Ace Your CHS Test: Hospitality Supervisor Prep
The CHS (Certified Hospitality Supervisor) certification is a prestigious credential for individuals looking to enhance their leadership roles in the hospitality industry. Whether you’re managing a hotel, restaurant, or any service-oriented business, earning the CHS certification shows employers and peers that you are committed to excellence and have the expertise needed to lead a team successfully. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the CHS test, the role of a hospitality supervisor, key duties, and how to prepare for this valuable certification.
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Key Takeaways
The CHS (Certified Hospitality Supervisor) certification is a valuable credential for professionals looking to advance in the hospitality industry.
A hospitality supervisor oversees staff, ensures customer satisfaction, and manages daily operations in hotels, restaurants, and other service-oriented establishments.
Hospitality supervisor duties include team leadership, guest relations, operational oversight, and maintaining safety and health regulations.
The CHS certification is globally recognized and demonstrates your expertise and leadership in the hospitality industry, providing opportunities for career advancement.
Hospitality supervisor training equips candidates with leadership, customer service, and operational management skills necessary to excel in a supervisory role.
| What is CHS certification? | The Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS) is a professional credential from AHLEI that validates supervisory skills in the hospitality industry. |
| What does CHS stand for in hospitality? | CHS stands for Certified Hospitality Supervisor, a globally recognized designation for professionals who supervise teams in hotels and hospitality settings. |
| Who offers the CHS credential? | The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) administers the CHS certification program worldwide. |
| What is the CHS designation worth? | The CHS designation demonstrates industry-recognized supervisory expertise and can lead to career advancement and higher earning potential. |
| How many questions are on the CHS exam? | The CHS exam contains 100 multiple-choice questions covering nine key supervisory competency areas. |
| How long is the CHS test? | Candidates have 2 hours to complete all 100 questions on the CHS certification exam. |
| What topics does the CHS exam cover? | The exam covers leadership, communication, time management, training, staffing, motivation, team building, and performance improvement. |
| Is the CHS exam proctored? | Yes, the CHS exam requires a qualified proctor such as a CHA, hospitality educator, or immediate supervisor. |
| How much does CHS certification cost? | The CHS exam with Supervisory Skill Builders course costs $272, while the exam-only option is approximately $104.50 through AHLEI. |
| What are CHS eligibility requirements? | Candidates must supervise two or more people with at least 20% supervisory duties including scheduling, training, and performance reviews. |
| How do I apply for the CHS exam? | Apply online through AHLEI's website by submitting your application, documentation, and payment for review and approval. |
| How long do I have to take the CHS exam after approval? | Once approved, candidates have one year from the application approval date to complete the CHS certification exam. |
| What is the CHS passing score? | A score of 70% or higher is required to pass the CHS certification exam and earn the credential. |
| How many times can you retake the CHS exam? | Candidates are allowed 2 retake purchases within one year from the original application approval date. |
| Does the CHS certification expire? | The CHS certification requires renewal every five years through continuing education or re-examination. |
| How soon do you get CHS exam results? | CHS exam results are typically available shortly after completing the proctored online examination. |
| What is Supervisory Skill Builders? | Supervisory Skill Builders is AHLEI's nine-module online course that prepares candidates for the CHS exam and eliminates time-in-position requirements. |
| How should I study for the CHS exam? | Complete the Supervisory Skill Builders series, review leadership concepts, and practice with sample questions covering all nine competency areas. |
| Is the CHS exam difficult? | The CHS exam is moderately challenging but achievable with proper preparation using AHLEI's recommended study materials. |
| What is the average CHS certified supervisor salary? | Certified hospitality supervisors earn between $45,000 and $72,000 annually, with the average around $57,500 in the United States. |
CHS (Certified Hospitality Supervisor) Test: What to Know
The CHS (Certified Hospitality Supervisor) test is a professional examination designed to assess your skills and knowledge as a hospitality supervisor. Administered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI), this certification is recognized worldwide and is intended for individuals currently working or aiming to work in supervisory roles within the hospitality industry.
Key areas covered in the CHS test include:
Leadership and Team Management: Effective leadership is essential in hospitality management. The CHS test evaluates your ability to motivate, guide, and manage teams.
Customer Service Excellence: Since hospitality is customer-centric, the test will assess your knowledge of customer service strategies that promote guest satisfaction and loyalty.
Operational Knowledge: Supervisors are responsible for overseeing daily operations. You’ll need to demonstrate your understanding of areas such as housekeeping, food and beverage service, and guest relations.
Problem Solving and Decision Making: Hospitality supervisors frequently deal with challenges such as guest complaints or operational issues. The CHS test will measure your ability to make sound decisions under pressure.
What is a Hospitality Supervisor?
A hospitality supervisor plays a key role in ensuring smooth operations in hotels, restaurants, resorts, and other service-oriented establishments. Hospitality supervisors manage frontline staff, address customer concerns, and help maintain operational efficiency.
Key responsibilities of a hospitality supervisor include:
Overseeing Staff: Supervisors are responsible for managing and coordinating the work of their team. This can include housekeepers, front desk staff, waitstaff, or event coordinators.
Ensuring Customer Satisfaction: In the hospitality industry, the customer experience is paramount. Supervisors handle guest feedback, resolve issues, and ensure that customer expectations are met or exceeded.
Monitoring Operations: Whether it’s ensuring rooms are cleaned on time, overseeing restaurant service, or coordinating an event, a hospitality supervisor ensures operations run smoothly.
Training and Development: A good supervisor not only manages their team but also helps train and develop their skills. Supervisors are often involved in onboarding new employees and ensuring they adhere to company standards.
