CAHIMS
Offered by Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS)
The Certified Associate in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CAHIMS) is HIMSS's entry-level credential for people starting in healthcare information and technology. It checks foundational knowledge of healthcare organizations, clinical informatics, systems work, and how IT teams support care delivery.
EXAM AT A GLANCE
Format
115 multiple-choice questions (100 scored)
Testing time
2
hours
Sections
4
Delivery
Pearson VUE test center, remote proctor, or select HIMSS events
Passing score
600 on a 200–800 scale
Cost
$419 / $459
member / non-member
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What the exam covers
Healthcare and Technology Environments
27%
Clinical Informatics
26%
Healthcare Information and Systems Management
33%
Management and Leadership
14%
About the CAHIMS certification
The exam is two hours and 115 multiple-choice questions, 100 of which are scored. HIMSS reports results on a 200–800 scale; 600 is required to pass. You need an eligibility ID before you can reserve a seat.
Who it’s for
Students finishing a health-informatics program and early-career professionals who want a recognized health IT foundation before CPHIMS.
- Cost
- $369 organizational affiliate / $419 HIMSS member, corporate, or student member / $459 non-member (USD). Retake $239. Chapter-only and online-only members do not get the member rate
- Validity
- 3 years. Renew with 45 continuing-education hours (at least 2 on ethics or conflicts of interest) or by exam
- Prerequisites
- Final stage of an approved health-informatics career and technical education program; or a high-school diploma plus 45 hours of relevant continuing education or 150 hours of IT/healthcare experience; or an associate, bachelor's, or advanced degree plus 25 hours of relevant continuing education or 75 hours of IT/healthcare experience
Official exam page· Details verified November 2026
Exam details can change. Always confirm current requirements, fees, and exam policies with the certification provider before registering.
How to prepare
01
Read the current CAHIMS Outline of Exam Topics and mark tasks you have not done at work or in class.
02
Spend the most time on Healthcare Information and Systems Management — it is about a third of the exam.
03
Pair healthcare-setting vocabulary (organizations, regulators, clinical metrics) with basic IT terms (networks, data, security controls).
04
Practice application and analysis items, not only definitions. HIMSS scores recall, application, and analysis.
05
Use the HIMSS self-assessment only to learn the item style. It is not a score predictor.
FAQ
How is CAHIMS different from CPHIMS?
CAHIMS is the associate exam for emerging professionals and has lighter education and experience rules. CPHIMS is the professional exam and requires years of information-and-management-systems experience, including time in a healthcare setting.
Where do I take the CAHIMS exam?
After HIMSS approves your application and issues an eligibility ID, schedule at a Pearson VUE center, by remote proctor, or at a HIMSS event that offers the exam.
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