Program Guide

REV. 2026 01 16
For questions about AMIA Health Informatics Certification
Website: [Link]/ahic

Email: certification@[Link]

Mail: American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA)

Certification Department
6218 Georgia Avenue NW, Suite #1
PMB 3077
Washington, DC 20011
USA

Phone: 301-657-1291, extension 900

Statement of Non-Discrimination
AMIA does not discriminate against individuals with respect to age, sex, color, religion, national origin,
ethnicity, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or any other
characteristic, class, or status protected by law. Reasonable and consistent use of non-discrimination and
impartiality policies and procedures apply to all certification program processes, to include application,
assessment, ACHIP eligibility requirements, and business operations. AMIA complies with applicable
federal, state, and local laws.

Version
The original version of this guide was approved by the AMIA Health Informatics Certification Commission
and AMIA Certification Department in April 2021.

© 2021 American Medical Informatics Association. AMIA Health Informatics Certification™, AHIC™ and
ACHIP™ are trademarks of the American Medical Informatics Association. All rights reserved.

AHIC™ Certification Guide, Effective April 2021, Rev. 2025 10 15 Page 2 of 29

AHIC Program Guide Table of Contents
For questions about AMIA Health Informatics Certification ................................. 2
Statement of Non-Discrimination ............................................................................ 2
Version....................................................................................................................... 2
About the AHIC Program Guide .............................................................................. 5
Acronyms and Definitions ....................................................................................... 5
AMIA’s Commitment ................................................................................................. 6
AHIC Overview .......................................................................................................... 6
AHIC Benefits ............................................................................................................ 8
Eligibility Requirements ........................................................................................... 8
Outside-the-USA Applicants .................................................................................... 9
Steps to Certification .............................................................................................. 10
The AHIC Application ............................................................................................. 11
Application Audits .................................................................................................. 11
Exam Accommodations ......................................................................................... 11
Preparing for the Exam........................................................................................... 12
The AHIC Exam ....................................................................................................... 12
Scheduling the Exam.............................................................................................. 13
Exam Eligibility Extensions ................................................................................... 13
Failure to Schedule an Exam Appointment .......................................................... 13
Cancelling or Rescheduling an Exam ................................................................... 13
Failure to Appear for a Scheduled Exam .............................................................. 14
Exigent Circumstances .......................................................................................... 14
What to Expect on Exam Day ................................................................................ 14
Test Center Security ............................................................................................... 15
Dismissal from the Testing Center ........................................................................ 15
Misuse/Disclosure of Exam Content ..................................................................... 16
Exam Scores ........................................................................................................... 16
Confidentiality and Disclosure Policy ................................................................... 17
Re‐Examination....................................................................................................... 18

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 Official Notice of Certification ............................................................................... 18
Recertification Requirements ................................................................................ 19
Recertification Schedule ........................................................................................ 23
Alternatives to Recertification ............................................................................... 24
AHIC Fees ................................................................................................................ 25
AHIC Applicant, Candidates, and Diplomate Responsibilities ........................... 25
Appeals Process ..................................................................................................... 25
Records Retention Policy ...................................................................................... 27
Policy on Use of the Certification Mark ................................................................ 27

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About the AHIC Program Guide
This guide provides information on how to apply for and maintain AMIA Health Informatics Certification
(AHIC). The sections that follow provide an overview of the AHIC program, outline steps for pursuing
AHIC, present key AHIC policies, and include links to related documents. The most current version of this
document supersedes any previous versions and can be found at [Link]/AHIC.

It is essential that AHIC applicants and diplomates are aware of the policies that affect their application
and ongoing certification. AHIC applicants should read this handbook prior to submitting an AHIC
application. AMIA certification staff are available to answer your questions. Email is the most efficient
method of communicating with us: certification@[Link].

Acronyms and Definitions

AHIC™: AMIA Health Informatics Certification

ACHIP™: AMIA Certified Health Informatics Professional

HIPEC™: Health Informatics Professional Emeritus Certificate

HICC: Health Informatics Certification Commission

Applicant: an individual who submitted an application for certification

Candidate: an individual who received confirmation of AHIC eligibility

Diplomate: an individual who has earned the ACHIP credential and meets criteria for recertification

Certification: A process by which individuals who have demonstrated the level of knowledge and skill
required in the profession, occupation, or role are identified to the public and other stakeholders (ICE
Handbook, 2nd Edition).

Recertification: Requirements and procedures for certified individuals must meet to ensure continuing
competence and renew/maintain their certification.

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AMIA’s Commitment
For over 35 years, American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) members have been leading the
effort to transform healthcare through informatics practice, research, and education. AMIA is committed
to advancing the field, supporting informatics professionals, and promoting informatics best practice to
assure that health data and information technology are used most effectively to promote health and
health care.

AMIA established the AMIA Health Informatics Certification (AHIC) program to address the needs created
by the growing number and expanding role of health informaticians and the concomitant increased impact
of their work in healthcare delivery, public health, and consumer health.

AMIA seeks to provide a customer-focused certification process that meets the highest standards for
certification program quality as defined by certification program accreditation criteria (i.e., National
Commission for Certifying Agencies). AMIA established the Health Informatics Certification Commission
(HICC) to manage the program with impartiality and objectivity. The HICC is independent and
autonomous with respect to certification and recertification decisions, policies, and procedures. To ensure
the integrity of the AHIC certification program and its exams, there is a firewall between the HICC and
certification staff (on one side of the firewall) and AMIA education staff, Education Committee members,
course developers and instructors, and the Board of Directors (on the other side of the firewall).

AHIC Overview

The AHIC Program Mission

The AHIC Program is dedicated to enhancing and promoting the health informatics profession
by providing the premier health informatics credential program. The AHIC program
accomplishes this mission by establishing standards for professional practice; creating a fair,
valid, and reliable examination process by which professionals can demonstrate their
knowledge and skill; granting certification to those who meet the program’s standards; and
communicating the value of the credential to employers and other key constituencies.

AHIC was created by and for health informaticians. AHIC enables health informatics professionals to
demonstrate competence and commitment to excellence. It is intended for individuals seeking to
document mastery of health informatics knowledge and readiness to apply this knowledge to real world
healthcare challenges. AHIC provides health informatics practice benchmarking and competency criteria
that support health informatics professionals and organizations that hire them. Further, by supporting
the use of best health informatics practices, AHIC is expected to strengthen the healthcare system and
protect public safety.

