If you need help studying for the Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS) exam or just want some more information about what the exam is like, you’ve come to the right place.
Click below to take a free CPHIMS practice test!
Exam Eligibility
Before you can register to take the CPHIMS exam, you’ll have to meet at least ONE of the requirements below:
- You need at least 10 years of experience with information and management systems, including at least 8 years in a healthcare setting
- You need a graduate degree or higher and at least 3 years of experience with information and management systems, including at least 2 years in a healthcare setting
- You need a baccalaureate degree or higher and at least 5 years of experience with information and management systems, including at least 3 years in a healthcare setting
If you meet one of these requirements, you’re set to begin the registration process!
What’s on the Exam?
The CPHIMS exam is made up of 100 multiple-choice questions, and you’ll have 2 hours to complete it. There aren’t any scheduled breaks, but you’re free to take restroom breaks as needed.
Each question falls under one of the following three cognitive levels:
- 🧠 Recall: The recall questions test your ability to recall/recognize information.
- 🛠️ Application: The application questions test your ability to apply knowledge to given situations.
- 🔍 Analysis: The analysis questions test your ability to analyze and evaluate solutions.
The exam is split into four sections.
1. HEALTHCARE AND TECHNOLOGY ENVIRONMENTS
25% of the exam
- Recognizing the impact of regulations, laws, and accreditation on healthcare information and systems management services
- Articulating the characteristics and services of various healthcare organizations
- Articulating the characteristics of interrelationships within and between healthcare organizations
- Describing the roles and responsibilities of healthcare information and management systems professionals in their organizational structures
- Articulating the characteristics of technology infrastructure supporting the healthcare environment
- Evaluating healthcare technology trends and implementing strategies for improved patient outcomes
- Articulating the characteristics of commonly used healthcare applications
2. CLINICAL INFORMATICS
20% of the exam
- Basic healthcare IT vocabulary and terms commonly used in healthcare informatics
- Basic clinical vocabulary and terms commonly represented in healthcare informatics
- Basic clinical metrics commonly represented in informatics
- Developing and implementing system functionality to enhance clinical effectiveness and efficiency
- Developing mechanisms for ongoing clinical content and decision-support tools
- Interpreting operational and clinical outcomes using various data analytics tools
3. HEALTHCARE INFORMATION AND SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT
30% of the exam
- Analysis
- Selection
- Privacy and security
- Design
- Implementation
- Support
- Maintenance
- Testing for evaluation
4. MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP
25% of the exam
- Contributing to organizational strategic planning
- Developing and implementing an IT strategic plan and departmental objectives that align with organizational strategies and goals
- Managing budget and financial risks
- Managing contractual agreements with partners and vendors
- Maintaining organizational competencies on current IT technologies and trends
- Evaluating staff competency in information and management system skills
- Defining roles, job descriptions, and responsibilities for healthcare IT functions
- Evaluating performance
- Evaluating effectiveness and user satisfaction
- Employing comparative analytics
- Presenting interpretations and recommendations of data analyses to decision-makers
How to Register
To get started, you’ll need to submit an application on the HIMSS website. The application will ask you for your contact information and any documentation to prove your eligibility (among other things).
When you submit the application, you’ll also need to submit the application fee, which is $659.
CPHIMS Study Guide and Flashcards
Get practice questions, detailed study lessons, and complex subjects broken down into easily understandable concepts.
Exam Scores
The test is scored using a scaled scoring method. Here’s how it works:
You will need a score of 600 to pass the test.
The reason your raw score is converted to a scaled score is because everyone who takes the test is given a slightly different set of questions. Since everyone has a different arrangement of questions, and because some questions are harder than others, converting your raw score to a scaled score ensures a more even playing field.
Retaking the Exam
If you didn’t get a passing score on your first try, that’s okay! You can retake the test after a 60-day waiting period.
Keep in mind that you will have to pay the $319 retake fee every time you retake the test.
FAQs
How many questions are on the CPHIMS exam?
The exam contains 190 questions.
What is the time limit for the CPHIMS exam?
The exam is timed at 2 hours.
What is the passing score for the CPHIMS exam?
You’ll need to get a final score of at least 600 to pass the exam
How much does the CPHIMS exam cost?
The exam fee for non-members is $659. HIMSS members pay a discounted exam fee ranging between $499 and 549.