How to Verify an RHIA or RHIT Credential

Quick answer

Verify RHIA and RHIT credentials through the AHIMA Credential Verification tool at ahima.org/certification. Search by the credential holder's name to confirm active credential status. Both credentials require ongoing continuing education — an AHIMA credential not in active status cannot be used professionally.

RHIA vs. RHIT: the core distinction

RHIA and RHIT are related but distinct credentials at different educational levels:

Credential	Education required	Typical role level
RHIT	Associate's degree from CAHIIM-accredited program	Technician — coding, data entry, medical records
RHIA	Bachelor's degree from CAHIIM-accredited program	Administrator — HIM director, compliance, informatics

The RHIT is typically an entry- to mid-level credential for technicians working in medical records, coding, and data integrity roles. The RHIA is a management-level credential for health information directors, compliance officers, and clinical informatics leaders.

How to verify an RHIA or RHIT credential

Step 1: Use the AHIMA Credential Verification tool

Navigate to ahima.org/certification and locate the credential verification tool. AHIMA maintains a public directory of credentialed members in active standing. The search is free and does not require an AHIMA account.

Search by the credential holder's first and last name. Results show the credential type (RHIA, RHIT, CCS, etc.), active status, and the state associated with the credential holder.

Step 2: Confirm credential type and active status

AHIMA members may hold multiple credentials. Confirm the specific credential claimed (RHIA or RHIT) is listed and shows as active. An RHIT does not imply RHIA — they are separate credentials requiring separate education and examination.

If the candidate does not appear in the directory, ask for their AHIMA member ID and request direct verification from AHIMA. Members occasionally opt out of the public directory.

Step 3: Verify the educational credential independently

Both RHIA and RHIT require graduation from a CAHIIM-accredited program. CAHIIM (Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education) is the accrediting body for HIM programs. If the role requires confirming the educational credential itself — not just the AHIMA certification — verify the candidate's degree from a CAHIIM-accredited institution separately.

CAHIIM accreditation: why the school matters

Eligibility to sit for the RHIA or RHIT examination requires completion of a program accredited by CAHIIM. This means:

› A degree from a non-CAHIIM-accredited program does not qualify a candidate to sit for the RHIA or RHIT exam
› Diploma mill programs offering "health information management degrees" are not CAHIIM-accredited and produce ineligible candidates
› CAHIIM accreditation can be verified at cahiim.org — search by program name or institution

Accreditation gap risk

Some HIM programs lose CAHIIM accreditation after students enroll. A candidate who completed a program that was accredited at enrollment but lost accreditation before graduation may not have been eligible to sit for the exam. Verify the program's accreditation status at the time of the candidate's graduation, not just current accreditation status.

AHIMA credential maintenance requirements

Credential	CE hours	Renewal cycle
RHIT	20 CE hours every 2 years	2 years
RHIA	30 CE hours every 2 years	2 years
CCS	20 CE hours every 2 years	2 years

Credentials that lapse due to non-renewal are removed from the active directory. Reinstatement requires completing missed CE requirements and paying a reinstatement fee — it is not automatic.

Other AHIMA credentials

AHIMA issues several credentials relevant to health information management, coding, and informatics roles. All are verifiable through the same AHIMA credential verification tool:

CCS — Certified Coding Specialist

Inpatient coding

Inpatient hospital coding using ICD-10-CM/PCS. Strong in acute care, DRG assignment, and facility-side coding. Distinct from AAPC's CPC (outpatient/ physician coding). No degree required — exam-based.

CCS-P — Certified Coding Specialist-Physician-based

Physician coding

Physician-based (outpatient) coding using CPT, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS. AHIMA's equivalent of AAPC's CPC, though less widely held. Targeted at physician practice and multispecialty group coding.

CHDA — Certified Health Data Analyst

Data analytics

Focuses on health data analysis, reporting, and presentation. Relevant for health informatics, population health, and analytics roles in payers and health systems.

CHPS — Certified in Healthcare Privacy and Security

Privacy & compliance

Covers HIPAA compliance, privacy program management, and health information security. Common for privacy officers and compliance managers in health systems.

RHIA/RHIT roles: what these credentials cover

Understanding the scope of RHIA and RHIT credentials helps confirm credential-to-role fit during hiring:

Role	RHIT fit	RHIA fit
Medical records technician	Strong	Overqualified
Inpatient coder (HIM dept.)	Strong	Yes
HIM department director	Possible (smaller facilities)	Standard
Clinical informatics	Limited	Strong
HIPAA privacy officer	Limited	Strong (+ CHPS)
CDI specialist (clinical documentation)	Yes	Strong

Verify the program accreditation too

RHIA and RHIT credentials require graduation from a CAHIIM-accredited HIM program. Use VerifyED to confirm that a candidate's degree comes from a legitimately accredited institution — and catch diploma mill health information programs before they enter your HIM hiring pipeline.

Search Schools and Accreditation →