Four Steps to Becoming a Certified Associate in Health Information & Management Systems
The application and exam process is outlined below.
Become CAHIMS Certified
Am I qualified for the exam?
To be eligible for the CAHIMS exam, you must have a High school diploma or equivalent
For more information see the eligibility requirements of the CAHIMS Candidate Handbook.
Prepare for the Exam
The CAHIMS Candidate Handbook provides a detailed content outline explaining the content and structure of the exam. The outline will help you identify your strengths and weaknesses and focus your preparation.
HIMSS also offers review materials to help candidates prepare for the exam including webinars, review courses and books. Find the review materials that work best for you!.
Apply
HIMSS exams are delivered via a network of computer-based assessment centers around the world.
Applications will be reviewed for eligibility and candidates will be contacted with instructions on how to make their personal testing reservation.
To locate the testing center nearest you, visit our testing partner website and select the "Locate A Testing Center" icon. Candidates will not be able to make a testing reservation until they have received an Eligibility ID#.
Application Fees
- HIMSS Individual Organizational Affiliate Member: $140 US
- HIMSS Regular, Corporate or Student Member: $175 US
- Non-Member: $225 US
Chapter-Only and Online-Only members are not eligible for the member rate. Payment may be made by credit card (VISA , MasterCard, American Express or Discover)
What's on the exam?
The CAHIMS exam is a two-hour Exam composed of 115 multiple-choice questions, 100 of which are scored. The exam focuses on common knowledge and skills that were identified as being important to competent practice through a job analysis.
Where do I take the exam?
Typically candidates take the exam on a computer at an AMP Assessment Center.
HIMSS also offers group administrations of the exam at events such as the HIMSS Annual Conference & Exhibition. For group administrations, a different application form is required. For more information, contact certification@himss.org.
How are exam results reported?
Candidates who take the exam on computer at an AMP Assessment Center receive their score reports before leaving the testing center. Candidates who take the exam in a paper-and-pencil format receive their score reports from AMP by mail approximately five weeks after the examination.