the use of fraud or deceit or assisting another person to do so; or

o Misrepresenting one’s self as a current CHAA or CHAM certificant; oro Violation of one or more of the provisions in the NAHAM Code of Professionalo Conduct; oro Unauthorized possession, distribution, or use of any NAHAM

examination-related materials or assisting another person to do so

All complaints of alleged violations must be submitted in writing to the NAHAM Headquarters. The written complaint must include the nature of the alleged violation as well as the names of the involved parties. The name of the complainant will be kept confidential by the Certification Commission, however, no complaints may be submitted anonymously. Alleged violations received by the NAHAM Headquarters will be forwarded to the Certification Commission for review.

The Certification Commission will investigate all received ethical complaints. Investigation efforts may include interview with the alleged party in question, interview with other parties involved for the purposes of obtaining information deemed applicable to the specific violation and review of applicable documentation and data. The Certification Commission may elicit assistance from NAHAM Headquarters staff or legal counsel when necessary during the investigation process. All interviews and documentation information shall be held confidential throughout all stages of the investigation process.

If the Certification Commission determines that grounds exist to take disciplinary action against a candidate or a certificant, it may take one or more of the following actions or such other action(s) as the Certification Commission may deem appropriate:

o Deny a candidate’s application for examination or certification, or a certificant’s application for recertification;

o Require a candidate to retake one or more examinations

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o Invalidate the examination score(s) of a candidate; require a candidate to wait a specified period of time before reapplying to take the examination(s); and/or revoke a candidate’s eligibility to sit for future examinations;

o Issue the individual a reprimand;o Require the individual to engage in remedial education and/or training;o Revoke a certificant’s certification

N. REINSTATEMENT

Requests for reinstatements of certification revoked on account of disciplinary actions must be in writing and will be reviewed by the Certification Commission on the last Friday of the month.

III. EXAMINATION ADMINISTRATON

A. TEST ADMINISTRATION AND SCORING

1. Exam Cycle: The CHAA and CHAM Examinations are administered four (4) times annually for one (1) full month: January, April, July, and October. NAHAM offers the paper/pencil examination at the NAHAM Annual Educational Conference.

2. Application Deadline: Applications and fees must be received a minimum of one (1) month prior to the testing month. Test date and proctor information must be included on the application.

3. Candidate Notification: NAHAM will notify the candidate and proctor of candidate examination application status at least two (2) weeks before the desired testing date.

4. Exam Results: Candidates who take the examination will receive results on the computer screen immediately following the completion of the exam. For security reasons, results will not be given over the phone or sent by fax or e-mail. Results will appear in the certificant’s record in Certification Central.

Paper-Pencil exam results will be sent out via regular mail to certificants and stored in the certificant’s record in Certification Central.

5. Hand-Scoring: Any candidate may request a hand-score of his or her answer sheet. Requests must be made in writing to NAHAM and will be communicated to SMT. A notice of the hand-score results will be sent by certified mail to the candidate within three weeks of the request. The results of the hand-score will be final.

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B. TESTING ACCOMMODATIONS

Testing will be done at a suitable location, date and time agreed upon by the candidate and their proctor.

C. CANDIDATES WITH DISABILITIES

A candidate with a documented visual, physical, hearing, or learning disability that would prevent the candidate from taking the CHAA or CHAM examinations under standard conditions may request special testing accommodations and arrangements as required by law. Candidates must complete the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Notification form and return it with the required documentation along with the examination application. Disability accommodation requests will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

D. NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY

NAHAM does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, gender, age, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin, religion, disability, creed, marital status, or any other protected class as defined and prohibited by law.

IV. RECORDS MAINTENANCE AND RETENTION

Confidential Information

The nature, format, content and results of examinations administered by the NAHAM Certification and all application materials are considered confidential information and will be treated as such in accordance with policies and procedures adopted by the Certification Commission, unless appropriate permission is obtained or where otherwise required by law.

Record Maintenance and Retention

Further, the NAHAM Certification Program and its testing agency stores, processes, and uses data collected from application forms and test score reports. Data is stored only to the extent necessary for processing and validating applications/examination scores and in compliance with related record retention regulations. Under no circumstances will individual data or test scores be shared with any entity outside of the NAHAM Certification Program and its testing agency, unless permission is obtained from the candidate or certificant or unless otherwise required by law. Candidate test scores are not released by telephone or electronically, but only in written form as an official NAHAM Certification document. The NAHAM Certification Program may develop and publish statistical data regarding the exams provided that the identities of the candidates are not divulged.

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V. TEST DEVELOPMENT

Job Analysis

A job analysis study of the patient access services will be performed no less than every five years. The purpose of the study will be to identify the day-to-day responsibilities performed by patient access professionals and the knowledge required to perform these responsibilities. The study findings will serve as the foundation for developing the examination specifications. These specifications will identify the linkages between the responsibility and knowledge areas and will outline the following: (a) the topics to be covered on the examination, (b) the number of questions per topic area to be included on each examination, and (c) the cognitive level at which questions for each topic area should be written. The examination specifications can be reviewed and adjusted by the Certification Commission, as necessary, to reflect current professional practice, government regulations, etc. All examination forms will be assembled in accordance with the examination specifications.

