SSH certification covering the design, facilitation, and management of healthcare simulation-based education.
Who it's for
Educators who design, facilitate, or evaluate simulation-based education in healthcare settings — SSH built CHSE for the specific, distinct skill set of simulation pedagogy, which is different from clinical expertise alone.
What's covered
- Simulation design and development
- Debriefing and facilitation — widely considered the most learning-critical phase of any simulation
- Simulation program management
- Professional practice and ethics
What to expect
Expect questions grounded in the INACSL Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice — scenario design principles, debriefing technique, and psychological-safety practices — rather than clinical content itself, since CHSE tests how you teach, not what you teach.
How to prepare
SSH publishes the official CHSE Handbook with eligibility and content detail; the Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice (freely available from INACSL) function as the de facto study syllabus, and many candidates prepare by attending simulation conferences and workshops rather than a single dedicated review course.
Certification details
- Certifying body: Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH).
- Eligibility: A minimum number of hours in a healthcare educator role involving simulation, plus completion of an application demonstrating relevant experience.
- Exam format: Computer-based multiple-choice exam administered at Prometric test centers.
- Content outline: Based on the Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice — simulation design, facilitation, debriefing, professional integrity, and program administration.
- Recertification: Every 5 years, via continuing education/professional development activities.