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AHIC is intended for professionals who

• come from a range of educational and training pathways including, but not limited to, dentistry,
medicine, nursing, pharmacy, public health, health informatics, and computer science
• use informatics concepts and tools to design solutions to complex problems or identify
opportunities for improvement in health care, public health, or consumer health at the individual,
unit, organization, or system level
• have health informatics experience that includes critical thinking and analysis; independent
decision-making; project management; managing personnel, resources or partner relationships;
leading or supporting teams; policy development; or strategic planning

AHIC assesses competence of health informatics professionals whose work may impact organizational
performance or affect public safety. As a result, the AHIC program emphasizes operational, rather than
research-focused dimensions of informatics.

The AHIC process involves 3 major elements -- eligibility determination, examination to assess
competence, and recertification requirements. Pursuant to best practice, the 2019 Health Informatics
Practice Analysis and resulting Health Informatics Delineation of Practice underpin AHIC eligibility criteria
and the AHIC Outline of Exam Topics. An individual who meets the AHIC eligibility criteria, passes the AHIC
exam, and fulfills recertification requirements is known as an AMIA Certified Health Informatics
Professional or ACHIP™.

Figure 1 summarizes the steps to become certified. The remainder of this guide describes the policies and
procedures associated with these steps.

Receive
Confirm you meet Schedule exam
Apply and pay fee Authorization to Test
AHIC eligibility critera appointment
(ATT)

Receive exam results Begin tracking

Prepare for the exam Take the exam & certificate with recertification
passing score activities

Figure 1. Key Steps for AHIC Applicants and Candidates

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AHIC Benefits
For Diplomates

The AHIC program (i.e., becoming certified as an ACHIP) provides objective, third-party validation of
mastery of health informatics and demonstrates expertise to employers, patients, grantors, publishers,
students, and other stakeholders. AHIC signals commitment to maintaining professional competency,
continuous learning, and adhering to professional standards.

Achieving AHIC is a significant accomplishment that distinguishes ACHIPs from other health informatics
professionals. AHIC conveys dedication to practice excellence and signals the knowledge and skills needed
to drive healthcare improvement and innovation through safe and effective use of health information and
information technology.

AHIC recertification ensures that diplomates maintain professional competency and acquire new skills.
Thus, AHIC diplomates are able to effectively apply health informatics expertise to current and emerging
health care challenges.

For Other Stakeholders

AMIA designed AHIC to:

• Contribute to public safety and well-being through the certification of health informatics
professionals who are capable of
o enhancing organizational performance and positively impacting individual and population
health
o avoiding costly and potentially harmful adverse effects associated with implementation
and use of health information systems
• Support employers by defining the standard for health informatics practice and highlighting the
types of skills AHIC diplomates can bring to an organization
• Provide guidance to future or emerging health informatics professionals on the education and
experiences that will prepare them for more advanced roles

Eligibility Requirements
There are two dimensions of AHIC eligibility – a degree in health informatics or a related field and
“qualifying” health informatics experience. The amount of required experience is determined by type of
degree.

“Qualifying” experience includes work that aligns with AHIC™ Outline of Exam Topics [Appendix A].
Qualifying experience may be gained prior to the completion of the qualifying graduate degree. Finally,
qualifying experience must have occurred within the past 6, 8, 10, or 12 years, depending on the eligibility
route. Table 1 summarizes AHIC Eligibility Criteria.

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Table 1: AHIC Eligibility Criteria

Qualifying Health
% Work Time in
Track Academic Degree Informatics
Health Informatics
Experience
Master’s or doctoral degree in health informatics or a
degree with a focus in informatics from an accredited 4 years within the
program, college, or university 50%-100%
past 6 years

1 Examples of qualifying degrees include (but are not

limited to) those associated with: Clinical informatics,
consumer health informatics, public health 6 years within the
20%-49%
informatics, clinical research informatics, or past 8 years
translational bioinformatics
Master’s or doctoral degree in a health informatics
related field from an accredited program, college, or 6 years within the
50%-100%
university past 8 years

2 Examples of qualifying degrees include (but are not

limited to): Dentistry, Nursing, Medicine, Nutrition, 8 years within the
Computer and Information Science, Pharmacy, Public 20%-49%
past 10 years
Health, Biomedical and Software Engineering, and
other health professions
Baccalaureate degree in health informatics or a
Baccalaureate degree in a health informatics related
8 years within the
3 field from an accredited program, college, or 50%-100%
past 10 years
university

Examples of qualifying degrees include (but are not

limited to): Dentistry, Nursing, Medicine, Nutrition,
10 years within the
Computer and Information Science, Pharmacy, Public 20%-49%
past 12 years
Health, Biomedical and Software Engineering, and
other health professions

Note: Individuals who do not work 100% in health informatics and whose other responsibilities comprise clinical or
public health practice will bring their health informatics knowledge and skills to their other roles, and their health
informatics work will be informed by their other roles. Therefore, there is a rational basis for using a prorated
approach for counting years of service for individuals who do not work 100% in health informatics.

Outside-the-USA Applicants
Applicants who reside, work, or were educated or trained outside-the-USA and who satisfy the other
eligibility criteria will be eligible for the AHIC certification program.

The AHIC exam is based on the scope of practice of health informatics professionals within the USA, having
been derived from the Heath Informatics Delineation of Practice that emerged from a survey of health
informatics professionals that included few outside-the-USA respondents. Thus, the exam will contain
items that are specific to health informatics practice within the USA, such as US law related to health
informatics.

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The exam fees for applicants residing outside-the-USA will be slightly higher than the fees for applicants
residing within the USA, to cover the higher costs of shipping certification recognition materials
(certificate hardcopy, etc.).

Steps to Certification
The following steps outline the process to apply, prepare for, and earn the ACHIP credential.

Step 1: Confirm your eligibility.

Review AHIC eligibility criteria to determine if you meet the eligibility requirements. AMIA offers
free eligibility reviews as part of the application process. The eligibility review request includes
information about your education and qualifying health informatics experience.

After submitting an eligibility review request, monitor your email for confirmation of eligibility or
requests for additional information about your education or experience

Please allow up to 30 business days for the eligibility check to be completed.

Step 2: Apply and pay examination fee.

Once your eligibility is confirmed, you will receive an email with instructions on completing the
AHIC application. While completing the certification application, applicants will document their
commitment to the AMIA Code of Professional and Ethical Conduct. After your application is
confirmed to be complete, you will receive a link to pay the examination fee.

Step 3: Monitor your email for an Authorization to Test (ATT) Notice.

Once the exam fee payment is received, eligible candidates receive an Authorization to Test (ATT)
Notice via email, which will include an Eligibility ID number and instructions on how to schedule
an exam appointment on the date and time of the candidate’s choosing (subject to availability at
the selected test center). Candidates have 6 months (180 days) from the date of the ATT Notice
to take the exam.

