8 Health Informatics Certifications for Upskilling in 2025
Health informatics certifications are for professionals in the healthcare and IT sectors looking to advance their skills, expand their career opportunities, and demonstrate their expertise in managing healthcare data and technology.
I've summarized the best health informatics certifications with notes on who they’re ideal for and what makes each one stand out, helping you choose the right certification for the next step in your career.
Best Health Informatics Certifications Shortlist
- Certified Health Informatics Systems Professional (CHISP) - Best for entry-level health IT professionals
- Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS) - Best for experienced healthcare IT professionals
- AMIA Health Informatics Certification (AHIC) - Best for multidisciplinary health informatics roles
- Certified Health Data Analyst (CHDA) - Best for data analysis in healthcare
- Clinical Informatics Subspecialty - Best for physicians specializing in informatics
- Certified Health IT Professional (CHITP) - Best for health IT project managers
- Informatics Nursing Certification (NI-BC™) - Best for nurses integrating IT in clinical practice
- Certified Imaging Informatics Professional (CIIP) - Best for imaging professionals and radiologists
Overview of the Best Health Informatics Certifications
Below are my detailed summaries of the best health informatics certifications on my shortlist.
1. Certified Health Informatics Systems Professional (CHISP) - Best for entry-level health IT professionals
The Certified Health Informatics Systems Professional (CHISP) certification signifies expertise in health IT, focusing on the integration of technology within healthcare settings, including electronic health records (EHRs) and electronic medical records (EMRs). It enhances the marketability of health IT professionals by demonstrating their proficiency in healthcare and technology.
Issued by: American Society of Health Informatics Managers (ASHIM)
Focus:
- Electronic Health Records (EHRs)
- Electronic Medical Records (EMRs)
- Healthcare and technology integration
Prerequisites:
- Education and Work Experience:
- Successfully complete the ASHIM Health IT Professional training program OR
- Have at least three years of experience in IT.
- Exam: Required
Renewability: Yes, it requires renewal with 12 IT Healthcare CE’s every two years.
Price:
- Full Training Course: $1,200
- Clinical Pro Fast Track: $999
- IT Pro Fast Track: $999
Who It’s For: For entry-level health information technician professionals seeking to demonstrate their expertise and enhance their employability in the healthcare technology sector.
2. Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS) - Best for experienced healthcare IT professionals
The Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS) credential demonstrates a professional's proficiency in managing and implementing healthcare information systems. It includes topics essential for competent practice in health IT, including healthcare and technology environments, clinical informatics, and management and leadership.
Issued by: HIMSS
Focus:
- Global healthcare information systems
- Information technology in healthcare
- Management systems in healthcare
Prerequisites:
- Education and work experience:
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited university with at least 5 years of information and management systems experience; OR
- A graduate degree degree or higher from an accredited university with at least 3 years of information and management systems experience; OR
- At least 10 years of information and management systems, with 8 years in healthcare
- Exam: Required
- Other Certifications Required: None
Renewability: Yes, it requires renewal through reexamination or obtaining 45 CEs during the renewal cycle.
Price:
- HIMSS Organizational Affiliate: $529
- HIMSS, Corporate, or Student Member: $579
- Non-member: $699
Who It’s For: For healthcare IT professionals aiming to demonstrate their expertise in healthcare information systems and management, enhancing their career prospects in the healthcare industry.
3. AMIA Health Informatics Certification (AHIC) - Best for multidisciplinary health informatics roles
The AMIA Health Informatics Certification (AHIC) integrates information science, computer science, and healthcare to improve care delivery, enhance public health, and empower patient engagement. This certification recognizes specialized skills and knowledge and demonstrates mastery of health informatics competencies. It provides foundational knowledge, health information systems, and data governance and management.
Issued by: American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA)
Focus:
- Credentialing process for health informatics professionals
- Competency assessment in informatics
- Operational aspects of informatics
Prerequisites:
- Education and Work Experience:
- Master’s or doctoral degree in health informatics or related degree with at least 4 years of healthcare informatics work experience; OR
- Master’s or doctoral degree in a health informatics-related field with at least 6 years work experience; OR
- Baccalaureate degree in health informatics or related degree with at least 8 years of work experience
- Exam: Required
- Other Certifications Required: None
Renewability: Yes, it requires recertification with 60 PDUs during the 4-year certification period.
Price:
- Exam - AMIA Member: $996
- Exam - Nonmember: $1,322
Who It’s For: For professionals looking to validate their expertise in health informatics and demonstrate their ability to improve healthcare systems through informatics.
4. Certified Health Data Analyst (CHDA) - Best for data analysis in healthcare
The Certified Health Data Analyst (CHDA®) equips learners with the skills to acquire, manage, analyze, and interpret healthcare data effectively, transforming raw information into actionable insights. It provides advanced proficiency in data analytics and emphasizes the pivotal role of data in driving improvements in patient outcomes, organizational performance, and compliance with healthcare regulations.
Issued by: AHIMA
Focus:
- Health data analysis
- Reporting and business needs assessment
- Data acquisition and analysis
- Data interpretation and reporting
- Data governance
Prerequisites:
- Education:
- Bachelor’s degree or higher degree from an accredited university; or
- RHIT® or RHIA® credential
- Work Experience: Healthcare data experience is recommended
- Exam: Required
- Other Certifications Required: None
Renewability: Yes, it requires renewal with the submission of CEUs.
Price:
- AHIMA members: $259
- Non-members: $329
Who It’s For: For healthcare professionals looking to validate their expertise in health data analysis and enhance their career prospects in healthcare data management.
