• CAHIMS®
    Certified Associate in Healthcare Information and Management Systems

    Newer to digital health? Our Certified Associate in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CAHIMS®) credential shows you’ve mastered the essential foundation and are ready to drive change.

  • Validate your professional knowledge

  • Increase your credibility

  • Extend your digital health knowledge

  • Open up new career opportunities

  • Advance digital health with confidence

    Whether you're driving change or supporting innovation, the CAHIMS credential helps you lead with credibility. Designed for professionals who contribute to the planning, implementation, and optimization of health technology, CAHIMS validates your ability to support complex systems, navigate clinical workflows, and collaborate across teams.

    The 2-hour, 115-question exam covers key areas including systems analysis, clinical informatics and project management, giving you a well-rounded foundation to deliver results in any healthcare setting.

    Who it’s for: Early-careerists and solutions providers seeking to build trust and demonstrate expertise in digital health.

How much does the exam cost?

  • $399

    HIMSS Member, Corporate Member, or Student Member

  • $349

    HIMSS Organizational Affiliate

  • $439

    Non-member

Additional CAHIMS certification details

  • Eligibility Requirements

    To qualify to take the CAHIMS Exam and earn CAHIMS certification, you must:

    • Hold a High School Diploma or equivalent, and
    • Have at least 45 hours of continuing education in healthcare information technology, digital health or informatics, specifically covering content found on the CAHIMS Outline of Exam Topics or 150 hours experience in any type of IT and Healthcare setting or role (volunteer, practicum/internship, work).

    OR

    • Hold an associate, bachelor, or advanced degree from an accredited college or university, and
    • Have at least 25 hours of continuing education in healthcare information technology, digital health or informatics, specifically covering content found on the CAHIMS Outline of Exam Topics or 75 hours experience in any type of IT and Healthcare setting or role (volunteer, practicum/internship, work).


    For detailed information on eligibility requirements, see the CAHIMS Candidate Handbook.

  • Preparing for the exam

    Start by reviewing the CAHIMS Candidate Handbook, which provides a detailed outline explaining the content and structure of the exam. It 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 in our CAHIMS Resources. Additionally, be sure to consider our CAHIMS Review Guide.

    Check out the CAHIMS Competency Gap Assessment and Learning Plan.

    Instructor-led, interactive, one-day, in-person review courses, as well as online review courses and instructional webinars, are available. Contact us for more information, or find upcoming courses and webinars on our Events page.


    The CAHIMS Self-Assessment Exam is a 50-question online practice test that was developed using the same process as the CAHIMS certification exam. The practice test conforms to the CAHIMS certification exam’s specifications in topical content, cognitive levels, and format—but not number of questions, time allotted, or difficulty. Use the practice test to familiarize yourself with the format and type of questions you will find on the actual certification exam. At the end of the practice test, you will see a results screen. You can click on any incorrect questions to review the correct answers, to help you identify areas for further review, and study. The questions presented in the practice exam are different from the questions contained on the actual certification exam and should not be considered predictive of your performance on the certification exam. Please allow 5-7 business days for your practice exam transaction to process.

  • Application Process

    The CAHIMS Exam is delivered through a network of computer-based assessment centers around the world.


    Submit Your Application


    Applications will be reviewed for eligibility, and candidates will be contacted with instructions on how to make their testing reservation.


    To locate the testing center nearest you, visit our testing partner website. Candidates will not be able to make a testing reservation until they have received an eligibility ID number.


    HIMSS exams are no longer available in Quebec due to a new law requiring exams to be in both French and English. Since our exams are only in English, Quebec residents will not be able to take them locally our virtually.


    Questions? Reach out to us at certification@himss.org.

  • Taking 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 have been identified as being important to competent practice through a job analysis in health IT.


    Exams are administered at Pearson VUE Testing Centers, at the candidate’s home or office through a remotely proctored internet-based platform, and at select HIMSS events, such as the HIMSS Global Health Conference. All candidates must apply and receive an eligibility ID number before making a reservation to test.


    Candidates will receive results before leaving the testing session.

  • After You’re Certified

    Candidates who successfully pass the exam will receive a hardcopy certificate and lapel pin approximately eight (8) weeks after completing the exam. These materials will be mailed to the address provided on the candidate’s HIMSS customer record. Certification is valid for three (3) years. To maintain the certification certificants must either apply and take the exam again or maintain the certification through continuing education hours and payment of a renewal fee. More information about recertification can be found on our Recertification page.

    Candidates who do not receive a passing score should refer to the CAHIMS Candidate Handbook for more information regarding the process to retake the exam.

  • CAHIMS Certification Fees

    (All fees in U.S. dollars)

    • OA Member $349.00
    • Member, Corporate or Student Member $399.00
    • Non-member $439.00
    • Extension $139.00
    • Retake $229.00
    • Renewal (Member) $199.00
    • Renewal (Non-Member) $329.00
    • Self-Assessment Exam (Member) $119.00
    • Self-Assessment Exam (Non-Member) $129.00

    (Chapter Only and Online Only Members are not eligible for the Member rate)

  • Veterans Exam Fee Reimbursement

    The CAHIMS Exam fee is eligible for reimbursement for U.S. veterans. To be reimbursed, you must be eligible for the Montgomery G.I. Bill, Reserve Education Assistance Program, Veterans Education Assistance Program, or Dependents Educational Assistance programs. For more information about benefit and eligibility requirements, contact your assigned Veterans Affairs office or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Recertification

Want to renew your CAHIMS certification?