Budget and Inventory Control: Supervisors are frequently involved in managing budgets, ensuring the efficient use of resources, and keeping track of inventory, especially in roles related to food and beverage or housekeeping services.
Hospitality Supervisor Duties
Hospitality supervisors perform a wide range of duties designed to ensure a seamless guest experience. While these duties can vary depending on the specific establishment, the following are common across many supervisory roles:
Team Leadership: Supervisors act as the go-to person for frontline staff, providing guidance, managing shift schedules, and ensuring team members meet their responsibilities.
Guest Relations: From check-in to check-out, hospitality supervisors are on the front lines, ensuring that guests have an exceptional experience. This includes addressing complaints, managing special requests, and providing solutions to problems as they arise.
Operational Oversight: Whether it’s a busy restaurant or a fully booked hotel, supervisors are responsible for overseeing operations, making sure that service standards are met, and coordinating between different departments like housekeeping, food services, and maintenance.
Compliance with Safety and Health Regulations: Hospitality supervisors ensure that the establishment complies with all relevant safety, health, and environmental regulations, making sure that both staff and guests are in a safe environment.
Reporting and Administration: Supervisors are often tasked with compiling reports, such as sales reports, staff performance, and inventory records, and communicating this information to higher management.
Hospitality Supervisor Certification
The CHS certification is one of the most recognized credentials for supervisors in the hospitality industry. Offered by AHLEI, this certification signifies that the holder has mastered the skills needed to lead teams, deliver outstanding customer service, and maintain operational efficiency.
Benefits of earning the CHS certification include:
Career Advancement: Certified hospitality supervisors are in high demand. Earning your CHS certification can lead to promotions and more competitive salaries.
Professional Recognition: This certification shows that you have achieved a high level of competence in the industry and are committed to ongoing professional development.
Global Recognition: The CHS certification is respected internationally, providing you with opportunities to work in various countries and industries.
Eligibility Requirements:
To be eligible for the CHS certification, you typically need to have work experience in a supervisory role in the hospitality industry. Some programs may also require completion of hospitality management courses or other relevant training.
Hospitality Supervisor Training
To successfully pass the CHS test and become a certified hospitality supervisor, adequate preparation and training are crucial. Hospitality supervisor training programs are designed to equip candidates with the skills and knowledge needed to manage teams, handle operations, and ensure top-tier customer service.
Key components of hospitality supervisor training include:
Leadership and Management Skills: Training programs focus on developing leadership abilities, including how to motivate staff, resolve conflicts, and manage team dynamics.
Customer Service Best Practices: The foundation of the hospitality industry is customer service. Training programs help you understand how to exceed guest expectations, handle complaints, and create positive guest experiences.
Operational Training: Hospitality supervisors need to understand the operational aspects of their establishment. This includes front desk management, housekeeping procedures, and food and beverage service.
Financial and Administrative Training: Understanding budgets, managing resources, and maintaining reports are also critical aspects of supervisor training programs.
Legal and Compliance: A comprehensive understanding of safety regulations, labor laws, and customer privacy policies is essential for any hospitality supervisor.
Conclusion
Earning the CHS certification is an excellent way to advance your career in the hospitality industry. As a certified hospitality supervisor, you’ll have the skills, knowledge, and recognition needed to take on leadership roles and ensure that both your team and your guests have a positive experience. By preparing thoroughly for the CHS test and pursuing relevant training, you can position yourself for success in this dynamic and rewarding field.
CHS Questions and Answers
Yes, the CHS certification is recognized worldwide as the hospitality industry's highest acknowledgment of professionalism for supervisors. AHLEI credentials are accepted by hotels and hospitality businesses in over 100 countries, making CHS valuable for international career opportunities.
No, you must be currently employed in a qualifying supervisory position to take the CHS exam. However, completing the Supervisory Skill Builders program eliminates the 90-day time-in-position requirement, allowing newer supervisors to qualify sooner.
CHS certification demonstrates your commitment to professional growth and validates your supervisory expertise to employers. Certified supervisors often receive priority for promotions, higher salaries, and management positions. The credential also opens doors to career advancement across the global hospitality industry.
Yes, American Hotel & Lodging Association members receive a 15% discount on AHLEI training and certification programs including the CHS exam. Members simply need to create an AHLEI account using their AHLA member email address to receive the automatic discount at checkout.
If you fail the CHS exam, you can purchase up to two retakes within one year from your original application approval date. Each retake requires an additional fee. You should review the areas where you struggled and utilize the Supervisory Skill Builders materials before attempting again.
Qualified proctors for the CHS exam include a CHA or CHS certificate holder, hospitality educator, AHLA member association executive, your immediate supervisor, or a member of the clergy. Your designated proctor cannot be a relative to ensure exam integrity.
CHS is specifically designed for front-line supervisors, while CHM (Certified Hospitality Manager) targets department managers and CHA (Certified Hotel Administrator) is for executive-level professionals. CHS serves as an excellent foundation credential before pursuing higher-level certifications.
Yes, a degree from an accredited academic institution can eliminate the time-in-position requirement for CHS certification. Additionally, holding a current AHLEI supervisor, management, department head, or executive certification also waives the time requirement.
CHS certification is not legally required to work as a hotel supervisor, but it significantly enhances your credibility and competitiveness. Many major hotel brands prefer or require AHLEI certifications for supervisory positions, and it can differentiate you from other candidates.
CHS certification requires renewal every five years through continuing education or re-examination. Some older certifications were issued without expiration dates, but current standards require ongoing professional development to maintain the credential and ensure skills remain current.