CPHIMS
Offered by Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS)
The Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS) is HIMSS's professional credential for people who already work in healthcare information and management systems. It tests whether you can apply that experience to clinical informatics, systems selection and implementation, privacy and security, and leadership.
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
$609 / $729
member / non-member
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What the exam covers
Healthcare and Technology Environments
25%
Clinical Informatics
20%
Healthcare Information and Systems Management
30%
Management and Leadership
25%
About the CPHIMS certification
The exam is two hours and 115 multiple-choice questions, 100 of which are scored. Results use a 200–800 scale with a passing point of 600. You need an eligibility ID before you can reserve a seat.
Who it’s for
Experienced health IT, clinical informatics, and systems professionals who meet one of HIMSS's experience paths.
- Cost
- $559 organizational affiliate / $609 HIMSS member, corporate, or student member / $729 non-member (USD). 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 retaking the exam in the six months before expiration
- Prerequisites
- One of: 10 years of information and management systems experience with at least 8 in a healthcare setting; a bachelor's degree plus 5 years of experience with at least 3 in healthcare; or a graduate degree plus 3 years of experience with at least 2 in healthcare
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
Confirm you meet one experience path before you pay. Healthcare-setting time is required on every path.
02
Study the CPHIMS outline by task, especially systems management (analysis through privacy and security) at 30%.
03
Practice items that ask what you would do next in an implementation, vendor selection, or security incident — not glossary recall.
04
Review laws and accreditation only as they change systems decisions (privacy, safety, patient rights).
05
Schedule inside your eligibility window after HIMSS issues your eligibility ID.
FAQ
Can I take CPHIMS without a degree?
Yes, if you have 10 years of information and management systems experience and at least 8 of those years are in a healthcare setting. Degree paths shorten the experience requirement.
Should I take CAHIMS first?
Only if you do not yet meet CPHIMS experience rules. CAHIMS does not replace the CPHIMS experience requirement.
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