HPCC Strengthens Commitment to DEIB Across Credentialing Programs

In 2025, the Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center (HPCC) has continued its implementation of strategic initiatives that advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) across its credentialing programs. From in-depth exam item reviews to national outreach and inclusive resource development, HPCC remains committed to ensuring fairness and inclusivity in all certification processes. The following strategic initiatives reflect the progress HPCC has made and showcase the future direction of its DEIB efforts.

HPCC DEIB Task Force Officially Transitioned to a Committee
Established initially in 2023, the HPCC DEIB Task Force has now fully transitioned into the DEIB Committee. The purpose of the committee is to assist and advise the HPCC Board in identifying internal and external barriers to achieving certification and providing opportunities to alleviate disparities and remove systematic biases.

Differential Item Functioning (DIF) Analysis Completed for the CHPN® Certification Exam
In June 2023, a Differential Item Functioning (DIF) analysis was initiated for the CHPN® certification exam to identify potential bias in exam questions. An item was identified as having DIF if candidates of different demographic groups (race, gender, etc.) who had the same overall test performance differed in their probability of answering a specific exam item correctly. In 2023 and 2024, questions identified as having DIF, either positive or negative, were removed from current exams for further analysis and evaluation. The DEIB Committee and other stakeholder groups then reviewed the identified questions and returned them to the CHPN® Exam Development Committee with recommendations for improvements or recommendations for future viability. The CHPN® Exam Committee further evaluated each exam item and considered these recommendations to enhance the CHPN® examination forms. As a result, all exam items identified in the DIF analysis have now been formally reviewed and addressed by the CHPN® Exam Development Committee.

This work is part of HPCC’s broader goal to strengthen the inclusivity of its credentialing programs. As HPCC explores the expansion of DIF analyses across additional certification exams, the organization remains rooted in its mission.

“Through our efforts in these critical areas, HPCC remains steadfast in our commitment to be the premier national credentialing organization that advances expert care in serious illness,” said Chad Reilly, MBA, CAE, HPCC Senior Vice President of Credentialing and Health Policy.

HPCC will document the completion of the DIF analyses and associated improvements in its upcoming renewal application for accreditation through the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC).

HPCC Continues to Distribute New DEIB Style Guide
Launched in July 2024, the HPCC-HPNA DEIB Style Guide answers common questions and provides guidance on sensitive topics that may arise when creating or editing exam items and content. The guide is now regularly used by Exam Development Committee members, test developers, and psychometricians during HPCC’s item writing and development processes. HPCC welcomes credentialing organizations, professional associations, and other interested stakeholders to utilize the document and incorporate into their operations.

HPCC Advances DEIB Through National Engagement and Education
This summer, HPCC is strengthening its commitment to DEIB by exhibiting at two national conferences. HPCC will attend the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) Annual Conference in Dallas, TX, from July 16–18, 2025. Shortly after, the team will return to Dallas for the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) Conference, held August 5–10, 2025.

Additionally, HPCC advanced its DEIB efforts on a national stage by presenting at the 2024 Institute for Credentialing Excellence (I.C.E.) Conference. Senior Vice President Chad Reilly, MBA, CAE, and former Director of Credentialing Annette Parry Bush, MBA, BSN, RN, OCN®, ICE-CCP, presented their educational session, Data-Enlightened Equity: Navigating DEI Across the Assessment Lifecycle in partnership with HPCC’s certification provider partner, PSI.

HPCC Looks Forward to the Future
While progress has been made, HPCC recognizes that this work is ongoing and will require tremendous focus and collaboration. HPCC is proud to continue improving the quality of its development process, item writing efforts, and examination content delivery. These efforts are essential to ensuring fairness, relevance, and excellence across all certification programs. “HPCC appreciates the unwavering support of its vendors, volunteers, candidates, and certificants in helping to disseminate the HPCC Style Guide and complete a comprehensive evaluation of our CHPN® examination over the past six months,” said Alicia Murray, DNP, MSN, RN, CHPN®. Completing these initiatives will take time, but HPCC is confident that the outcomes will help move the entire organization forward into a more inclusive, culturally aware future.