Top 11 Release of Information Specialist Certifications

Certifications are important for release of information specialists because they demonstrate a level of commitment to the profession and a mastery of the skills needed to excel in the field. Certifications also help employers make informed decisions when hiring, as they provide evidence that the candidate has received specialized training and is knowledgeable about laws, regulations, and processes related to medical records and health information. Additionally, certifications can increase job opportunities for release of information specialists, since many employers prefer to hire certified candidates over those without certification. Finally, certifications can be beneficial for career growth and advancement, as they may lead to higher salaries and more opportunities for promotion.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications for Release of Information Specialists and explain how they can benefit a release of information specialist's career.

What are Release of Information Specialist Certifications?

Release of information specialist certification is a professional credential that demonstrates a mastery of the laws and regulations regarding the release of confidential medical and other types of records. It is designed to help those in the healthcare industry who are responsible for releasing patient information, such as medical records, to ensure that they are doing so legally and securely. The certification program provides comprehensive education on the applicable laws and regulations, including HIPAA Privacy Rule, HITECH Act, and state-specific requirements. Additionally, it covers topics such as proper storage and handling of protected health information (PHI) and how to respond to requests for access or copies of PHI. By obtaining this certification, individuals can demonstrate their knowledge and commitment to protecting patient privacy and security while ensuring compliance with all applicable regulations. This can be beneficial for both employers looking for qualified personnel to handle releases of information and individuals seeking career advancement in this field.

Pro Tip: Before becoming a Release of Information Specialist, make sure you have a thorough understanding of the applicable laws and regulations related to the release of information in your area. This will help you become more successful in obtaining the proper certifications and will ensure that you are following all legal guidelines while releasing information.

Related: What does a Release of Information Specialist do?

Top 11 Release of Information Specialist Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Release of Information Specialists today.

1. Certified Release of Information Specialist (CRIS)

A Certified Release of Information Specialist (CRIS) is a professional who specializes in the release of confidential information. They are responsible for ensuring that the release of confidential information is done in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. CRIS professionals must possess knowledge of HIPAA, state and federal privacy laws, as well as other relevant regulations.

In order to become a CRIS, individuals must complete an accredited training program and pass a certification exam administered by one of several organizations. The length of time it takes to complete the training program and receive certification varies depending on the organization offering it, but typically takes between 4-6 months.

The cost to become certified also varies depending on the organization offering the certification program. Generally speaking, the cost ranges from $500-$1,000 USD.

Once certified, CRIS professionals are responsible for managing all aspects of releasing confidential information including creating policies and procedures for releasing protected health information (PHI) in accordance with applicable laws and regulations; responding to requests for PHI; verifying patient authorization forms; maintaining records of all released PHI; auditing released PHI; and providing education to staff members about privacy policies and procedures.

2. Certified Health Information Management Professional (CHIMP)

Certified Health Information Management Professional (CHIMP) is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated expertise and competency in the field of health information management. The CHIMP credential is offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

To be eligible for the CHIMP, an individual must have a minimum of two years experience in health information management or a related field. They must also complete an approved program of study from an accredited college or university, or hold an AHIMA-approved certificate in health information technology.

The CHIMP exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete. It covers topics such as data analysis and interpretation, coding and classification systems, legal and ethical issues, privacy and security, quality improvement, and other areas related to health information management.

The cost to take the CHIMP exam varies depending on whether you are an AHIMA member or nonmember. For members, it costs $395; for nonmembers it costs $495. Once you pass the exam, you will receive your official certification card within six weeks of passing the exam.

3. Certified Medical Records Technician (CMRS)

A Certified Medical Records Technician (CMRS) is a professional who has been certified by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) to demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills in medical records management. This certification is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in medical records management and are dedicated to maintaining quality healthcare through accurate and timely documentation.

It typically takes between 12-18 months of study and practice to become a CMRS. To become certified, an individual must pass an exam administered by AHIMA that covers topics such as health information management, coding, privacy and security, legal aspects of health information, clinical data management, and more. The exam fee is $325 for members of AHIMA or $400 for non-members. In addition to the exam fee, there may be other costs associated with becoming certified such as textbooks, study materials, and continuing education courses.

4. Certified in Healthcare Privacy and Security (CHPS)

Certified in Healthcare Privacy and Security (CHPS) is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated expertise in healthcare privacy and security. It is offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and is the only certification of its kind that covers both privacy and security.

The CHPS exam consists of two parts: a written exam and a practical application project. The written exam covers topics such as healthcare regulations, risk management, information security, privacy policies, and data protection. The practical application project requires applicants to demonstrate their knowledge by developing a plan for protecting patient information within their organization.

