Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE)

What Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE) does

The Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE) is a Chicago-based professional membership organization and a Professional Membership Group of the American Hospital Association, serving healthcare environmental services (EVS) professionals across the United States. Founded in 1987, AHE provides a structured curriculum of certifications (CHESP for EVS professionals, CHEST for technicians, CSCT for surgical cleaning, CNACC for non-acute care, plus advanced CMIP, CMPS, and CMEL Certificates of Mastery), continuing education credits, evidence-based publications (notably the Practice Guidance for Health Care Environmental Cleaning, 3rd Edition), and tools including an EVS Staffing Calculator and the Project Firstline EVS Competency Resource Catalog. The organization counts over 2,100 facility-based professional members, runs regional chapters, hosts an annual Exchange Summit that draws 500+ attendees, and operates targeted development programs such as the Emerging Leaders Action Team for professionals under 45 and the Skill.Set.Go. subscription training platform for technicians.

AHE's core technology platform is web-based and consists of a member portal (connect.ahe.org), an LMS for online courses and on-demand webinars (learning.aha.org), e-commerce for publications and apparel, and a job board (CareerLink). Membership distribution is enabled through digital channels (LinkedIn, Facebook, X, YouTube, email newsletters), in-person events, the Preferred Education Provider partner network, and PSI testing centers plus live-remote proctoring for certification exams. Its product ecosystem is anchored by CHESP as the premier credential, with CHEST, CSCT, and CNACC as train-the-trainer programs feeding technician-level certification at healthcare facilities.

Revenue is generated through five streams: recurring membership dues, conference and event registration, certification and extended-review program fees (priced $399-$799 per program), online education subscriptions, and corporate sponsorship/advertising via Pinnacle Sponsors, Corporate Champions (Diversey/Solenis, Ecolab, Rubbermaid, Tork/Essity, Cintas, Clorox Healthcare, Contec), and HFM Magazine advertising. A 6-person staff operates the organization under the AHA umbrella, with day-to-day execution supported by association management firm SmithBucklin (contact: Kevin McDonnell) and led by Executive Director Elizabeth "Lizzie" Ortolano.

Name

Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE)

Legal name

Association for the Healthcare Environment

Website

https://ahe.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE) is a Chicago-based professional membership organization of the American Hospital Association that provides certifications, training, publications, and an annual Exchange Summit to over 2,100 healthcare environmental services professionals in the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Healthcare Association Services

NAICS

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental, Health & Safety / Sustainability (EHS, Environmental Compliance CE) (EDAAALAO)

akta.pro secondary industry

EHS Training, Competency & Culture Programs (BPAHAJAL)

Keywords

• Healthcare environmental services
• Professional certification programs
• Infection prevention training
• EVS management education
• Healthcare facility cleaning

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership providing access to certifications, education, resources, and networking
2. Conference Registration: AHE Exchange Summit and other events featuring education sessions, networking, and exhibitor opportunities. Registration fees less 20% processing fee refundable with 5 business days notice.
3. Certification Programs: CHESP certification and extended review programs, CHEST, CSCT, CNACC train-the-trainer programs
4. Online Education: On-demand courses and webinars available to members, with continuing education credits (CECs)
5. Corporate Champion Program & Sponsorship: Sponsorship and advertising opportunities including Pinnacle Sponsors, Corporate Champions, event sponsorships, website advertising, and HFM Magazine advertising

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

AHE is a professional membership association that sells healthcare environmental services (EVS) certifications (CHESP, CHEST, CSCT, CNACC, CMIP, CMPS, CMEL), train-the-trainer programs, subscription-based technician training (Skill.Set.Go.), online courses and webinars, an annual Exchange Summit, and evidence-based publications and tools. Its offerings are sold to healthcare EVS professionals and the facilities that employ them.

Product overview

AHE is a professional membership organization of the American Hospital Association, not a technology product company. Its offerings consist of professional certifications (CHESP, T-CHEST, CSCT, CNACC, CMIP, CMPS, CMEL), training subscription services (Skill.Set.Go.™), educational publications (Practice Guidance eBook), online education content (courses, webinars), annual conferences (AHE Exchange), and tools (EVS Staffing Calculator, Project Firstline Resource Catalog). The core value proposition is professional development and certification for healthcare environmental services professionals, with certifications forming the central product ecosystem. AHE Academy bundles multiple certification programs together for comprehensive professional development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AHE Exchange: Annual Education and Solution Summit for healthcare environmental services leaders
• AHE Academy
• CHESP
• CHEST
• CSCT
• CNACC
• CMIP
• CMPS
• CMEL
• Skill.Set.Go.
• Practice Guidance

