Education · 1 of 4
The path
The credential is the gate, and only accredited programs let you sit for it.
- 1
High school
Grades 11 and 12
Biology for the medical vocabulary, English for the writing, and any computer or database course you can get.
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Accredited degree
2 to 4 years
A two-year associate or a four-year bachelor's degree in health information management. It must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education, or you cannot sit the national exam.
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Professional practice experience
During the degree
Built into accredited programs: supervised time inside a real records department, learning the systems.
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Pass the national exam
Weeks after graduating
The Registered Health Information Administrator exam for bachelor's graduates, or the technician-level exam for associate graduates. The administrator exam is 150 questions in three and a half hours.
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Move up
5 to 10 years
Technician, then supervisor, then manager or director. Privacy officer and compliance roles branch off the same track.