Step 4: Schedule the AHIC exam.

Candidates schedule the certification exam using the details provided in the ATT Notice.
Candidates should schedule in advance to obtain a preferred testing date and time, as exam
appointments are first-come, first-served.

Step 5: Prepare for the exam.

Taking a professional certification exam should be approached thoughtfully and with care. The
AHIC List of Suggested References aligns with the body of knowledge necessary for health
informatics professionals.

Step 6: Take and pass the AHIC exam.

Candidates receive exam results via email from the test delivery provider within a few hours of
completing the exam. Candidates who pass the exam subsequently receive an official certificate
(digital and hardcopy), digital badge, and (magnetic) lapel pin celebrating their success.
Candidates who do not pass the exam may retake it for a reduced, retake fee.

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The AHIC Application
The AHIC application is accessed online from the AMIA website. The application includes three primary
sections – education, experience, and agreement to follow the AMIA Code of Ethics. To reduce burden on
applicants, AMIA will accept unofficial documentation of graduation and the applicant’s attestation of
employment for determination of eligibility. Additional information may be requested if questions arise
during the application review. Further, as noted below, official transcripts and confirmation from
employers will be needed for applications selected for audit. AMIA membership is not required for
eligibility for the AHIC exam.

Please note: The name on the AHIC application must exactly match the name listed on your valid,
government issued ID. If a name change occurs after submitting an application, please provide the
supporting documentation to certification@[Link].

Application Audits
AMIA audits at least 10% of all AHIC applications. Applicants randomly selected for audit will be asked to
provide additional documentation in support of the application. This documentation may include an
official transcript for the qualifying degree, attestations to work experience from supervisors, and/or
other clarifying information.

Exam Accommodations
In compliance with the provisions of the US Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) and Title VII of the US
Civil Rights Act, as amended (42 USCG 2000e, et seq.), AMIA’s HICC provides reasonable and appropriate
accommodations to qualified candidates who supply appropriate documentation, to ensure that all
eligible candidates have the opportunity to take the AHIC certification exam on an equitable basis, in a
manner that fairly assesses each candidate’s competency on an even playing field with all other eligible
candidates. The HICC follows the Principles of Fairness set forth by the Institute for Credentialing
Excellence.

An applicant requesting special accommodations must do so in writing by completing the Request for
Special Accommodations Form. The request must include BOTH proper documentation from a licensed
professional or certified specialist who diagnosed the condition (Documentation of Disability-Related
Needs Form) AND the specific accommodation(s) being requested. These forms can be downloaded as
part of the application process.

Accommodations, if approved, will be provided at no additional charge. AMIA certification staff will review
the request and provide a response in writing to the applicant along with the eligibility determination. If
the applicant has been deemed eligible, the Authorization to Test (ATT) notice will include the
accommodations that have been approved.

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All special accommodation forms and related documentation are confidential and will not be released to
any parties outside of AMIA staff, contractors and certification partners, and relevant volunteer leaders
(e.g., HICC or Appeals Committee members) without the written consent of the applicant. See Appendix
B for further details and the Special Accommodations Form.

Preparing for the Exam

The AHIC certification exam is based on the AHIC Outline of Exam Topics, which is rationally based on the
results of the Health Informatics Practice Analysis Study performed by AMIA and facilitated by ACT ProExam
in 2019.

Individuals come to the health informatics field in a variety of ways (e.g., from a formal informatics
education, from a clinical or public health background, from a computer science background), therefore
assessing one’s personal experience in and knowledge of the health informatics field should be the first
step in preparing for the exam.

AMIA suggests that candidates review the AHIC Outline of Exam Topics, which helps identify the skill
areas in which to concentrate one’s studies. Once gaps are identified, there are several ways to improve
knowledge and skills:

• Identify someone whose job role may be different but covers the topical areas in which you need
to improve and ask to shadow this professional.
• AMIA (and other related organizations) offers online and in-person training courses that may
assist in filling your knowledge gaps.
• Form a study group with other AMIA members or colleagues from your organization.
• Identify a mentor in the field who is willing to guide your preparation for the exam.

Please Note: The AMIA Health Informatics Certification Commission does not approve, endorse, or require
for eligibility use of any specific exam preparation products.

The AHIC Exam

The AHIC exam is a multiple-choice exam consisting of 150 items, each of which consists of a stem
(question) and three answer options. All 150 exam items are scored. There is no negative scoring
(incorrect answer options are worth zero points, rather than detracting from the candidate’s exam
score—so guessing when uncertain of the correct answer is better than leaving an answer blank).

Candidates have 4 hours to complete the exam. Exam results are emailed from the test delivery provider
to the candidate (typically within several hours of exam completion), along with an overview of the
candidate’s performance in each of the exam’s top-level domains. For exam security purposes, candidates
will not be informed of which specific exam items were answered correctly or incorrectly, and scores are
reported using a scaled score format rather than a raw score format.

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Scheduling the Exam
Candidates can schedule an exam appointment as soon as the ATT notice has been received. The exams
are administered at secure, computer-based test centers around the world through our test delivery
partner, Pearson Vue. To ensure exam security, there are multiple, equated exam forms, the items within
each exam form are presented to each candidate in random order, and the test centers operate under
strict security protocols. For a full list of test center locations and additional information about testing,
please visit [Link].

Exam Eligibility Extensions

If a candidate is unable to test during the initial 180-day exam eligibility period, the candidate may request
a one‐time exam eligibility extension for a $150 fee.
Only ONE exam eligibility extension may be requested by a candidate; second requests will not be granted.
The extension request can be made at any time between the date of the candidate’s ATT notice and the
last day of the exam eligibility period. The candidate must request an extension in writing via email to
certification@[Link]. The candidate must cancel any previously scheduled exam appointments directly
with the exam delivery provider to take advantage of this option, and all rescheduling or cancellation
fees apply.

Extensions of exam eligibility and associated fees are non-transferrable.

Failure to Schedule an Exam Appointment

If a candidate does not schedule an appointment for, or take the exam during, the original 180-day exam
eligibility period for which he or she was approved, and the candidate does not request an extension
before the last date of the original eligibility period for which he or she was approved, the candidate
forfeits the exam fee in its entirety.

Candidates who subsequently wish to re-apply will need to submit a new application and pay the then-
current fees to continue their pursuit of certification. Such re-applications will be subject to all eligibility
criteria in effect at the time of the new application.

Cancelling or Rescheduling an Exam

Once deemed eligible, candidates have 6 months (180 days) to take and pass the exam. Candidates may
reschedule their exam 5 days or more before their scheduled exam date without paying additional fees.

