Frequently Asked Questions

The Certification Handbook is the go-to resource for answers to all your certification questions.  Below are a few FAQs that may be addressed in further detail in the handbook.

Q. How and when will I be notified of my examination results?
A. The results of your examination will be mailed to you by PSI approximately 30 days following the close of the examination window.  You will receive a letter from ACHA, verifying next steps or your acceptance into the College. If your exam attempt is unsuccessful, you will be assigned the Re-examination workflow in Certemy. In order to sit for the exam again in the future, you will need to accept and complete the workflow, including payment of the fee.

PSI will not email nor provide results/scores over the phone.

Q. Do I have to become a Candidate before I apply to take the examination?
A. No.  Candicacy is for individuals who do not yet qualify to take the exam but want to keep appraised of the College’s activities throughout the year.  If you meet eligibility requirements to sit for the exam, you may apply to take the exam without becoming a Candidate first.  

Q. How do I submit my application?
A. Log in to your exisiting account or create an account.  Complete all the steps of the online application by April 1 in order to be eligible to sit for the exam in July and/or submit a portfolio for review. 

Q. How do I submit my portfolio?
A. Log in to your exisiting account or create an account.  You may simultaneously complete both the Exam Application workflow and the ACHA Certification workflow (a.k.a. portfolio submission) in Certemy.  You will upload portfolios components to the portal at anytime during the year, however, they will be reviewed upon completion of all steps.  The Review Committee will review portfolios monthly, between April 1 and October 1.  You will receive an email notification when and if your portfolio is approved.

Q. Do I have to submit my application and portfolio in order to sit for the exam?
A. As of 2021, you can apply for the examination by April 1 and, if approved, sit for the exam in the upcoming exam window (July 1-31).  If you pass the exam, you will need to submit your portfolio, have it reviewed and approved before you are accepted into the College as “certified” (an ACHA Certificate Holder).

Q. Are there annual dues associated with ACHA?
A. Yes, the annual dues are:

  • Board Certified (ACHA) – $550 
  • Board Certified Fellow (FACHA) – $650
  • Candidates – $25. 

There are no annual dues for those who are retired and approved as Emeritus Status.

Q. What are the fees for applying for ACHA Board Certification?
A. A fee of $400 must be submitted with your application and will be applied as follows: 

  • Application fee – $150 of the $400 is applied to the Application Fee, which is non-refundable.
  • Examination fee – $250 of the $400 is applied to the Examination Fee*.

*If an application is not deemed complete and cannot be accepted, or is withdrawn, the $250 Examination Fee will be refunded.

Q. Is there a deadline for applying to re-exam?
A. Yes.  If you did not pass the examination in a previous attempt, accept the Re-Examination workflow you have been assigned in Certemy and complete it by May 1.

Q. Is there a deadline for applying to ACHA?
A. You may become a Candidate at any time during the year. However, if you meet the College’s eligibility requirements to sit for the exam, your application must be submitted online no later than April 1 in order to take the exam during the annual, July testing window.

Q. Who do I need to contact to schedule an Examination appointment to take the exam?
A. If approved, you will receive email notification of your eligibility from ACHA with the scheduling instructions. ACHA’s contracts with the testing company PSI. PSI offers over 120 locations throughout the United States and Canada, to find an assessment center in your area, visit the PSI website at https://www​.psionline.com/​.

Q. How long will the Examination take?
A. Candidates are allotted 2.5 hours to take the examination.

Q. I am an Architect who provides healthcare planning (or other “non-traditional”) services, and the project facts for my portfolio as requested in the Application and Checklist (i.e. construction cost, construction start/completion dates, etc.) do not relate to my personal role an involvement on a project-what should I do?
A. Architects providing “non-traditional” consulting services (i.e. Healthcare Planning, Programming, Facilities Based Services, Construction Management, Agency Review etc.) should modify the portfolio’s pertinent project facts to best demonstrate their respective roles in their areas of specialty. Non-traditional practitioners are encouraged to apply.

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