Certified Documentation Improvement Practitioner Credential

Now more than ever, a strong, highly respected clinical documentation improvement (CDI) program can make a difference in achieving the goals of RAC audits, ARRA/HITECH, and other important initiatives aimed at improving the quality of healthcare. In response to industry demand, the Commission on Certification for Health Informatics and Information Management (CCHIIM) developed the CDIP credential.

Professionals earning the CDIP credential will:

• Be distinguished as knowledgeable and competent in clinical documentation in patient health records
• Be positioned as leaders and role models in the health informatics and information management community
• Demonstrate competency in capturing documentation necessary to fully communicate patients’ health status and conditions
• Help provide a strong base of expertise in the industry

AHIMA certification can also help to:

• Improve earning potential
• Increase opportunity for career advancement
• Provide a forum to connect with colleagues

As technology changes the way documentation is captured through the use of EHRs, AHIMA is leading the effort to ensure it is still clear, concise, and compliant. AHIMA has extensive expertise in CDI guidance, knowledge of documentation requirements relative to compliant coding and billing, in addition to EHR functionality to support documentation capture.

At the heart of AHIMA’s mission and vision is documentation that supports quality health information. The CDIP certification confirms the commitment of AHIMA to globally improve and maintain quality information for those involved in healthcare as well as support the integrity of the patient’s health record.

Eligibility Requirements

Candidates who would like to sit for the CDIP exam must meet one of the eligibility requirements below:

• An RHIA^®, RHIT^®, CCS^®, CCS-P^®, RN, MD or DO and two (2) years experience in clinical documentation improvement
• An Associate’s degree or higher and three (3) years of experience in clinical documentation improvement (candidates must also have completed coursework in Medical Terminology and Anatomy and Physiology)

Exam Information

CDIP Live Exam Specifications

CDIP Live Exam Knowledge Topics

The CDIP exam is comprised of multiple choice and multiple select items. The majority of exam questions are in the multiple-choice format, where candidates must select the single correct answer. The remaining multiple select items require candidates to select multiple correct answers (e.g., select 2 correct answers out of the 4 presented).

Applying for the Exam

Submitting an Application

Before submitting an application, carefully review the information contained in this guide. It is the candidate's responsibility to ensure eligibility before submitting the application. Applicants who are determined to be ineligible and submit an ineligible application or request withdrawal of their application, will receive a refund of the application fee minus a $75 processing fee.

Applicants may register online or by submitting a paper application.

Exam Specifications

• 140 questions, 106 scored / 34 pretest (unscored)
  
• 3 hour exam duration

CDIP Live Exam Specifications

CDIP Live Exam Knowledge Topics

When can I take the CDIP exam?

Now! The CDIP exam launched on October 31, 2011.

How many questions are on the exam?

The exam has 140 questions, effective March 12, 2012.

15-30% of the exam is comprised of unscored trial items in order to continually improve our testing experience.

What kinds of questions are on the exam?

The CDIP exam consists of multiple choice and multiple select items. The majority of exam questions are in the multiple-choice format.

Description of CDIP item types:

• Multiple Choice: One best answer item format requires the test taker to select the single best response from the options listed.
• Multiple Select: More than one answer will be required by the test taker (example: select 2 correct answers about of 4 presented; 3 correct answers about of 5, etc.). Candidates will be prompted within the question on how many answers are required.

How much time do I get to take the exam?

Effective March 12, 2012, exam candidates will get 3 hours to complete the exam.

How much does the CDIP exam cost?

The application fee for the CDIP exam is $259 for AHIMA members and $329 for non-members.

What if I do not pass? How long do I need to wait to retake the exam?

Candidates who have taken the exam and were unsuccessful must wait a minimum of 91 days between administrations. To retake an exam, the candidate must reapply by submitting a current application with the appropriate fee.

Are there any exam preparation materials for the CDIP exam?

AHIMA does offer a free CDI toolkit, articles on CDI in the Body of Knowledge (Bok) and publishes a Clinical Documentation book by Ruthann Russo. However, these resources are not specifically for exam preparation.

Are any materials required at the testing center?

No materials are required to sit for the CDIP. No codebooks, calculators, or scratch paper are required, nor are they allowed in the exam with the candidate.