It is mandatory that candidates who need to cancel or reschedule their exam FIRST make those
arrangements directly with the exam delivery provider (via the contact information provided in the ATT
notice) and THEN notify AMIA of the change via email to certification@[Link]. Only the candidate may
request a cancellation, regardless of whether the exam fee was paid by the candidate or another party.

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The exam delivery provider is unable to honor cancellation or rescheduling requests received fewer than
five (5) days prior to a scheduled exam appointment. Exams cancelled or rescheduled fewer than five (5)
days before the scheduled exam appointment result in the candidate forfeiting all fees; if there is still time
within the exam eligibility period, the candidate may pay the retake fee to reschedule the exam.

Failure to Appear for a Scheduled Exam

If a candidate fails to appear for the scheduled exam appointment, the candidate forfeits all fees. If a
candidate arrives late for a scheduled exam appointment, admission to the test is at the discretion of the
Test Center staff. Candidates arriving late may not be allowed to test, in which case all fees will be
forfeited, and the candidate will need to pay the retake fee to reschedule the appointment.

Refunds will not be given to candidates who fail to appear or arrive late for their exam appointments for
any reason.

Exigent Circumstances
If a candidate is unable to keep an exam appointment due to an exigent circumstance that arises within
the five (5) days prior to the scheduled exam appointment, the candidate is required to submit a formal
request to reschedule due to exigent circumstances, accompanied by supporting official documentation,
by email to certification@[Link] in order to avoid forfeiting fees. This information must be received by
the AMIA Certification Department within seven (7) calendar days after the candidate’s scheduled exam
appointment. The following exigent circumstances will be considered if appropriately supported by official
documentation:

• Emergency room visit or hospitalization

• Severe medical condition requiring non-elective hospitalization (of the candidate or the
candidate’s spouse, child or other legal dependent, parent, grandparent, or sibling)
• Death of an immediate family member (the candidate’s spouse, child or other legal dependent,
parent, grandparent, or sibling)
• Jury duty
• Active military duty

In summary: Candidates who do not schedule and take an exam—and fail to request an extension—within
the 180-day exam eligibility period, and candidates who cancel within five (5) days of the scheduled exam
appointment or fail to show up on time for a scheduled exam appointment—and do not provide sufficient
official documentation of an acceptable exigent circumstance (at the sole discretion and interpretation of
AMIA’s certification department staff)–will forfeit all fees.

What to Expect on Exam Day

Please arrive at the test center 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. This will give you
adequate time to complete the necessary sign-in procedures. If you arrive more than 15 minutes late for

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your appointment, you may be refused admission, and the exam fees will be forfeited.

You will be required to present one form of original (no photocopies), currently valid (unexpired),
government-issued ID that includes your name, photograph, and signature. The first and last name that
you used to register must match exactly the first and last name on the ID that is presented on test day; if
there is a difference between your first and last name as they appear on your ATT Notice and as they
appear on the ID that you will present on test day, please contact the AMIA Certification Department
immediately at certification@[Link].

If your name on your ID does not EXACTLY match the name provided in your exam application, you will
not be allowed to test, will be considered a no-show and will forfeit all fees, and will have to pay the
retake fee to reschedule your exam.

All IDs required must be issued by the country in which you are testing; alternatively, if you do not have a
qualifying ID issued from the country in which you are testing, an International Travel Passport from your
country of citizenship is required. If possible, please bring a second government identification (that
matches the same requirements as the primary ID) to your exam appointment, in case there is an issue
with your primary identification.

Test Center Security

Please be prepared for a high-security test delivery environment. This means all personal items must be
locked in a locker for exam security purposes, so please limit what you bring to the test center. Security
procedures are strict and are designed to minimize the risk of cheating and protect the intellectual
property of exams being administered.

Candidates will need to empty their pockets, remove all outerwear and bulky clothing that might conceal
illicit items, register fingerprints, and be scanned with a metal detector or other body-scanning or
detection devices, at the discretion of the test center staff.

Candidates will not be permitted to bring into the exam room any reference materials, notes, dictionaries,
language translation dictionaries or devices, cellular telephones or smartphones, PDAs, computers or
tablets, calculators, cameras, video cameras, scanners, digital watches or smart watches, or other
electronic or communications devices, weapons of any kind, outerwear (coats, etc.), jewelry (other than
wedding and engagement rings), or handbags. We do suggest dressing in layers to allow for variations in
room temperature. No food or drink will be allowed in the test center (unless authorized in writing by
AMIA in advance, in accordance with the Exam Accommodations procedures).

For additional details on the security procedures at the exam delivery provider’s test centers, please visit
[Link].

Dismissal from the Testing Center

The proctor may dismiss you from the exam for any of these reasons:

• Unauthorized admission to the exam

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• Creating a disturbance or being abusive or otherwise uncooperative
• Bringing unauthorized electronic devices including cellular/smart phones, other handheld
computers, calculators, pagers, alarms, and other signaling or recording devices
• Bringing notes or other resources into the testing center
• Attempting to record test questions or make notes
• Attempting to take the exam for someone else
• Giving or receiving help or being suspected of doing so
• Leaving the test center during the exam administration

If you are dismissed for any of these violations, your exam score will be voided, and your fees will not be
refunded. Evidence of misconduct will be reviewed by the HICC Discipline Committee to determine
whether you will be allowed to reapply for the exam. If a re-exam is granted, a complete application and
fee are required to reapply.

Misuse/Disclosure of Exam Content

Any individual who removes or attempts to remove materials from the testing center, or who receives,
discusses, discloses, reproduces, distributes, displays or otherwise misuses a test question or any part of
a test question from a certification exam by written, electronic, oral or other form of communication,
including but not limited to emailing, copying or printing of electronic files and reconstruction through
memorization and/or dictation, will be subject to legal action and monetary damages.

Any candidate or diplomate who engages in such improper behavior may also face denial or revocation
of eligibility for certification or denial or revocation of certification.

Exam Scores
One point is granted for each correct answer. There is no penalty assessed for an incorrect answer; points
are scored only for correct answers.

The “cut score” (passing point) for the examination has been set according to accepted practices for
standardized testing. The modified Angoff method was utilized to set the exam’s cut score. This is a
common testing and measurement technique, through which a panel of subject-matter experts determine
the difficulty of each exam item and recommend the cut score based on the expected performance of a
minimally qualified candidate. The HICC Cut Score Task Force performed this type of formal cut score study
and recommended the exam’s cut score, which was subsequently considered and recommended by the
HICC Exam Committee, and then was considered and approved (as originally recommended by the Cut
Score Task Force of subject-matter experts) by the HICC.