It typically takes six months to one year to complete the CHPS certification process. To get started, applicants must first complete an online application form and pay the registration fee. Once approved, they will receive access to study materials, including practice exams, webinars, and other resources. After studying these materials, applicants must pass the written exam before they can move on to the practical application project.

The cost of obtaining the CHPS certification varies depending on the applicant’s membership status with AHIMA. Non-members pay $595 for the written exam and $395 for the practical application project; members pay $495 for the written exam and $295 for the practical application project.

5. Certified Electronic Health Record Specialist (CEHRS)

A Certified Electronic Health Record Specialist (CEHRS) is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who demonstrate expertise in the use of electronic health records (EHRs) and other health information technology. The CEHRS certification is administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

To become certified, applicants must have a minimum of two years of experience working with EHRs, pass an exam, and complete continuing education requirements. The exam covers topics such as patient privacy and security, data entry and retrieval, data analysis, and system maintenance.

The exam can be taken at an NHA-approved testing center or online. It typically takes about four hours to complete. The cost of the exam varies depending on the testing center but can range from $125 to $200. Additionally, there is an annual fee for maintaining the certification which ranges from $50 to $100 per year.

Once certified, CEHRS professionals are expected to stay up-to-date on changes in EHR technology and best practices for using it effectively. They are also responsible for ensuring that patient data is secure and confidential.

6. Certified Health Information Technology Professional (CHITP)

Certified Health Information Technology Professional (CHITP) is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated expertise in the field of health information technology. This certification is offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

To become certified, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as health data management, privacy and security, electronic health records (EHRs), and other related topics. The exam typically takes two to three hours to complete and consists of multiple-choice questions.

The cost of the CHITP exam varies depending on the country in which you are taking it. In the United States, it costs $395 for members of AHIMA and $495 for non-members.

In order to maintain their certification, CHITPs must complete at least 45 continuing education credits every three years. These credits can be obtained through various activities such as attending conferences or workshops, reading professional journals, or completing online courses.

7. American Health Information Management Association's Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT)

The Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) is a professional certification offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and expertise in health information management, including medical coding and data analysis. This certification requires an associate degree or higher in health information technology or a related field, and passing the RHIT exam.

The RHIT exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, health data requirements and standards, classification and coding systems, healthcare reimbursement methods, healthcare statistics and analytics, legal concepts of healthcare documentation, privacy and security of patient health information, quality improvement methods in healthcare organizations, and other related topics. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete.

To be eligible to take the RHIT exam, applicants must have completed an accredited program in health information technology or a related field such as medical billing or coding. Applicants must also have at least one year of experience working with electronic health records (EHRs) or other health information systems.

The cost for the RHIT exam varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, it can range from $200-$400 USD. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with taking the exam such as registration fees or proctoring fees.

8. National Healthcareer Association's Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)

The Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) is a professional certification offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and proficiency in the field of medical administrative assistance. The CMAA credential is awarded to those who pass an exam that covers topics such as medical terminology, coding, billing, insurance processing, patient scheduling, and other related areas.

The CMAA exam takes approximately three hours to complete and consists of 150 multiple-choice questions. To be eligible for the exam, applicants must have at least one year of experience working in a healthcare setting or have completed an accredited medical administrative program.

To get the CMAA credential, individuals must first register with NHA and pay the required fee. After registering, applicants will receive their exam voucher and study materials from NHA. Once they are ready to take the exam, they can schedule it through NHA's website or by calling customer service.

The cost of the CMAA credential varies depending on whether you are a member of NHA or not. For non-members, it costs $169; for members it costs $149. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with rescheduling or retaking the exam if necessary.

9. American Academy of Professional Coders' Certified Professional Coder-Hospital (CPC-H)

The American Academy of Professional Coders’ Certified Professional Coder-Hospital (CPC-H) is a credential that demonstrates a professional coder’s knowledge and expertise in coding for hospital settings. It is an advanced certification that requires a comprehensive understanding of the ICD-10-CM, CPT, HCPCS Level II, and Revenue Code systems.

It typically takes between 6 to 12 months to prepare for the CPC-H exam. This includes studying the material covered on the exam, attending review courses or seminars, and taking practice tests.

To get certified as a CPC-H, you must first complete an application through the AAPC website. Once your application has been approved, you will be able to register for the exam. The cost of registration varies depending on whether you are an AAPC member or not; it is $400 for nonmembers and $300 for members.

Once you have registered for the exam, you will receive information about how to access your online study materials and take practice exams. You can then schedule your exam date with Pearson VUE testing centers. On the day of your test, you will need to bring two forms of identification with you in order to be admitted into the testing center.

