AHIMA certifications are maintained through a required recertification process. Recertification ensures that certified professionals stay up to date in the constantly evolving HIM field. Through recertification, AHIMA-certified individuals demonstrate their continued competency and current qualifications in today’s changing and challenging healthcare environment.
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 you have multiple credentials, then your recertification cycle will be impacted. Please check your CEU Center for your recertification cycle.
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. The changes will be required of anyone beginning a two-year recertification cycle in 2024. Click the button below to download the FAQs for the 2024 Recertification Policy Updates.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) must be earned within your recertification cycle and must be relevant to the HIIM field as presented in the HIIM domains to be eligible for CEU credit. Eighty (80) percent of all CEUs must be earned within the HIIM domain. The remaining twenty (20) percent can include participation in continuing education activities on topics not included in the HIIM domains, but relevant to the credential holder’s professional position.
Detailed information concerning continuing education activities can be found in AHIMA’s Recertification Guide.
Calculation of CEUs is based upon clock hours. 0.5 CEUs are given for every thirty (30) minutes of attendance or participation that is fixed in length.
A session lasting 30 to 44 minutes will be accepted for 0.5 CEU credits; a session lasting less than 30 minutes will not be accepted for CEU credit. CEU credit should be calculated according to the following method:
Session Length | CEU Credits |
0–29 minutes (0-0.49 hrs) | 0 CEUs |
30–44 minutes (0.50–0.74 hrs) | 0.5 CEUs |
45–89 minutes (0.75–1.49 hrs) | 1 CEU |
90–104 minutes (1.50–1.74 hrs) | 1.5 CEUs |
105–149 minutes (1.75–2.49 hrs) | 2 CEUs |
150–164 minutes (2.50–2.74 hrs) | 2.5 CEUs |
165–209 minutes (2.75–3.49 hrs) | 3 CEU |
If you have one AHIMA credential, you must earn either 20 or 30 CEUs per recertification cycle. See table below:
If You Have A(n)... | You Must Earn... |
CCA®, CCS®, CCS-P®, or RHIT® | 20 CEUs |
CHPS®, CHDA®, CDIP®, or RHIA® | 30 CEUs |
If you have more than one AHIMA credential, you must earn ten (10) additional CEUs per credential up to a maximum of (50) CEUs.
For example:
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.
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 recertification statuses and the Recertification Guide for additional details.
You can enter your CEUs throughout your recertification cycle by logging into your MyAHIMA account and visiting your “CEU Center” located in the “Education and Certification” section.
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.
Note:
Credentialed individuals will hold the status of Active, Revoked, Retired, or Voluntary Relinquished, depending on factors listed below.
Active status is based on meeting the recertification requirements within the two (2) year recertification cycle.
Inactive status is based on failure to complete the recertification requirements within the two (2) year recertification cycle following the end of the recertification cycle. Inactive status lasts for a 6-month Inactive Period, after which the status moves to Revoked if recertification requirements are not met (see details of Revoked status below).
The credential(s) may not be used during the period of inactive status. To reactive a credential to Active status, credential holders must meet original recertification requirements and pay a late fee.
Credentials are revoked after failure to complete recertification requirements and report CEUs within the two (2) year recertification cycle and six (6) months of the Inactive Period.
Revoked status can also be based on decisions by the CCHIIM Appeals Committee or AHIMA Professional Ethics Committee regarding misconduct.
Individuals may not use their applicable credential(s) once they have been revoked. Individuals must meet reinstatement requirements detailed in the Recertification Guide to reactivate a credential to Active status.
Based on a voluntary request of an individual who no longer wishes to maintain his or her credential and voluntarily withdraws from the recertification process.
Based on the voluntary request of a fully retired individual who is no longer working in the field
of HIIM. The individual may retire and begin work in a field unrelated to HIIM so long as he or she no
longer holds any HIIM responsibilities.
Each year a percentage of credential holders are randomly selected for an audit. Individuals selected for audits will be notified via email and are required to submit verifiable documentation (for example, certificates of attendance or similar materials) for each activity listed in their CEU center by the due date specified on the audit notification material.
Verifiable documentation can include certificates of attendance, program materials, or other information provided by the sponsor that verify program date, length, and subject matter (e.g., agenda, program outline, handout, meeting summary, or meeting transcript). It is therefore recommended that participants in CEU programs retain records and program documents in their files for at least two year following their recertification cycle end date.
Individuals who fail to respond to an audit request by the specified due date or are found to have submitted false information in their CEU center may be denied.
CCHIIM may temporarily waive recertification requirements due to extenuating circumstances or hardships (e.g., financial hardship, illness, unforeseen circumstances, and natural catastrophes). Temporary waiver requests must be done in writing. Requests must include documentation (e.g., unemployment letter, obituary or death certificates, medical records) showing why the recertification requirements could not be met. Requests and documentation must be submitted in writing to Recert@ahima.org. Please be advised, preemptive waivers will not be considered if received during the last 6 months of your recertification cycle. Detailed information concerning the temporary waiver process can be found in AHIMA’s Recertification Guide.
AHIMA will not be granting any temporary waiver requests due to COVID-19.
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 or have not been permanently revoked, please refer to the Recertification Guide.
Reinstatement of Revoked Credentials
CCHIIM provides two ways to reinstate a revoked credential (up to 6 months once the credential status has changed from Inactive to Revoked):
Option A: Reactivate by Continuing Education Units
Option B: Reactivate by Exam
After one year following the end of the recertification cycle, the only way to return to an active status is to retake the certification exam and successfully pass.
Detailed information concerning the reinstatement of Revoked Credentials process can be found in AHIMA’s Recertification Guide."