Exam DevelopmentNAHAM has contracted with Schroeder Measurement Technologies (SMT) to develop, score, and administer the CHAM and CHAA examinations. SMT is an established, full-service international testing company serving the needs of licensing boards and credentialing agencies with a wide range of test development and computer-based administration services.

Questions on the exam are written by current certificants who have been trained in writing multiple-choice items by SMT. Every two years, four (4) to eight (8) subject matter experts are selected to write items for the examination. Item writers are reviewed and selected by the Certification Commission based on the strength of their NAHAM Certification Commission Item Writer Application. Items written are assessed for content, level of difficulty, accuracy, and correctness. Once approved, SMT works with psychometric experts to ensure consistency of question format and to be included in the bank of examination questions.

From that bank, SMT prepares a draft examination based on the exam specifications. The item writers then meet and review the draft exam, substituting questions as needed to further balance and match the content of the examination to the test blueprint and releasing a new exam form.

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The CBT and paper-and-pencil exams are the same examinations; the only difference is the format. Paper-and-pencil is only available at the NAHAM Annual Conference.

Pretesting of ItemsTo enable the addition of new items with proven sound statistical attributes to the active item bank, up to 15 new items will be pre-tested on each examination form. Pre-test items will not be scored. Pre-test items will be intermingled among the active items and candidates will not know which items are being the pre-tested. Candidates will be informed that 15 of the test items are pre-test items.

Passing Standards and Equating

The passing standard shall be set using a criterion-referenced methodology. A panel of Subject Matter Experts will be convened to determine the passing standard. This panel of experts in conjunction with the testing experts at SMT) will then submit a recommend passing standard to the Certification Commission who will then vote to accept the passing standard or have the capability to adjust the standard within the range of acceptable scores (as prescribed by SMT).

Whenever examinee volumes permit, equating will be used to maintain the passing standard across different examination forms and to statistically adjust scores, as necessary, to compensate for differences in difficulty across examination forms.

VI. PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE AND DISCIPLINARY POLICY

Examination Irregularities

Any problems, suspected instances of cheating, alleged inappropriate examination administration, environmental testing conditions severe enough to cause disruption of the process, or other irregularities related to test administration should be addressed to the onsite proctor or to staff. All such matters will be reported, investigated, and subject to further action based upon policies and procedures adopted by the Certification Commission. Cheating or other violations of the Code of Ethics or matters that may constitute grounds for disciplinary action will be handled under the “Disciplinary Procedures” section adopted by the Certification Commission but other issues in the nature of examination irregularities are not subject to appeal.

Violating Testing Center Rules

If a candidate is caught violating testing rules, which are explained to all exam candidates, the candidate is permanently ineligible for any NAHAM certification. Testing center proctors are authorized to take immediate, appropriate measures against candidates who are caught violating testing rules.

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Misconduct at the Examination

It is improper for examination candidates to engage in any of the following activities:

Failure to observe any rules of conduct as outlined by the proctor or site coordinator

o To copy in writing or otherwise record or transmit to others any examination questions and/or answers or other aspects of the nature or content of the examination.

o To bring any unauthorized answering agent of any nature (e.g., books, notes) to the examination site.

o To offer or assist, or to solicit assistance from other candidates, examiners, or those responsible for the administration of the examination.

o To engage in any other conduct or inappropriate behavior which is injurious to the integrity of the examination or to any of its participants.

Dismissal

Any candidate who is observed engaging in any misconduct will be subject to dismissal from the examination, may be barred from future examinations for a period ranging from one year to permanent dismissal, and may be required to forfeit his/her current examination fee and /or period of eligibility. The candidate is entitled to appeal the dismissal determination.

VII. CERTIFICATION GOVERANCE, STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION

A. THE NAHAM CERTIFICATION COMMISSION

The NAHAM Certification Commission is an autonomous group independent of the NAHAM Board of Directors. Essential certification decisions made by the Certification Commission for the NAHAM Credential Program are made independently of the NAHAM Board, notwithstanding that the Chairperson of the Certification Commission serves as liaison to the Board and attends board meetings to contribute input regarding NAHAM’s Certification program.

B. PURPOSE

The Certification Commission shall develop and implement a comprehensive and valid professional certification program. It provides all the necessary components of an overall, voluntary certification program to include mechanisms to evaluate individuals’

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competence in the profession, which are objective, fair and based on the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the roles of NAHAM certificants. It continually assesses and develops a methodologyto ensure current relevance and reliability of the evaluation mechanisms used to assure individual competence and on-going competence.

The Certification Commission publishes all pertinent information relative to the certification program, its processes and requirements, and it supports the marketing efforts of both the certification program and NAHAM. The Certification Commission negotiates contractual agreements, as necessary and in consultation with the NAHAM Board, to ensure appropriateness/validity of the certification examinations and adequate management resources of the certification program (i.e., administrative staff, professional testing company, etc.).

