Maintaining AHIMA certifications involves a required recertification process, highlighting the dedication to staying up to date in the ever-changing field of health information. This process ensures that education standards remain rigorous, consistent, and of high quality. Recertification is proof of the ongoing competence and relevance of AHIMA-certified professionals in today's fast-paced healthcare environment.
2024 Recertification Policy Updates
Beginning January 1, 2024 updates to the recertification process recently approved by the Certification Commission for Health Informatics and Information Management (CCHIIM) will take effect. The new policy provides more options for earning CEUs, recognizes a wider range of experiences for CEU reporting, and elevates the authority and credibility of AHIMA certifications.
Click the button below to download the FAQs for the 2024 Recertification Policy Updates.
Download the 2024 Recertification Policy Update
Beginning January 1, 2025, the Commission on Certification for Health Informatics and Information Management (CCHIIM) will implement a new requirement that 40% of CEUs must come from AHIMA.
Click the button below to download the forty percent CEU requirement FAQs.
The Commission on Certification for Health Informatics and Information Management (CCHIIM) Recertification Guide is a comprehensive guide that provides step-by-step instructions and details on recertification requirements. We strongly encourage you to become familiar with the Recertification Guide for all AHIMA certifications.
At the AHIMA, we believe education leads to empowerment.
That’s why we're all about ensuring the strength of our recertification program. Our mission is to validate the rigor, quality, and consistency of qualified learning experiences, making sure AHIMA-certified individuals stay sharp and feel empowered in their certified domains.
To recertify, individuals must earn a specified number of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) during a 2-year certification cycle. The initial recertification cycle for newly credentialed individuals (i.e., individuals who have earned their first credential) is two years beginning on the day the exam was passed.
If you took an exam as an early tester or have multiple credentials, then your recertification cycle will be impacted. Please check your CEU Center to verify your recertification cycle dates.
Earning and Calculating CEUs
With so many options to earn CEUs, recertification is now easier and more accessible for AHIMA credential holders. CEUs must be earned within your recertification cycle and must be relevant to the Heath Information (HI) field as presented in the Health Information and Informatics Management (HIIM) domains to be eligible for CEU credit. Calculation of CEUs is based upon clock hours, and 0.5 CEUs are given for every thirty (30) minutes of attendance or participation that is fixed in length.
Enhancing and maintaining your AHIMA certification has never been simpler. With new CEU options, you can go above and beyond, adding even more value, flexibility, and professional growth benefits to your certification journey.
Your AHIMA CEU Center
CEUs can be entered throughout your two-year recertification cycle and must be entered before the end of your two-year cycle to avoid penalties. We strongly suggest you enter your CEUs as you earn your CEUs during your recertification cycle to ensure accuracy when reporting.
On the last day of your two-year recertification cycle, your account will automatically be reviewed. If all required CEUs have been entered and approved, and the recertification fee has been paid, you will roll over to your next two-year recertification cycle.
If your requirements have not been met by the end of the two-year recertification cycle your account will become inactive. Please review the recertification statuses and the Recertification Guide for additional details.
Recertification Fees
If you hold one credential, the recertification fee is $100 for members and $218 for non-members.
If you hold more than one credential, the first credential recertification fee remains the same ($100 members/ $218 non-members). Each additional credential has a recertification fee of $20 for members and $50 for non-members.
Details on recertification fees can be found in the Recertification Guide.
*Please note that membership fees and recertification fees are no longer combined and will be billed separately.
Recertification Status
Your certification status is based on meeting the recertification requirements within the two-year recertification cycle.
Certification Status Types
Details and definitions of the certification status types can be found in the Recertification Guide.
- Active: All recertification requirements have been met.
- Inactive: Failure to complete recertification requirements within 2-year cycle. This status lasts for 6 -months and the credential may not be used during this period.
- Temporarily Revoked: Failure to complete recertification requirements during inactive period. This status lasts for 6 -months and the credential may not be used during this time.
- Permanently Revoked: Failure to complete recertification requirements within the temporary revoked period. Credentials may not be used once they are revoked.
- Retired: Voluntary request of a fully retired individual who is no longer working in the field of health information. The individual must use the term “retired” following their credential to differentiate from the active status.
- Voluntarily Relinquished: Based on voluntary requests of an individual who no longer wished to maintain their credential and voluntarily withdraws from the recertification process
FAQs
To recertify, complete these steps.
- 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).
- Participate in accepted and qualified CEU activities.
- Enter your CEUs on time.
- Keep all CEU certificates and activities documented for auditing purposes.
- Ensure your recertification fee is paid.
What is the recertification fee?
If you hold one credential, the recertification fee is $218. (Non-members.).
If you hold more than one credential, the first recertification fee is $218 (non-members) and each additional certification is $50.
If requiring an extension to meet recertification requirements, a $50 fee is applied for each credential needing an extension.
For any new AHIMA credential earned that supersedes a different AHIMA credential currently held, only CEUs and recertification fees will apply to the new credential to be maintained.
If your credential needs to be reinstated, there will be a $368.00 fee (members and non-members), per credential needing reinstatement.
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.
- Please note that recertification and membership fees are billed separately and must be paid separately.
- All fees paid are non-refundable.
More information about recertification fee requirements can be found in the Recertification Guide.
You can enter your CEUs throughout your recertification cycle by logging into your MyAHIMA account and visiting the CEU Center located in the “Education and Certification” section.
- Go to the CEU Center tab.
- Choose the source where the CEU was earned.
- Complete the required fields.
- Submit CEU documentation (e.g., CEU certificate or unofficial transcripts). This is optional but you should retain documentation for future audits.
- Enter only your required CEUs.
- *Beginning January 1, 2024, 20% of additional CEUs obtained over the required amount during the last 3 months of your cycle can be “rolled over” to your next recertification cycle.
How do I submit a recertification appeal?
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 your status is inactive and have not been permanently revoked, please refer to the Recertification Guide.
What are qualifying continuing education activities?
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, please refer to the Recertification Guide.
What should I do if I need more time to recertify?
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.
What are other policies and procedures that may be required?
AHIMA has special policies and procedures for the following processes:
- Audits
- Recertification Appeals
- Reinstatement of Revoked Credentials
- Temporary Waivers
More details about the process for these special policies and procedures can be found in the Recertification Guide.
What information is available about the AHIMA CEU 40% requirement that begins January 1, 2025?
Please download the 2025 40% AHIMA CEU Requirement FAQ document for more information.