There are 150 multiple-choice questions on the AHIC exam, all of which are scored. Exam scores are
reported to candidates as scaled scores ranging from 0 to 800 (rather than as raw scores). Candidates
must achieve a scaled score of 600 or higher to pass the AHIC™ exam.

To support ongoing professional growth and help direct continued studies, score reports provide a
dashboard summary of the candidate’s performance in each of the major content areas of the exam—but

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for exam security purposes, the score reports will not indicate which specific exam questions the
candidate answered correctly or incorrectly.

Confidentiality and Disclosure Policy

AMIA understands that security and protection of privacy are necessary in a credentialing process. The
utmost care is taken to ensure all applicant, candidate, and diplomate documentation, including
application status and examination scores, remains confidential. No information about candidate files is
shared with individuals or organizations outside of AMIA staff, AMIA certification and test delivery and
digital badging contractors, or HICC or Appeals Committee members without express written permission.

The certification application stipulates that data provided by or obtained from an applicant may be used
for research purposes, and submission of the application authorizes such use of the data. The use of
applicant, candidate, diplomate, or past diplomate data for any research project, study, or activity would
have prior approval from the HICC or AMIA Board of Directors.

Individual examination score report data is retained in a candidate’s (or diplomate’s or past diplomate’s)
file. Access to the individual-specific information in the file is restricted to members of the HICC,
authorized AMIA staff and certification contractors, and AMIA research and evaluation consultants,
except where the individual provides a written request for distribution of information to another agency,
individual, or organization. Aggregate (de-individualized) data may be used by AMIA for any purpose
without written permission of each candidate / diplomate / past diplomate.

Names, geographic locations, organization names, and email addresses of individuals who have earned
the AHIC certification and whose certification is currently active (and who have opted in through or after
the certification application process) shall be available to the public via the online Certification Directory,
through AMIA’s digital badging provider, or through inquiry to AMIA staff or certification contractors. This
publicly available information shall be limited to confirming an individual is “currently certified” or
individual is “not certified”. The Directory contains the most recent employer, email address, and location
listed in the diplomate’s AMIA website user profile.

Candidates’, diplomates’, and past diplomates’ contact information (other than what is mentioned above)
is not published by AMIA. Any further details regarding an individual’s certification status are only released
upon receipt of a release signed by the diplomate about whom information is being sought. Upon receipt
of the signed release, AMIA may release the following information for diplomates whose ACHIP credential
is currently active:

• Name of the individual

• Name of the designation
• Initial certification date
• Certification expiration date

Confidential information that will not be released, even if a signed release is provided, includes: Names
of candidates for certification who have not yet passed the exam; names of individuals who were not
successful on the examination; information regarding past diplomates whose ACHIP credential has
expired; and individual exam scores.

AHIC™ Certification Guide, Effective April 2021, Rev. 2025 10 15 Page 17 of 29

If AMIA receives a lawful subpoena or court order to release applicant, candidate, diplomate, or past
diplomate information, it will comply with that order, regardless of candidate release or general policy to
the contrary. In other words, compliance with applicable law supersedes AMIA policy.

If formal disciplinary action is taken by the AMIA HICC against an applicant, candidate, diplomate, or past
diplomate (such as suspension or revocation of the credential), that disciplinary action may be made
public, at the discretion of the AMIA HICC.

Re‐Examination
Candidates who do not achieve a passing score are permitted to retake the exam. The exam may be retaken
as many times as necessary during a two-year period.

Candidates’ certification eligibility determination remains valid for a two-year period following the date of
the original ATT notice. If you do not pass the exam successfully within the two-year period, you must re-
apply as a new applicant (and pay the then-applicable exam fee, rather than the retake fee). All required
documentation will need to be submitted and eligibility determined.

Exam Retake Fees (AMIA Member or nonmember): USD 503 per retake

Official Notice of Certification

Within 15 business days after achieving a passing score on the exam, candidates receive official notice via
email of having successfully earned certification as an AMIA Certified Health Informatics Professional
(ACHIP). Following this notification, diplomates may add the ACHIP designation to their email signatures,
social media, and business cards.

After you receive notice of successfully passing the exam, AMIA will provide you with a variety of materials
to help you promote your certified status. This includes:

• A hardcopy certificate noting your achievement;

• A digital copy (PDF) of your certificate;
• A digital badge for use across social media platforms or to embed in your email signature;
• A sample press release to help make sure your colleagues and community know of your
achievement;
• The opportunity for AMIA to notify your employer of your achievement;
• An ACHIP lapel pin;
• Inclusion in the ACHIP Directory on the AMIA website.

Please note: Use of the ACHIP™ certification mark, logo, spelled-out words (“AMIA Certified Health
Informatics Professional”), or digital badge must be in accordance with the Use of the ACHIP™ Certification
Mark Policy, found at the end of this Candidate Guide.

AHIC™ Certification Guide, Effective April 2021, Rev. 2025 10 15 Page 18 of 29

Recertification Requirements
Maintaining AHICTM requires diplomates (i.e., AMIA Certified Health Informatics ProfessionalsTM or
ACHIPsTM) demonstrate ongoing commitment to enhancing their health informatics competence.
Diplomates must successfully complete a recertification process every four years. ACHIP status and all
entitlements therein, including the use of the designator of ACHIP, shall cease upon failure to complete
the recertification process within established deadlines.

To maintain AHIC, ACHIPs must meet requirements in two areas:

1. Active Practice
2. Professional Development

ACTIVE PRACTICE

Active Practice is comprised of sustained effort in one or more of the following roles:

• performing, directing, or managing health informatics activities, tasks or processes

• teaching health informatics (HI)
• conducting health informatics research

The Active Practice section of the Recertification Application requires documentation of HI employment
that averages at least 20% of the recertification period, and is to include:

• job title(s)
• job description(s): responsibilities and a detailed description of duties as types
of functions performed
• dates of position(s)
• percent effort devoted to informatics in each position

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Professional Development encompasses activities that enable an ACHIP to maintain and expand HI
knowledge and skills. The Health Informatics Certification Commission (HICC) recognizes two categories
of qualifying professional development activities and assigns Professional Development Units (PDUs) to
these activities as outlined in the tables below.

Category 1: health informatics coursework/continuing education activities that align with the
AHIC Exam Outline

Category 2: health informatics scholarly activities/professional service, beyond the scope of the
diplomate’s primary work role, that advance or serve the field and provide opportunities to
acquire new knowledge and skills for HI practice

ACHIPs must earn 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs) during the 4-year recertification period.
ACHIPs are encouraged to build a balanced portfolio of recertification activities by

• accruing credits in both categories; and

AHIC™ Certification Guide, Effective April 2021, Rev. 2025 10 15 Page 19 of 29

 • ensuring that educational experiences address multiple areas of the AHIC Exam Outline.