Products and services

• CHESP (Certified Health Care Environmental Services Professional) Premier professional credential based on sound assessment that provides distinction among healthcare environmental services professionals; covers regulatory compliance, design and construction, environmental sanitation operations, waste management operations, textile management operations, finance, and administration. Holders earn nearly 25% more annually than non-credentialed peers.
• T-CHEST (Certified Health Care Environmental Services Technician Train-the-Trainer) Train-the-trainer program that sets national standards specifically for environmental services technicians working in health care and prepares participants to share CHEST concepts with their staff. Achieves a 99% satisfaction rate.
• T-CSCT (Certified Surgical Cleaning Technician Train-the-Trainer) Uses a train-the-trainer model to prepare trainers to conduct certification training for surgical cleaning technicians, ensuring they are knowledgeable, skilled and fully prepared for their role in the operating room.
• T-CNACC (Certificate in Non-acute Care Cleaning Train-the-Trainer) Prepares trainers to conduct certification training for cleaning in the health care environment outside of acute care settings, including outpatient, long-term care and behavioral health facilities.
• CMIP (Certificate of Mastery in Infection Prevention) Cultivates and validates the knowledge required to coordinate and align efforts across the care team to implement infection prevention strategies and improve outcomes.
• CMPS (Certificate of Mastery in Product Selection) Empowers EVS leaders to set a new standard of excellence in product selection and change management, transitioning from reactive purchasing to a strategic approach. Includes 20 CECs.
• CMEL (Certificate of Mastery in Effective Leadership) Designed to help EVS professionals become more effective leaders and have a bigger impact on their organization. Multi-phase program including online coursework and live sessions.
• Skill.Set.Go. Subscription Subscription service providing skills-driven training for EVS technicians with engagement and retention focus, delivering ongoing content to upskill entire EVS teams.
• Practice Guidance for Health Care Environmental Cleaning, 3rd Edition Evidence-based guidance providing best practices, tools and resources to achieve safe environments of care.
• AHE Exchange Conference Annual Education and Solution Summit built by and designed for health care environmental services leaders to learn, network and find solutions to EVS challenges. Attracts 500+ healthcare professionals.
• AHE Academy Bundle offering three unique certification programs (CMPS, CMEL and CMIP) offering programs from strategic leadership to help EVS professionals become indispensable assets at the decision table.
• AHE Membership Annual membership providing access to certifications, continuing education credits, member resources, networking, member directory, mentor match, and chapter activities for over 2,100 facility-based healthcare EVS professionals.

Quantifiable outcome

• Environmental services managers earn nearly 25% more annually with CHESP certification than without it
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Diversey (A Solenis Company)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerDiversey is an AHE Corporate Champion providing healthcare cleaning and infection prevention solutions. Their Oxivir product line powered by Accelerated Hydrogen Peroxide is featured in AHE resources. Diversey supports exclusive education and networking opportunities for the healthcare EVS field.
• EcolabcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEcolab is a Pinnacle Sponsor and Corporate Champion providing water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions. Their Disinfectant 1 Wipe product is highlighted for environmental hygiene programs, helping reduce healthcare-associated infections.
• Rubbermaid Commercial ProductscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRubbermaid Commercial Products is a Corporate Champion offering innovative cleaning solutions including HYGEN Microfiber products proven to remove 99.7% or more of tested viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
• Tork (Essity)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerTork, an Essity brand, is a Corporate Champion providing wellness-focused hygiene solutions. Their Tork Interactive Clean Hospital Training tool is based on AHE's Practice Guidance for Health Care Environmental Cleaning.
• CintascoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCintas is a Pinnacle Sponsor and Corporate Champion providing facility services, uniforms, and hygiene products for healthcare environments.
• Clorox HealthcarecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerClorox Healthcare is a Pinnacle Sponsor and Corporate Champion providing healthcare disinfection solutions and supporting AHE education through Protecting with Purpose initiative.
• ConteccoreGTM or Marketing PartnerContec is a Pinnacle Sponsor and Corporate Champion providing professional cleaning and disinfection products for healthcare settings.
• American Hospital Association (AHA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAHE is a Professional Membership Group of the American Hospital Association. This affiliation provides AHE with organizational credibility, access to AHA resources, and integration with broader healthcare initiatives.
• PSIcoreTechnology or IntegrationPSI provides testing center locations for CHESP certification exams. The American Hospital Association Certification Center also offers live-remote proctored exam options for CHESP candidates.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA): Physician-led professional society focused on healthcare epidemiology and infection prevention. Overlaps with AHE on the healthcare epidemiology/content side and targets a related but more clinical audience through guidelines and conferences.
• American Nurses Association (ANA): Larger healthcare professional membership organization with similar association structure, certification, CE/CPE, and conference model. Indirect adjacency since ANA covers the broader nursing workforce that AHE-trained EVS teams support.
• Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA, formerly IAHCSMM): Certification and membership body for sterile processing and central service technicians. Closely adjacent to AHE's EVS technician training and shares the healthcare support services certification model with CHEST and CSCT.
• ISSA (The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association): Larger commercial cleaning industry association offering cleaning industry certifications, training, and events. Comparable education and credentialing business model but serves the broader commercial cleaning market, not specifically healthcare EVS.

Direct peers

• Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC): The primary professional association for infection preventionists, with adjacent certifications, annual conference, and shared healthcare audience with AHE. Direct overlap on infection prevention training, Practice Guidance content, and corporate champion ecosystem.
• Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN): Healthcare nursing association whose surgical cleaning and OR environment standards overlap with AHE's CSCT surgical cleaning certification. Comparable professional membership and certification model serving perioperative healthcare teams.
• American Society for Health Care Engineering (ASHE): Sister Professional Membership Group of the American Hospital Association focused on healthcare facilities management and engineering. ASHE overlaps with AHE on the same parent, similar association model, and healthcare operations audience, making it the closest comparable peer.

Others

• Ecolab Healthcare: AHE Pinnacle Sponsor and Corporate Champion that provides healthcare disinfection products and uses AHE's Practice Guidance. Comparable through its deep integration with healthcare EVS training content and ability to influence EVS purchasing decisions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AHEtweets
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/AHEofAHA
• Facebookfacebook.com/AssociationfortheHealthcareEnvironment
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/association-for-the-healthcare-environment-ahe

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE)