Certification Exam Fee Reimbursement Program

The Certification Exam Fee Reimbursement Program awards eligible CHIA Active members reimbursement for AHIMA’s HIM certification examinations (RHIT, RHIA), HIM coding certification examinations (CCA, CCS, CCS-P), and specialty certification examinations (CHPS, CHTS, CDIP, CHDA, CPHI). The purpose of this program is to encourage HIM professionals to pursue HIM pathways that support their professional growth and encourage students to take the RHIA/RHIT AHIMA certification examination within six months of graduation.

The amount of the exam fee reimbursement will be based on the verified amount paid by applicant and the AHIMA Member price for the exam (as shown online at www.ahima.org/certification/exams) at the time of the semi-annual recipient selection, whichever is less.

For questions, or to submit application requirements, email Scholarship@CaliforniaHIA.org

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• CHIA Student or Active member in good standing of AHIMA and CHIA at the time the application is submitted and at the time of the semi-annual recipient selection,
• Must have passed the certification examination,
• Applied for reimbursement within three months of taking the examination,
• Must have not received a Certification Exam Fee Reimbursement at any time previously.
• For RHIA, RHIT certification examinations: Must have passed the examination within six months of graduation from a CAHIIM-accredited HIM program. Graduates from California-based and out-of-state programs are eligible.

Application Process

Applicants are required to submit the following within three months of taking the examination:

1. Completed Certification Exam Fee Reimbursement Application,
2. Documentation showing the date exam was successfully passed
3. Receipt verifying amount paid for examination, and
4. For RHIA, RHIT certification examinations: Documentation showing the date of graduation from a CAHIIM-accredited HIA or HIT program (diploma, transcripts, etc)

Selection and Notification Process

Annually in September and March, CHIA will select the recipients from among the eligible applications received in the prior semi-annual period. The selection will be via a blind draw and up to ten (10) recipients will be selected during each draw period. After each draw, CHIA will notify each applicant if he/she was selected, and checks will be mailed shortly thereafter.

• September selection will include eligible applications received March through August.
• March selection will include eligible applications received September through February

The CHIA Awards and Scholarship Fund is made possible through the generous contributions of CHIA Members, Corporate Partners, Vendor Contributions, and other HIM professionals. Please consider making a contribution today.