5. Clinical Informatics Subspecialty - Best for physicians specializing in informatics
The Clinical Informatics Subspecialty certification focuses on the application of informatics principles to promote safe, efficient, effective, timely, patient-centered, and equitable healthcare. It discusses several key areas, including assessment of information and knowledge needs, clinical process improvement, development and implementation of clinical decision support systems, and management of clinical information systems.
Issued by: American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA)
Focus:
- Integration of informatics in clinical practice
- Use of data to improve healthcare outcomes
- Implementation of electronic health records
- Analysis and management of healthcare information systems
Prerequisites:
Application through the American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM):
- Education: Medical degree
- Work Experience: At least 3 years of practice in Clinical Informatics
- Other Certifications Required: Board certification in a primary specialty
- Others:
- Medical license
- CV/Resume
- Letter of reference from a physician
Renewability: Yes, it requires renewal through completing requirements, including credits and courses.
Application through the American Board of Pathology (ABPath)
- Education: Medical degree
- Others:
- Completed 24 months in an ACGME-accredited Clinical Informatics fellowship program
Renewability: Yes, it requires renewal through participation in the Continuing Certification (CC) Program.
Price: Starts at $2,100
Who It’s For: For physicians who want to lead the integration of informatics into clinical settings, ensuring that healthcare delivery is enhanced through the effective use of data and information technologies.
6. Certified Health IT Professional (CHITP) - Best for health IT project managers
The Certified Healthcare IT Professional (CHITP) emphasizes expertise in implementing, managing, and maintaining healthcare information systems, such as electronic health records (EHRs), to improve healthcare delivery and operational efficiency. It focuses on healthcare IT systems, IT infrastructure and networking, regulatory compliance, data security and privacy, and providing technical assistance to healthcare teams for IT-related challenges.
Issued by: HealthStream
Focus:
- Implementation of health IT systems
- Management of health IT systems
- Supporting healthcare organizations in technology utilization
- Improving patient care through technology
- Enhancing operational efficiency in healthcare settings
Prerequisites:
- Other Certifications Required: None
Who It’s For: For health IT professionals looking to validate their expertise in managing and implementing health IT systems, thereby enhancing their career prospects and ability to support healthcare organizations effectively.
7. Informatics Nursing Certification (NI-BC™) - Best for nurses integrating IT in clinical practice
The Informatics Nursing Certification (NI-BC™) assesses the entry-level clinical knowledge and skills of registered nurses specializing in informatics. It focuses on improving patient care through data management and system implementation. It evaluates competencies across several core domains, including system design life cycle, data management and health care technology, information management, and ethical and regulatory standards in informatics nursing practice.
Issued by: American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
Focus:
- Clinical knowledge and skills in informatics
- Data management
- System implementation
- Improving patient care through technology
Prerequisites:
- Education: Bachelor's or higher degree in nursing
- Work Experience: At least 2 years as a full-time registered nurse
- Exam: Required
- Other Certifications Required: None
- Others:
- Hold a current, active RN license
- Have completed 30 hours of continuing education in informatics nursing within the last 3 years
- Fulfill one of the following practice hour criteria:
- Accumulate at least 2,000 hours of experience in informatics nursing within the past three years, or
- Complete a minimum of 1,000 hours in informatics nursing within the last three years, along with at least 12 semester hours of graduate-level informatics coursework, or
- Successfully finish a graduate-level informatics nursing program that includes a minimum of 200 hours of faculty-supervised practicum in informatics nursing.
Renewability: Yes, it requires renewal by completing requirements, including continuing hours and certifications.
Price:
- American Nursing Informatics Association (ANIA) members: $340
- American Nurses Association members: $340
- Non-member: $395
Who It’s For: For registered nurses seeking to specialize in integrating nursing practice with information and analytical sciences to improve patient care and healthcare processes.
8. Certified Imaging Informatics Professional (CIIP) - Best for imaging professionals and radiologists
The Certified Imaging Informatics Professional (CIIP) certification demonstrates an individual's ability to bridge the gap between clinical imaging and information technology, effectively using IT systems to enhance medical imaging processes and improve healthcare delivery. It equips them with the tools to manage and maintain complex imaging IT systems, ensure compliance with regulatory standards, and lead innovation in imaging technologies.
Issued by: American Board of Imaging Informatics (ABII)
Focus:
- Imaging informatics
- Radiology informatics
- Medical imaging informatics
Prerequisites:
- Exam: Required
- Other Certifications Required: None
Renewability: Yes, it requires renewal by earning and reporting 24 CE credits biennially.
Who It’s For: For those in the imaging and radiology fields, validating their expertise and enhancing their professional credibility in imaging informatics.
FAQs About Health Informatics Certifications
What is a health informatics certification?
Health informatics certification is a credential that validates an individual's expertise in the field of health informatics, which involves the use of technology to manage and process health information. These certifications are often pursued by professionals looking to advance their careers in healthcare IT.
Why should I get certified in health informatics?
Obtaining a certification in health informatics can enhance your career prospects by demonstrating your commitment and proficiency in the field. It can also provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively implement and manage health information systems.
What are some popular health informatics certifications?
Some popular health informatics certifications include the Certified Health Informatics Systems Professional (CHISP), the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA), and the Health Informatics Certification (AMIA). Each certification typically focuses on different aspects of health informatics and may have specific eligibility requirements.
How long does it take to complete a health informatics certification program?
The duration of a health informatics certification program can vary widely depending on the certification and the individual's prior experience. Some programs can be completed in a few months, while others may take a year or more, especially if they require completing a series of courses or exams.
Are there any prerequisites for enrolling in a health informatics certification program?
Prerequisites for health informatics certification programs vary by certification. Some may require a background in healthcare or information technology, while others may require a certain level of education or work experience in the field. It's important to review the specific requirements for each certification before applying.
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