For General Inquiries
Please contact us by calling our Customer Relations Team at (800) 335-5535.
Acquiring new certificate
As of April 1, 2018, virtual certificates have replaced the hard copy certificates for newly credentialed individuals. Official virtual certificates for all certifications, including a congratulatory letter and employer notification, are immediately available to print and/or save from your AHIMA CEU Center upon the granting of a certification. The certificate valid through date is automatically updated with the successful completion of each recertification cycle.
To purchase a frame or hard copy certificate for any purpose (new certification, name change, reprints of existing certifications, etc.), these can now be purchased directly through AHIMA’s certificate partner. Note: Please have your virtual certificate details available when purchasing your hard copy certificate to ensure the certificate data you enter is correct.
Applying for an extension
Requests for an extension must be received no later than 14 business days from your scheduled exam date or eligibility end date. Please see page 11 of the candidate guide for more information on the Extension Policy.
Please fill out the Eligibility Extension Request Form to apply for an extension
- Candidates may request one 45 day extension for $75
- Candidates may then request a second and final extension for $150 (valid for 30 additional days)
Mailing Addresses for Applications, Fees, or Transcripts
Please mail exam applications and fees to:
AHIMA: Exam Application
Dept. 77-2735
Chicago, IL 60678-2735
Attn: Certification Examinations
Submitting Official Transcripts
Electronically:
If this option is available through your school, please contact your school for vendor information. Transcripts must be received directly from the vendor i.e. national student clearinghouse, parchment, etc., and sent electronically to: certificationtranscripts@ahima.org
- Official transcripts must contain the degree along with the conferred/awarded graduation date.
- Official transcripts sent electronically from the candidate/registrar are considered unofficial and will not be processed.
OR
Mail: Candidates submitting official transcripts from a CAHIIM-accredited program, please mail official transcripts (unopened/sealed in a school envelope) separately to:
AHIMA
Attn: Certification Transcripts
233 N. Michigan Ave., 21st Fl.
Chicago, IL 60601
- Official transcripts must contain the degree along with the conferred/awarded graduation date.
- Transcripts sent via USPS mail in an opened official school envelope is considered unofficial and will not be processed.
Official Transcript Estimated Processing Time Frame
- Official transcripts estimated processing time frame can take up to 4 weeks.
- Official transcripts sent via Fed Ex/UPS with overnight shipping are processed within 48 business hours from the date it is received.
Credential Verification Request-- For Employers and Recruiters Only
To request verification of an individual's certification status, please visit the credential verification portal or submit the individual's full name, AHIMA ID number (if possible), on your company's letterhead or company E-mail.
Please include your fax and / or e-mail information specifying which of these you would like to be used to expedite your request.
Verifications are processed within 2-3 business days. Fax this correspondence to 312-233-1500. Attn: Credential Verification, or email your request to (Employers and Recruiters Only) credential_verification@ahima.org
Appeals to CCHIIM by credentialed professionals or candidates are strictly limited to permanent revocation due to their failure to meet CCHIIM recertification requirements. Please submit your appeals via the Recertification Appeal Form. If you are in grace period or inactive status, and have not been permanently revoked, please refer to the Recertification Guide.
Code of Ethics Violations / Professional Misconduct
The AHIMA Code of Ethics applies to AHIMA members and credentialed professionals who are not members. If you believe an AHIMA member or credentialed professional has violated the Code of Ethics, you may file a complaint with AHIMA.
Specifically, potential ethics violations regarding misconduct that involves currently certified individuals (i.e. certificants) must be submitted via an Ethics Complaint Form, along with supporting documentation, to CCHIIM or mailed to the address below. The CCHIIM Review Panel hears potential ethics violations regarding misconduct, pursuant to the AHIMA Code of Ethics and the CCHIIM Disciplinary and Appeal Policy. For additional information please see the CCHIIM Disciplinary and Appeal Policy Flowchart.
AHIMA
CCHIIM- Certification Department
233 N. Michigan Ave, 21st Floor
Chicago, IL 60601
CCHIIM@ahima.org
Potential ethics violations regarding misconduct that involves a current AHIMA member who is not a credential holder (or certificant) or is both a current member and credential holder (or certificant) must be submitted via an Ethics Complaint Form, along with supporting documentation, to the Professional Ethics Committee or mailed to the address below. A separate AHIMA Professional Ethics Committee Policy and Procedure is used for those types of potential violations.
AHIMA
Profession Governance - Professional Ethics Committee
233 N Michigan Ave, 21st floor
Chicago, IL 60601
profession.governance@ahima.org
If you believe an AHIMA credentialed professional who is also an AHIMA member has violated the Code of Ethics, you may file a complaint with either AHIMA Profession Governance or CCHIIM. A completed Ethics Complaint Form must be submitted along with supporting documentation to the AHIMA Professional Ethics Committee or CCHIIM.
COMPLAINTS - Customer-Service
All other inquiries, questions, and concerns regarding AHIMA credentials or their respective certification examinations are regarded as customer-service complaints and are managed accordingly through the AHIMA Certification Department complaint policy and procedures.
A certificant or candidate may submit a certification-specific customer-service complaint online, or by calling (800) 335-5535.
Your customer-service complaint will be logged and acknowledged within two (2) business days.
Exam Refund & Cancellation Policy
Exam Refund Policy
Candidates can request a refund for their exam application up to fourteen (14) business days prior to their scheduled test date or eligibility end date.
Requests can be submitted by creating a customer support request here, with the following information:
- Candidate’s name
- AHIMA ID# (optional)
- Exam type
There is a $75 processing fee for all refund requests. The refunded will be credited in the same manner of the original payment. If the candidate purchased the exam with a credit card the refund will be credited to that same credit card. Please allow 2 to 4 weeks for reimbursement (2 to 3 months if paid by check).
All appointments must be canceled through Pearson Vue prior to the request for a refund (please see the exam cancellation policy below).
Exam Cancellation Policy
AHIMA's policies about changing a testing appointment are as follows:
- Candidates may cancel and reschedule the examination up to 15 business days prior to the scheduled examination date at no charge.
- Any candidate who cancels or reschedules his or her appointment between 14 days and 24 hours prior to the exam date will be charged a penalty of $30 by Pearson Vue. Rescheduling and payment must be completed using a valid credit card via www.PearsonVue.com/ahima or by calling the Pearson Vue Call Center at (888) 524-4622.
- Candidates may not reschedule the examination less than 24 hours prior to the examination appointment.
- Candidates who do not arrive or who arrive late to their scheduled exam appointment time will be considered no-shows and will forfeit their application fee.
- Candidates failing to appear for the scheduled appointment or who are over thirty (30) minutes late will not be allowed to test. A new application and the full application fee must be submitted in order to test.
Deadline
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Rescheduling Fee
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Up to 15 days before exam date
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No charge
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Between 14 days 24 hours prior to exam date
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$30
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No-shows
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Forfeit application fee
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