How to Achieve the RHIT Certification
Earning and maintaining your RHIT Certification can be achieved in 4 steps.
1: Make sure you meet the eligibility requirements
Candidates must meet one of the following eligibility requirements to sit for the RHIT examination:
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.
2: Prepare for the exam
Feel confident preparing for the RHIT certification exam using the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) Exam Preparation. This bundle provides an exam voucher code, along with 850 multiple choice practice questions that are based on RHIT competencies and tasks. Be prepared for exam day and start with the RHIT exam preparation!
3: Apply to take the RHIT exam
- Read the Candidate Guide
- Create a MyAHIMA account
- Submit your application online and pay all fees
- Schedule the exam with Pearson Vue within 120-days of eligibility.
4: Maintain your RHIT credential
To maintain your RHIT credential you will need to complete all the recertification requirements over the 2-year certification period, which include submitting the required amount of continuing education units (CEUs) and paying the recertification fee. Check out the Recertification Hub to learn more about CEU opportunities and familiarize yourself with the recertification process.
Prepare for the RHIT Exam
AHIMA certifications are administered by the AHIMA Commission on Certification for Health Informatics and Information Management (CCHIIM). The CCHIIM does not contribute to, review, endorse or require any review books, review sessions, study guides, or other exam preparatory activities.
The RHIT exam preparation simulates the exam experience by offering two complete practice exams and 850 multiple choice questions that are based on the RHIT competencies and tasks. Whether you are a student or have already started your career, the RHIT Exam Preparation will get you prepared for exam day.
RHIT Exam Preparation includes exam preparation guidance and covers the following RHIT domains:
- Domain 1: Data Content, Structure, and Information Governance
- Domain 2: Access, Disclosure, Privacy, and Security
- Domain 3: Data Analytics and Use
- Domain 4: Revenue Cycle Management
- Domain 5: Leadership
Key Features:
- Two complete practice exams based on the RHIT competency statements and tasks for the current RHIT exam.
- Online assessments with 850 multiple-choice questions
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Exam Specifications
Exam format:
The total number of questions on the exam is 150. There are 130 scored items and 20 pretest items.
AHIMA exams contain a variety of questions or item types that require you to use your knowledge, skills, and/or experience to select the best answer. Each exam includes scored questions and pretest questions randomly distributed throughout the exam. Pretest questions are for data collection purposes and they do not count towards the candidate's score.
Time allowed:
Candidates have three and half hours to complete the exam.
Resources required:
There are no required books or resources required for the day of the exam.
Competencies:
Competencies for RHIT fall into five domains. Each domain accounts for a specific percentage of the total questions on the certification exam. See the Exam Content Outline for greater detail.
Exam testing location:
The exam is given in a computer-based format and must be scheduled at a Pearson Vue testing center.
Passing score:
The passing score for the RHIT is 300.
Retake Policy:
To re-take an exam, candidates need to submit a new application along with the relevant exam fee. RHIT candidates must wait 90 days before their application is approved and are able to schedule their retake exam.
Transcripts are kept on file and do not need to be resubmitted. Candidates in their retest waiting period are not authorized to schedule an exam appointment until a new authorization to test letter is issued. AHIMA is not authorized to waive retest periods due to test security policies.
Pricing:
The cost of the RHIT exam is $229 for AHIMA members and $299 for non-members. Test re-take fees are the same as the cost of the exam.
Certified Professionals and Pass Rates
As of 12/31/2023, there were 26,830 certified RHIT professionals.
Year |
Exam |
# First Time Testers |
Pass Rate First Time Testers |
2023*
|
RHIT
|
1,577
|
84%
|
2022*
|
RHIT
|
1,709
|
71%
|
2021*
|
RHIT
|
1,801
|
69%
|
*U.S. and Canada results only
Certification Exam Process & Timelines
AHIMA regularly updates its blueprint (content outline) to be consistent with the Standards of Educational and Psychological Testing (AERA, APA, & NCME, 2014) and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). Listen to a recorded presentation that explains the entire exam development cycle.
Exam development cycle
- Job Task Analysis SMEs identify knowledge, skills, and tasks required for a job. Result of workshop is a survey.
- Exam Specifications SMEs review survey results and develop blueprint (content outline).
- Item Writing/Review SMEs write and review test questions to align with blueprint (content outline).
- Exam Form(s) Review SMEs review test questions on Beta form and review overall form to determine if there is any overlap.
- Pilot/ Beta Exams Candidates begin testing on pilot/beta exam.
- Standard Setting SMES set the performance standard "minimum expectations" which serve as a guide to recommend a passing point.
- Exam Administration The exam is administered to qualified candidates in a live testing environment.
- Exam Maintenance Ongoing maintenance is performed ensuring the form performs as intended.
Exam Development Cycle Completed
Certified Coding Associate (CCA):
- Job Task Analysis: Began Q4 2021
- Content Outline: Publicly available, March 2022
- Pilot/Beta Exam: May 2022
Certified Coding Specialist (CCS):
See an executive summary of the job task analysis with the content outline crosswalk.