To meet the intent of ongoing education in this rapidly evolving field, it is strongly recommended that
PDUs be earned throughout the 4-year Recertification Cycle.

Activities that are part of normal job duties are not considered professional development activities; for
example, individuals whose health informatics responsibilities include training other staff on the use of an
organization’s electronic health record system may not claim the time spent doing so as a professional
development activity. Similarly, paid faculty teaching a course may not claim that time as a professional
development activity. Activities that contribute to the advancement of the field such as the publication
or presentation of research results, peer review, or service on informatics-related organizations qualify
for AHIC professional development.

The Recertification Application requires diplomates provide detailed documentation of the activity,
including type (i.e., webinar, CE class, article review, service on national committee, etc.), title, date, and
description. Diplomates must also identify which domain from the AHIC Exam Outline most closely relates
to the activity.

Diplomates should retain supporting documentation such as transcripts, certificates, receipts, etc. in the
event the application is selected for an audit.

As an alternative to accruing 60 PDUs during the 4-year certification period, diplomates may retake and
pass the AHIC exam within the last year (365 days) the certification is valid as a way of demonstrating they
have maintained health informatics competence.

CATEGORY 1: Health Informatics Coursework/Continuing Education Activities

Activity PDUs
1.1 Completion of university graduate courses that offer academic credits, 5 / course credit
including AMIA 10x10 Virtual Informatics Education hour earned
1.2 Audited university graduate courses 3 / course credit
hour completed

1.3 Continuing education activities such as sessions at informatics scientific 1 / contact hour
meetings and conferences, webinars, or other formal educational
opportunities associated with an educational institution or recognized
professional association, including NLM, HL-7, SNOMED, etc.

Note: Training or educational activities that focus solely on vendor specific

content or intended as a “sales pitch” do not qualify for AHIC professional
development. If a vendor-organized educational activity offers continuing
education credit, the activity will qualify for AHIC professional
development.

Recertification Application Documentation Required: Title of course, program, or conference

and session title(s); dates; sponsoring organization; credits, if applicable.

AHIC™ Certification Guide, Effective April 2021, Rev. 2025 10 15 Page 20 of 29

 Audit: If a recertification application is selected for an audit, the diplomate will be required to
submit supporting documents such as transcripts or receipts.

CATEGORY 2: Health Informatics Scholarship/Professional Service

Activity PDUs

2.1 Development and presentation of original work in the field of health informatics

2.1.1 Speaker at a conference or educational program 1 / 20 minutes of

podium time

2.1.2 Panel moderator or participant at a conference or educational 1 / 60 minutes of

program podium time

2.1.3 Participant in demonstrations, connect-a-thons, hack-a-thons, and 1 / 20 minutes of

showcases demonstration time

2.1.4 Guest lecturer for a college / university class 1 / 20 minutes of

podium time

2.1.5 Unpaid faculty for HI course at an accredited college or university 5 / credit hour
offered by the
course

2.1.6 Author or co-author of content for e-learning or other media 1 / 20 minutes of

presentations presentation time

2.2 Development and publication of original work in the field of health informatics

2.2.1 Author or co-author of book 20 / book

2.2.2 Editor or co-editor of book 10 / book

2.2.3 Author or co-author of book chapter 4 / chapter

2.2.4 Author or co-author of article published in peer-reviewed journal 4 / article

2.2.5 Contributing author of an article published in peer-reviewed journal 2 / article

2.2.6 Article published in professional newsletter, white paper, report, 1 / article

guideline, working paper, government document, evaluation, op-ed,
etc.

2.2.7 First author for a poster presentation at a national or international 2 / poster

conference

2.2.8 Contributing author for a poster presentation at a national or 1 / poster

international conference

AHIC™ Certification Guide, Effective April 2021, Rev. 2025 10 15 Page 21 of 29

2.2.9 Editor-in-chief, editor, or associate editor of a peer-reviewed journal 15 / year
(If serving in these roles, no credits may be claimed for review of
articles for the journal)

2.2.10 Special issue or guest editor of a peer-reviewed journal (If serving in 5 / issue
these roles, no credits may be claimed for review of articles for the
journal)

2.3 Peer review in the field of health informatics

2.3.1 Peer-reviewed journal Editorial Board or Editorial Advisory member 3 / year

2.3.2 Peer reviewer of a submitted journal article 1 / article reviewed

2.3.3 Invited reviewer of grant proposal or report 2 / proposal

reviewed

(Max: 16 credits
over the 4-year
recertification
cycle)

2.3.4 Peer reviewer for professional society conference submissions 1/ 4 submissions

reviewed

2.4 Professional service in the field of health informatics

2.4.1 Elected or appointed position of a recognized national or 10 / year

international HI organization (non-governmental)

2.4.2 Elected or appointed position of a recognized regional or local HI 5 / year

organization or a specialty section of an HI-related organization (non-
governmental)

2.4.3 Elected or appointed member of a committee for a recognized HI 3 / year

professional organization (non-governmental)

2.4.2 Volunteer member of a working group or committee for a recognized 1 / year

HI professional organization (non-governmental)

2.4.5 Appointed member of a federal or state government HI advisory 8 / year

group or committee

2.4.6 Volunteer consultant (i.e., officially recognized volunteer subject 1/ 16 hours of

matter expert contributing to completing scope) for NIH or other service
grant

2.4.7 Formal preceptor for practicum that is documented via an agreement 3 /student

AHIC™ Certification Guide, Effective April 2021, Rev. 2025 10 15 Page 22 of 29

 2.4.8 AHIC™ certification exam Item Writer 1 / 5 submitted
draft exam items

(Max: 10 credits
over the 4-year
recertification
cycle)

2.4.9 AHIC™ Ambassador 1 / year

Recertification Application Documentation Required: Appropriate to PDUs for activity being

claimed (e.g., title, dates, role, time involved, organization).

Audit: If a recertification application is selected for an audit, the diplomate will be required
to submit supporting documents such as: a copy of presentation slides, abstract, letter
inviting the diplomate to speak, or evidence demonstrating that the diplomate presented; a
copy of the claimed publication; a letter attesting to the claimed service, with a description
of how this service demonstrates the diplomate’s enhancement of HI knowledge, skills, or
abilities.

Recertification Schedule
There will be two recertification application windows each year.

Individuals who choose to recertify via professional development units (PDUs) must submit the
recertification application prior to the end of their certification period per the schedule below.

Individuals recertifying via examination must take and pass the AHIC examination prior to the end of
their recertification period per the schedule below.

During the recertification application window, ACHIPs will use the Recertification Portal to complete the
Recertification Application.