C. COMPOSITION AND TERMS

The Commission requires a minimum of three and no maximum number of members, one of which must be a public member. The general guideline is that the total number of commission members not exceed 15 total unless the chairperson determines a need for more than fifteen members.

NAHAM will distribute a Call for Volunteers between June 1 and June 15 of any given year. Nominations are accepted between the distribution of the e-mail and a date in mid to late June, determined based on the e-mail distribution date.

The slate of applications is reviewed by the Commission Chair for approval by July 15. The committee chair notifies new members of their acceptance and includes them on all committee correspondence moving forward by July 30. NAHAM staff notifies those who were not accepted. NAHAM staff also updates the website to reflect the new committee members.

The term of service for regular members of the Certification Commission of NAHAM shall be two years, commencing on August 1st The conclusion of each two-year term shall be July 30th of the applicable year. The term for the chairperson of the commission is two years per term with a maximum of two terms. Terms of office for chairs conclude at the end of the annual national conference or by May 31 if the annual conference does not take place in May. These terms of service are effective as of September 25th, 2015.

Commission Member

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The Chair of the Certification Commission is voted upon by the Certification Commission at the same time as the general NAHAM election (February of open years) and shall serve a term of two years beginning in May of the calendar year, with a maximum of two terms.

The Certification Commission must include individuals from the certified population (both CHAM and CHAA), as well as voting representation from at least one consumer or public member. Each year, a call for volunteers is distributed to the NAHAM membership and is distributed to the NAHAM membership via e-mail.

Individuals have until mid to late June (based upon date of distribution) to submit a completed Certification Commission application. The Certification Commission will determine how many eligible commission positions are open, review applications, and vote on which individuals will be placed in those vacancies.

The public member is a non-industry insider who can advocate for the views of the population served by the certificants and the general public while also adding new perspectives to discussions.

D. SUB-COMMITTEES

Exam Review / Appeals Sub-committee

It is the responsibility of the exam review/ appeals sub-committee to review exam questions that have been brought forth by candidates for further review. The review process will involve a conference call between all members of the commission and a final decision of the results will be provided to the candidate in writing within four weeks of the request to review.

The commission will appoint ad-hoc special sub-committees as required.

E. COMMISSION RESPONSIBILITIES

Certification Commission Chair

The Certification Commission Chair shall preside at all meetings of the Certification Commission and see that orders and resolutions of the Commission are carried out, shall represent the Certification Commission and have primary responsibility for carrying out the functions of the Commission.

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Certification Commission

1. Maintain certification2. Attend and participate in all meetings with regard to discussion and decision-

making.3. Establish/administer policies and procedures to assure the effective

functioning of the certification program.4. Develop and administer valid and reliable certification examinations, through

a comprehensive test development process in consultation with the contracted testing company, to include setting of cut scores.

5. Determine overall eligibility requirements of candidates for certification in accordance with the goals NAHAM.

6. Develop and publish a comprehensive handbook and related materials to adequately convey all aspects of the certification program to candidates, certificants and the public

7. Establish fees for certification examinations and for all related certification processes/materials.

8. Establish requirements and administer the mechanism by which certificants maintain certification status (certification renewal process).

9. Establish and administer a grievance process for candidates and certificants.10. Establish and administer a code of ethics for certificants and a disciplinary

policy.11. Conduct an effective communication system to support the program.12. Establish and administer an appropriate process for revocation of

certifications, when necessary.13. Communicate all pertinent decisions, goals and strategies to the NAHAM

Board in a timely manner.14. Comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including nondiscrimination,

disabilities, and other issues which may affect fairness to candidates and certificants, or protection for consumers

F. CERTIFICATION COMMISSION VACANCY

If the chair vacates his/her position, a new chair will be elected by the Certification Commission to complete the remainder of the vacated position’s term.

If a member of the Certification Commission vacates his/her position, the chairperson will identify a new member to complete the remainder of the vacated position’s term and the remaining members will vote on this selection.

G. MEMBER REMOVAL

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A member of the Certification Commission may be removed for any action that is determined by the Certification Commission to be detrimental to the best interests of the NAHAM Credential Program. A member may also be removed for not fulfilling his/her commission responsibilities. Removal of any member will be by recommendation of the chairperson and approval by vote of the Certification Commission, provided the member was given notice and offered an opportunity to appeal the termination

H. MEETINGSThe Certification Commission shall determine the number of meetings per year. Meetings of the Certification Commission and its committees are open to the public except when activities or discussions pertain to test content or item development.

VIII. REVIEW AND MODIFICATION OF POLICIES

Review of the policies will be conducted annually. The Certification Commission reserves the right to make changes in its fees, policies, and procedures at any time and will make every effort to give advance notice when such changes are made. Changes to the policies must be approved by a vote of the Certification Commission either in-person, by mail, or by e-mail or other electronic voting system.

IX. VOTES/DECISIONS

Votes by Commission or subcommittees on recommendations to the Certification Commission may be adopted or amended upon a simple majority vote of the members of the commission or sub-committee with a quorum present in person, by email, or by telephone.

Last Amended: 9/25/15

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