Certifications & Careers

RHIAs are a critical link between care providers, payers, and patients. The RHIA has a comprehensive knowledge of medical, administrative, ethical, and legal requirements and standards related to healthcare delivery and privacy of protected patient information.  RHIAs work in multiple settings in the healthcare industry, including hospitals, multispecialty clinics and physician practices, long-term care, mental health, and other ambulatory care settings. They can also work in non-patient care settings such as managed care and insurance companies, software vendors, consulting services, government agencies, education, and pharmaceutical companies.

RHIAs: 

• Manage people and operational units, participate in administrative committees, and prepare budgets. 
• Interact with all levels of an organization—clinical, financial, administrative, and information systems—that employ patient data in decision-making and everyday operations. 
• Manage patient health information and medical records, administer computer information systems, collect and analyze patient data, and use classification systems and medical terminologies. 

Eligibility Requirements: Before applying to take the RHIA exam, you must meet one of the following eligibility requirements:

• Successfully complete the baccalaureate-level academic requirements of a Health Information Management (HIM) program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)¹; or
• Successfully complete the Master’s-level academic requirements of an HIM program accredited by the CAHIIM; or
• Successfully complete the academic requirements of an HIM Certificate of the Degree (Post-Baccalaureate) program approved by the CAHIIM; or
• Graduate from an HIM program approved by a foreign association with which AHIMA has a reciprocity agreement²;

¹ Students interested in obtaining a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Certificate of Completion, or Transfer of Credits information must contact the CAHIIM-accredited program in which they wish to enroll regarding their institutional policies. Please visit the CAHIIM program directory for a list of CAHIIM-accredited programs.

² AHIMA and the Canadian Health Information Management Association (CHIMA); Korean Medical Record Association (KMRA); and Health Information Management Association of Australia (HIMAA) shall permit a graduate of a program in HIM at the baccalaureate degree level to apply to write the appropriate certification examination consistent with the academic level achieved and given independently by the aforementioned associations. The graduate must meet the educational competencies for certification as a technician or administrator established by the association to which the application is made.

Apply to take the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) exam.  

• Non-member price: $299 (Learn more about the benefits of AHIMA membership.) 
• Member price: $229 

Eligibility for Early Testing

Students in CAHIIM-accredited HIM academic programs may be eligible to apply for and take the RHIA or RHIT certification exam early. Students who meet the following requirements are eligible for early testing:

• Students currently enrolled and in their last term of study
• Students who have completed their course work but have not yet graduated
• Graduates that are currently waiting for their official transcripts

To apply to take the exam early, purchase the exam through the AHIMA Store. Complete the online exam application, select the early testing options and upload the completed application for early testing. Please be sure to only submit your exam application with the completed application for early testing, otherwise your application will not be approved.

Candidates who apply for early testing and successfully pass their exam will have their credential granted once official transcripts that include the graduation date are received and verified. Recertification requirements are the same as for others who pass the exam.