- Job Task Analysis: Begins Q2 2023
- Content Outline: Publicly available, October 2023
- Pilot/Beta Exam: May 2024
Certified Coding Specialist-Physician-based (CCS-P):
See an executive summary of the job task analysis with the content outline crosswalk.
- Job Task Analysis: Begins Q2 2023
- Content Outline: Publicly available, October 2023
- Pilot/Beta Exam: May 2024
Certified Healthcare Privacy and Security (CHPS):
- Job Task Analysis: Began Q4 2021
- Content Outline: Publicly available, May 2022
- Pilot/Beta Exam: September 2022
Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT):
See an executive summary of the job task analysis with the content outline crosswalk.
- Job Task Analysis: Began Q4 2021
- Content Outline: Publicly available, May 2022
- Pilot/Beta Exam: October 2022
Certified Documentation Integrity Practitioner (CDIP):
- Job Task Analysis: Began Q2 2022
- Content Outline: Publicly available, January 2023
- Pilot/Beta Exam: June 2023
Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA):
See an executive summary of the job task analysis with the content outline crosswalk.
- Job Task Analysis: Began Q4 2022
- Content Outline: Publicly available, May 2023
- Pilot/Beta Exam: October 2023
Certified Health Data Analysis (CHDA):
- Job Task Analysis: Begins Q1 2023
- Content Outline: Publicly available, Q3 2023
- Pilot/Beta Exam: Q1 2024
Exam Cancellation Policy
AHIMA Approved Continuing Education Provider Program Listing:
- Candidates may cancel and reschedule the examination up to 15 business days prior to the scheduled examination date at no charge.
- Any candidate who cancels or reschedules his or her appointment between 14 days and 24 hours prior to the exam date will be charged a fee of $30 by Pearson VUE.
- Rescheduling and payment must be completed using a valid credit card on the Pearson VUE website or by calling the Pearson VUE Call Center at (888) 524-4622.
- Candidates may not reschedule the examination less than 24 hours prior to the examination appointment.
- Candidates who do not arrive or who arrive late to their scheduled exam appointment time will be considered no-shows and will forfeit their application fee.
- Candidates failing to appear for the scheduled appointment or who are over thirty (30) minutes late will not be allowed to test. A new application and the full application fee must be submitted in order to test.
Deadline
|
Fee
|
Up to 15 days before exam date
|
No charge
|
Between 14 days 24 hours prior to exam date
|
$30
|
No-shows
|
Forfeit application and registration fees
|
Exam Refund
Candidates can request a refund for their exam application up to fourteen (14) business days prior to their scheduled test date or eligibility end date.
Requests can be submitted directly to refunds@ahima.org. Please provide the following information:
- Candidate’s name
- AHIMA ID# (optional)
- Exam type
Appeals
Recertification Appeals
Individuals may appeal the permanent revocation of their credentials due to failure to meet CCHIIM recertification requirements. Appeal applications can only be submitted once every 10 years per credential. Appeal applications can only be submitted within 90 days once your credential is permanently placed in a revoked status. Please submit your appeals via the Recertification Appeal Form. For additional information please see the CCHIIM Disciplinary and Appeal Policy Flowchart and the CCHIIM Disciplinary Appeal Policy Handbook. If you are in inactive status or have not been permanently revoked, please refer to the Recertification Guide.
Examination Complaints
Candidates are required to report any complaints at the test center on the day of their examination. Because of the secure nature of the examination, neither AHIMA nor Pearson VUE will disclose examination questions or candidate’s responses to individual questions.
Candidates who fail the exam and believe irregular testing conditions were a contributing factor may submit a complaint. Examples of irregular testing conditions include a medical or personal emergency during the testing session, exam vendor technical issues such as computer malfunctions or power outages, and other significant test site disruptions.
All complaints must be emailed to certification@ahima.org no later than 7 days after the receipt of the exam score report. All complaints must describe the suspected error or problem and the requested remedy.
Eligibility Request for Reconsideration
Applicants who are notified that they do not meet the eligibility requirements may request reconsideration of this decision by sending an email to certificationappeal@ahima.org within 30 days of communication of the adverse eligibility decision.
Certification staff will review the request for reconsideration and will decide on eligibility. No new or additional information will be accepted once the request is submitted. A decision will be made within 30 days of receipt. You will be notified via email.
Code of Ethics Violations / Professional Misconduct
The AHIMA Code of Ethics applies to AHIMA members and credentialed professionals who are not members. If you believe an AHIMA member or credentialed professional has violated the Code of Ethics, you may file a complaint with AHIMA.
Specifically, potential ethics violations regarding misconduct that involves currently certified individuals (i.e. certificate holders) must be submitted via an Ethics Complaint Form, along with supporting documentation, to CCHIIM@ahima.org. The CCHIIM Review Panel hears potential ethics violations regarding misconduct, pursuant to the AHIMA Code of Ethics and the CCHIIM Disciplinary and Appeal Policy. For additional information please see the CCHIIM Disciplinary and Appeal Policy Flowchart.