ACHIPs are considered “provisionally recertified” upon submission of the Recertification Application and
payment of the Recertification Fee. ACHIPs will be notified when their Recertification Application has
been verified and their new certification period begins.

Recertify by PDU
Current Recertification Recertification New Certification
Certification Application Application Due Period Begins*
Expiration Date Window Opens Date
January 1 to July January 15 June 1 July 30
30
August 1 to August 1 December 1 January 30 (the
December 31 following year)
*
Pending staff confirmation of Recertification Application

AHIC™ Certification Guide, Effective April 2021, Rev. 2025 10 15 Page 23 of 29

Recertify by Exam
Current Recertification Authorization to Deadline to Take New Certification
Certification Application Test Issued and Pass AHIC Period Begins**
Expiration Date Window Opens Following Exam
Submission of
Application*
January 1 to July January 15 Within 15 business July 15 July 30
30 days
August 1 to January 15 Within 15 business December 15 January 30 (the
December 31 days following year)
*
Pending staff confirmation of Recertification Application
**Pending passing the AHIC Examination

Alternatives to Recertification
Inactive Status

The HICC recognizes that in some instances, active practice in health informatics may not be possible
due to personal, professional, or economic factors. Inactive status is available for a total of up to two (2)
years (at any one time or across multiple instances during a single recertification period). To apply for
inactive status, diplomates must complete an ACHIP Inactive Status Request and pay the USD 99
inactive-status fee. Inactive status applications must be received prior to the end of the recertification
period for the request to be honored. Diplomates who stop working in health informatics and wish to
keep their ACHIP designation should apply for inactive status immediately to pause the Active Practice
“clock”; once approved, Inactive Status is effective as of the date indicated on the application.

Diplomates may reactivate the status of their ACHIP credential (unpausing the Active Practice clock) at
any time up to two (2) years after having applied for inactive status, by completing an ACHIP
Reactivation Request. Upon reactivation, the date for recertification will be updated to reflect the
length of the inactive status period (e.g., inactive for 6 months, clock extended 6 months). After 2 years,
inactive status automatically ends, and the Active Practice clock resumes.

Health Informatics Professional Emeritus Certificate™ (HIPEC™)

Diplomates who are no longer actively working in health informatics and intend not to return to work in
the field may exchange their ACHIP credential (ACHIP-a credential with recertification requirements) for
a Health Informatics Professional Emeritus Certificate™ (HIPEC™-a certificate with no recertification
requirements), by paying a one-time fee of USD 998 (equal to two cycles of recertification fees).

Former AHIC diplomates who have exchanged their ACHIP credential for the HIPEC certificate may not
continue to use the ACHIP designation or certification mark(s). If an individual exchanges the ACHIP
credential for a HIPEC certificate, then returns to work in the health informatics field and wishes to earn
the ACHIP credential again, that individual would need to

1. submit a new AHIC application and exam fee;

2. meet the then-current eligibility requirements; and
3. pass the then-current AHIC exam to re-earn the ACHIP designation.

AHIC™ Certification Guide, Effective April 2021, Rev. 2025 10 15 Page 24 of 29

AHIC Fees
Current AHIC exam and recertification fees are published on the AHIC website.

All fees are non-refundable and non-transferrable under any circumstances. Please refer to relevant
sections of this guide for additional information.

AHIC Applicant, Candidates, and Diplomate Responsibilities

• Applicants attest to their commitment to the AMIA Code of Ethics as part of the application
process.

• Applicants, candidates, and diplomates are responsible for updating their online profiles and
notifying AMIA of changes to their contact information. Failure to keep AMIA informed of current
contact information (including but not limited to email address) may result in non-receipt of
important information such as application status, exam results, or recertification information.

• Certification expires automatically at the end of each four (4)-year certification period. It is the
diplomate’s responsibility to renew his or her certification before it expires—even if
recertification notices are not received by the diplomate.

• Recertification is required for continued use of the AMIA Certified Health Informatics
Professional™ (ACHIP™) credential and its associated certification marks (logo, spelled-out title,
and acronym). Diplomates who allow their certification to expire (or from whom the certification
is suspended or revoked) may not represent themselves as being certified as an ACHIP™.

Appeals Process
The HICC makes every attempt to make fair and accurate decisions based on the information provided by
applicants, candidates, and diplomates. An appeals procedure is available to those who wish to contest
any adverse decision related to his or her initial certification eligibility, exam accommodations, exam
exigent circumstances, or recertification.

The HICC Appeals Committee will review appeals of adverse certification decisions from ACHIP certified
individuals (“diplomates”), individuals whose ACHIP credential has expired (“past diplomates”), applicants
for AHIC certification (“applicants”), and applicants who have been deemed eligible but have not yet
passed the AHIC examination (“candidates”). Parties other than those listed here have no standing to file
an appeal of an adverse certification decision.

Candidates are permitted to appeal an adverse certification decision on the grounds that AMIA
certification staff or the HICC did not properly apply published certification eligibility criteria or that the
decision was based on a factual error that affected the outcome. Adverse certification decisions include:
Denial of eligibility for initial certification, denial of exam accommodations, rejection of claimed exigent

AHIC™ Certification Guide, Effective April 2021, Rev. 2025 10 15 Page 25 of 29

circumstances as an excuse for failing to appear for a scheduled exam appointment, and denial of
recertification. Sanctions imposed by the HICC’s Discipline Committee have a separate appeals policy and
procedure, as described in the Complaints and Discipline section of this Certification Guide.

No appeal may be taken from an adverse decision based on an individual’s incomplete application or
receipt of a failing score on an AHIC examination, absent extraordinary circumstances, as determined
solely by the HICC.

Individuals cannot appeal (1) the AHIC exam’s cut (passing) score or actions taken in setting the cut score;
(2) the AHIC program’s eligibility criteria; (3) AHIC exam items; or (4) AHIC exam content validity.

The forms, content, scaled score conversion table, answer keys, and results of AHIC examinations are
privileged, confidential, trade secret, and proprietary information. Due to the importance of exam security
and intellectual property protection, none of that information will be disclosed or made available for
review by candidates or by any other party other than AMIA certification staff and contractors, the HICC
(and subordinate committee) members, and AMIA’s test development and delivery vendor(s).

Upon receipt of the notice of an adverse decision, the applicant, candidate, diplomate, or past diplomate
has the right to submit a written appeal to the HICC Appeals Committee within fifteen (15) calendar days
after the date the notice of the adverse decision was issued by AMIA, by emailing certification@[Link].
Any individual who does not file an appeal within the required time limit shall permanently waive the right
to appeal.

