Certifications & Careers

A beta exam is a new version of a certification exam consisting of new questions that have not yet undergone psychometric analysis for validity and reliability. The purpose of beta testing is to evaluate new exam questions by having them answered by actual credential candidates.

A new exam goes through the beta process before the exam is launched for the first time. This is one of the last steps during an exam development process. Data gathered and analyzed during the beta period is used to select the best exam questions, and to eliminate questions that are vague, too difficult, or not useful in evaluating a candidate’s HIM knowledge.

During the beta period, you will not receive immediate results upon completion of your exam. There is a waiting period (typically up to 10 weeks from the start of the beta period) after which results are provided to test takers.

The exam eligibility period is 120 calendar days from the application approval date. The exam must be scheduled and taken within those 120 calendar days.

If a candidate applies for an exam and is deemed eligible but does not schedule a date to take the exam within the 120 calendar days, the exam application eligibility expires, and the candidate will need to reapply and pay all applicable fees.

You must apply for an extension 14 days prior to your scheduled exam date or 14 days prior to your eligibility end date.

You can apply for extensions in 30-day increments for up to 90 days. The cost for each 30-day increment is $50.

Effective July 13^th, 2020, the retesting waiting period for all AHIMA certifications exams is 90 days.

Each certification has a Content Outline (CO) that includes includes the tasks and knowledge that candidates will be tested on related to that certification. This information provides guidance for candidates preparing to take the exam. The CO also details the number of questions contained in each Domain. Neither CCHIIM nor AHIMA certification staff requires or endorses training, preparation, or resources for certification exam participation. Keep in mind, no two candidates have the same knowledge base – relevant experience and educational backgrounds vary

Visit the Apply page for instructions on how to apply for a certification exam.

Additional information on applying for an exam:

• Exam purchases must be completed online.
• If you are registering for an RHIT® or RHIA® exam, you must submit your official transcripts for review before or after you register for an exam; preferably before you register. These types of exams will not be approved until official transcripts are received and approved.
• After the application is received and processed, candidates should receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) letter via email within five business days from Pearson VUE with instructions on how to schedule an exam date.
• Candidates who have taken and failed an examination must wait a minimum of 90 days before a new application is approved.

Visit the Updates & Announcements page for the latest certification news. We recommend visiting this dedicated web page frequently as information can change daily.

To request a duplicate copy of your exam score report, contact Pearson VUE at (888) 524-4622.

Effective April 1, 2018, virtual certificates have replaced hard copy certificates for newly credentialed individuals. Official virtual documents for all certifications, including a congratulatory letter and employer notification, are immediately available to print and save from your AHIMA CEU center upon the granting of a credential. The certificate valid-through date is automatically updated with the successful completion of each recertification cycle.

You can purchase a hard copy certificate—including reprints of existing certifications or an updated one to reflect a name change—and frame through AHIMA’s certificate partner. Please have your virtual certificate details available when purchasing your hard copy certificate to ensure the certificate data you enter is correct.

Your official transcripts must be received before the certificate number is issued, and the credential designations can be listed on your signature line. Please contact your school, if you have not done so already, and request an official transcript that includes your graduation date and degree issued.

Transcripts must be mailed directly from the school or forwarded in an unopened school envelope for processing to:

AHIMA
Attn: Certification Transcripts
233 N Michigan Avenue, 21^st Floor
Chicago, IL 60601

Once mailed, please allow up to four weeks to process from the date they are received.

Official transcripts may also be sent electronically via a transcript service to certificationtranscripts@ahima.org. Emailed transcripts will not be accepted directly from the school or individual. They must be submitted from a designated transcript service.

If transcripts have already been submitted, please contact us if they may have been submitted be under a different last name.

For international degrees, transcripts must first be evaluated by a credential evaluation agency for US equivalency. Visit the World Education Services: International Credential Evaluation for transcript evaluation. After your international degree(s) and transcripts are evaluated, please forward your completed evaluation along with transcripts to certificationtranscripts@ahima.org.

1. There will no longer be a difference in registration or the testing process for global candidates.
2. There is no longer a testing window, and exams can be taken throughout the year, as long as test centers are open.
3. When selecting a testing location, candidates can select any available/open Pearson VUE location.
4. All candidates will now follow the same policies and procedures stated in the Candidate Guide.

Visit the Updates & Announcements page to see more news about our certifications.

For verification of an individual’s certification status, visit the Credential Verification Portal. Please have the credential holder’s last name and either the credential number or AHIMA ID# ready to complete the online verification process.

AHIMA has joined with Credly, a Pearson Company, to develop a platform that issues digital badges to visually display your accomplishment(s) on social media sites, in your email signature, or on your electronic resume. AHIMA programs using the digital badge platform include the Triumph Awards, AHIMA Fellowships, AHIMA certifications, and HIM Faculty Achievement. 

As you achieve an accomplishment, an email will be sent providing instructions on how to access your digital badge and achieve the greatest benefit from the use of the digital badge. View step-by-step instructions on how to share your badge on varying platforms once claimed.

When the badge is clicked, it will show more information about the accomplishment and the necessary requirements you fulfilled to earn it.  People can click the link to get a better understanding of your significant achievement.

To recertify, complete the checklist below. For more information, visit the Recertify page.

1. Obtain the required number of CEUs during your recertification cycle for each credential (at least 80% of required CEUs for each credential must be related to one of AHIMA’s specified HIIM domains).
2. Participate in accepted and qualified CEU activities.
3. Enter your CEUs on time.
4. Keep all CEU certificates and activities documented for auditing purposes.
5. Ensure your recertification fee is paid.

If you hold one credential, the recertification fee is $218.

If you hold more than one credential, the first recertification fee is $218 and each additional certification is $50. Upon completion of the requirements, a baccalaureate or higher-level HIM credential (RHIA®) replaces an associate-based HIM credential (RHIT®). Once granted, the baccalaureate-based credential is recognized and CEUs for this credential need only be maintained.

Note:

• Credential holders who are not AHIMA members pay the above fees on a biennial basis.
• Credential holders who are AHIMA members pay reduced recertification fees on a biennial basis.
• The cost of your recertification will be based on your membership status when your certification expires.
• Recertification dues will be invoiced in the AHIMA CEU Center and payments must be made by or before your recertification cycle end date.
• All CEUs must be entered into your CEU center before the recertification fees can be paid.

For more information, visit the Recertify page.

• Each Additional Credential (Non-Members) - $50.00
• Extension Fee (Per Credential Non-Members) - $50.00
  
  

Single Credential (All Members excluding Emeritus Members) - $100.00

• Each Additional Credential - $20.00
• Extension Fee (Per Credential) - $50.00
  
  

Single Credential (Emeritus Members ONLY) - $10.00

• Each Additional Credential - $10.00
• Extension Fee (Per Credential) - $50.00
  
  

Reinstatement Fee (Per Credential) (Members & Non-Members) - $368.00

*All fees are non-refundable*

Individuals may appeal the permanent revocation of their credential due to failure to meet CCHIIM recertification requirements. Please submit your appeals via the Recertification Appeal Form. If you are in inactive status and have not been permanently revoked, please refer to the Recertification Guide.

The Commission on Certification for Health Informatics and Information Management (CCHIIM) accepts CEUs earned through participation in formal educational programs of study that address subject areas related to health informatics and information management.

For qualifying continuing education activities and how to calculate CEUs, visit the Recertify page or read the CCHIIM Recertification Guide.

If you need a recertification extension at the end of your 24-month renewal period, it will be available in your CEU center for a $50 fee per credential.