The cost of taking the CPC-H exam is $385 for nonmembers and $285 for members. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with rescheduling or canceling your appointment at Pearson VUE testing centers.

10. American Academy of Professional Coders' Certified Professional Coder-Physician Office (CPC-P)

The American Academy of Professional Coders’ Certified Professional Coder-Physician Office (CPC-P) is a certification program designed to help medical coders demonstrate their knowledge and proficiency in coding for physician offices. The CPC-P credential is the most widely recognized certification for medical coding in physician office settings.

To become certified, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as anatomy and physiology, disease processes, medical terminology, ICD-10-CM/PCS coding systems, HCPCS Level II coding system, and CPT coding system. The exam consists of 150 multiple choice questions that must be completed within five hours.

To get started with the CPC-P certification process, applicants must first register with AAPC and pay the registration fee. After registering, applicants can choose to attend a review course or study on their own using AAPC’s self-study materials. Once applicants are ready to take the exam, they will need to pay the examination fee and schedule their testing date.

The cost of the CPC-P certification process varies depending on whether or not you choose to attend a review course or use AAPC’s self-study materials. The registration fee is $399; however, if you are an AAPC member this fee is waived. The examination fee is $399 for nonmembers and $299 for members. Additionally, if you choose to attend a review course these fees vary depending on which type of course you select.

Overall it typically takes between two months and six months to complete the entire CPC-P certification process from start to finish.

11. National Association for Healthcare Quality's Certified Healthcare Quality Professional (CHQP).

The Certified Healthcare Quality Professional (CHQP) is a credential offered by the National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and expertise in healthcare quality management.

The CHQP credential requires applicants to have a minimum of two years of experience in healthcare quality management and/or performance improvement, as well as completion of a specified number of NAHQ-approved continuing education credits. Applicants must also pass an exam that covers topics such as quality assurance, risk management, patient safety, data analysis and reporting, and performance improvement.

The process of obtaining the CHQP certification typically takes 4-6 months. During this time, applicants must complete their application form, submit their documentation and fees, take the exam (if applicable), and receive notification of their results.

To get the CHQP certification, applicants must first register with NAHQ. This can be done online or through mail or fax. Once registered, applicants will need to submit an application form along with supporting documents such as proof of experience and education credits earned. The fee for the CHQP certification is $395 for NAHQ members and $495 for non-members.

Once all documents are received by NAHQ, they will review the application to determine if the applicant meets all eligibility requirements. If approved, applicants will then be able to schedule their exam date at one of NAHQ's testing centers or through an online proctoring service. After passing the exam with a score of 70% or higher, applicants will receive their CHQP certification within 4-6 weeks after passing the exam.

Do You Really Need a Release of Information Specialist Certificate?

Whether or not you need a Release of Information Specialist Certificate depends on your career goals. If you are looking to work in the health care field and are specifically interested in handling patient information, then this certification is likely necessary. The certificate will demonstrate your knowledge of medical records security and privacy, as well as other important aspects of the job such as understanding HIPAA regulations.

On the other hand, if you are looking to work in a different field, such as marketing or finance, then this certificate may not be necessary. However, it could still come in useful if you ever decide to switch careers and enter the health care industry. The certificate will give you an edge over other applicants who don’t have it and could help you land a job more quickly.

Ultimately, it is up to you to decide whether or not this certificate is worth pursuing. If it fits into your long-term plans for your career, then it could be a great way to gain valuable experience and credentials that will make you more attractive to employers.

Related: Release of Information Specialist Resume Examples

FAQs About Release of Information Specialist Certifications

Q1. What are the requirements to become a Release of Information Specialist?

A1. To become a Release of Information Specialist, you must typically have a high school diploma or GED and complete an approved training program. Additionally, some employers may require certification in release of information specialties.

Q2. How long does it take to become a Release of Information Specialist?

A2. The amount of time it takes to become certified as a Release of Information Specialist depends on the type and length of training program chosen, but typically can range from 6 months to 1 year.

Q3. What is the certification process for becoming a Release of Information Specialist?

A3. The certification process for becoming a Release of Information Specialist usually involves completing an accredited training program, passing an exam, and submitting proof of completion and other documentation to obtain certification from the appropriate certifying body.

Q4. Are there any continuing education requirements for maintaining Certification as a Release of Information Specialist?

A4. Yes, most certifying bodies require that Certified Release of Information Specialists maintain their certification through continuing education credits every two years in order to stay current with changes in regulations and technology related to information release processes and procedures.

Q5. What are the benefits of becoming certified as a Release of Information Specialist?

A5: Becoming certified as a Release of Information Specialist can help provide job security, career advancement opportunities, improved earning potential, increased knowledge base, and access to specialized resources within the field.