In the written appeal, the appellant shall detail the nature of the request for appeal, the specific facts and
circumstances supporting the request, and all reasons why the action or decision should be changed or
modified. The appellant has the burden of producing any documentation necessary to support the appeal.
The applicant shall bear the burden of proving that the adverse decision was based on AMIA certification
staff or the HICC improperly applying published certification eligibility criteria or that the adverse decision
was based on a factual error that affected the outcome.

Appellants shall receive notification of the results of the appeal within fifteen (15) business days after
AMIA receives the written appeal. Should the appellant not be satisfied with the decision rendered by the
HICC Appeals Committee, the candidate may submit a secondary, written appeal to the HICC itself within
fourteen (14) calendar days of the date of the initial appeals decision notice, by emailing
certification@[Link]. Any individual who does not file a secondary appeal within the required time limit
shall permanently waive the right to appeal.

The HICC will review the secondary appeal and accompanying documentation and will make a de novo
determination.

Secondary appellants will be notified of the HICC decision within forty-five (45) business days after AMIA
receives the written secondary appeal. The HICC decision is final and cannot be further appealed. The full
policy and procedure guide for the Appeals and Disciplinary Committee can be viewed on the AMIA
website.

Send all appeals to certification@[Link].

AHIC™ Certification Guide, Effective April 2021, Rev. 2025 10 15 Page 26 of 29

Records Retention Policy
AMIA institutes best practices with regards to retention, security, and disposal of paper and electronic
records received from applicants and diplomates. These practices are reviewed regularly and may be
modified at any time by AMIA at its sole discretion for compliance with applicable local, state, and federal
laws, including EU GDPR.

Certification records are considered confidential information, and include but are not limited to academic
transcripts, continuing education documents, education records (FERPA), financial data, personally
identifiable information (PII) / unique identifiers as defined by HIPAA, and personal data as defined by EU
GDPR. Data from paper records may be entered into the AMIA database (the repository for all pertinent
and associated information) and other management systems, documents, spreadsheets, and files. This
information becomes a permanent electronic record and will be used by AMIA for purposes of managing
the applicant’s or diplomate’s (or past diplomate’s) certification-related activity and to market AMIA
products and services (including but not limited to education, communities, career centers / job boards,
directories, conferences and events, and recertification) to the individual whose data is being stored by
AMIA.

All documents submitted for application, initial certification, or recertification become the property of
AMIA. Individuals should retain copies of their records for personal use. AMIA is under no obligation to
return or issue copies of these documents for future use by an applicant, diplomate, or past diplomate.
Failure to submit required documentation or fees will delay the review and approval of an application for
initial certification or recertification.

Policy on Use of the Certification Mark

This policy is applicable to all individuals certified by AMIA.

An individual who applies to the AMIA Health Informatics Certification™ (AHIC™) program, meets the
eligibility requirements of the AHIC™ program, and passes the AHIC™ exam is certified by AMIA as an
AMIA Certified Health Informatics Professional™ (ACHIP™).

The ACHIP™ designation is a certification mark (trademark) in the United States of America, and its use is
protected by applicable trademark law in the USA and in other countries and jurisdictions.

AMIA and its HICC grant limited permission to individuals who have satisfied all of the AHIC program
eligibility criteria, passed the AHIC exam, received notification by AMIA that they have successfully earned
the certification and may use the ACHIP designation, and maintained the certification in compliance with
the recertification requirements.

This limited permission allows only individuals whose certification is currently in good standing (not
expired, exchanged for the HIPEC™ certificate, suspended, or revoked) to use the designation as part of
the diplomate’s professional title. Diplomates who are on official “inactive status” may continue to use
the ACHIP™ designation until the expiration date of their certification.

Proper uses of the designation include:

AHIC™ Certification Guide, Effective April 2021, Rev. 2025 10 15 Page 27 of 29

• Signatures
• Business cards
• Letterhead
• Directory listings
• Social media profiles
• Marketing materials (e.g., press releases, ads, etc.)

Acceptable examples:
Jane J. Torres, ACHIP™
Jane D. Jones, ACHIP™, Ed.D.
Jordan Doe, Ph.D., ACHIP™

Use of the ACHIP™ designation by individuals whose certification is not currently in good standing (e.g.,
have not been granted certification by AMIA, have failed to properly maintain certification (periodically
recertify), or have had the certification suspended or revoked) is strictly prohibited. The AHIC program
certifies individuals, rather than accrediting organizations, so it is prohibited for an organization to
describe itself (i.e., the organization) as ACHIP certified—even if that organization employs individuals
who are ACHIP diplomates. Improper use of the designation or certification mark (trademark) may result
in disciplinary, civil legal, or criminal legal action.

All AHIC applicants, candidates, and current diplomates have an affirmative responsibility to report in a
timely manner any misuse, unauthorized use, or other violation of this Policy to AMIA via email to
certification@[Link]. This reporting responsibility includes any circumstance in which the ACHIP™
certification mark is used by an individual who is not an ACHIP diplomate in good standing (or is used by
any entity other than an individual), and where the certification mark is used improperly by an ACHIP
diplomate. Suspected improper use of the ACHIP™ designation should be reported via email to the AMIA
Certification Department at certification@[Link].

A report of improper use must include a copy of the materials showing the misuse (e.g., a copy of a CV,
email signature line, business card, online profile, etc.). The complainant must include his or her name
and contact details when lodging a complaint, and the complainant’s identity will likely be disclosed to
the individual alleged to be misusing the certification mark, within the context of a due process resolution
of the complaint.

Within ten (10) business days after receipt of a report of suspected misuse, AMIA certification staff will
verify the current certification status of the individual reported to have been misusing the designation. If
the individual’s AMIA certification is currently active and in good standing, and the certification mark is
not being misused, AMIA certification staff will notify the complainant of that.

If the individual purportedly misusing the designation is not currently certified in good standing, AMIA
certification staff shall contact the individual alleged to be misusing the certification mark, in writing via
any traceable method. The notice shall request that the respondent forward any evidence of current
certification (copy of certificate, or award of certification letter) to AMIA’s certification staff within 15
business days after the date of the notification. The respondent may also reply acknowledging the
improper use, with evidence that corrective action has been taken (e.g., removal of the designation from
business cards, website, CV, etc.) or evidence that an application has been submitted to achieve the

AHIC™ Certification Guide, Effective April 2021, Rev. 2025 10 15 Page 28 of 29

certification.

If no response is received within the stipulated timeframe, AMIA certification staff shall then request legal
counsel to send a cease-and-desist letter to the individual, demanding a response and applicable
mandatory corrective action.

AHIC™ Certification Guide, Effective April 2021, Rev. 2025 10 15 Page 29 of 29