If you need help studying for the RHIT 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 RHIT practice test!
What’s on the RHIT Exam?
How to Register
RHIT Exam Scores
Retaking the Exam
FAQs
RHIT Exam Eligibility
Before you can register to take the RHIT exam, you’ll have to meet at least ONE of the requirements below:
- You need to have at an associate’s degree (or higher), completing the academic requirements of a Health Information Management (HIM) program.
- You need to complete an HIM program approved by a foreign association.
If you meet one of these requirements, you’re set to begin the registration process!
What’s on the RHIT Exam?
First, let’s talk about the questions on the exam. There are 150 multiple-choice questions total, but only 130 of the questions will count toward your score. Why is that?
The 20 unscored questions on the RHIT exam are called “pretest” questions. These are added to the exam to determine if they’re good enough questions to add to future versions of the test.
The trick is that you won’t have any way of knowing which questions are scored and which ones are pretest. They will appear just like the scored questions throughout the test.
The time limit for the exam is 3.5 hours. There aren’t any scheduled breaks, but you’re free to take restroom breaks as needed.
Let’s take a closer look at the different sections of the RHIT exam.
1. DATA CONTENT, STRUCTURE, AND INFORMATION GOVERNANCE
19%-25% of the exam
- Apply health information guidelines
- Apply healthcare standards
- Identify and maintain the designated record set
- Maintain the integrity of the health record
- Audit content and completion of the health record
- Educate clinicians on documentation and content
- Coordinate document control
- Assess and maintain the integrity of the Master Patient Index (MPI)
- Maintain and understand the data workflow
- Create and maintain functionalities of the EHR
- Create and maintain EHR reports to ensure data integrity
- Navigate patient portals and provide education and support
2. ACCESS, DISCLOSURE, PRIVACY, AND SECURITY
14%-18% of the exam
- Manage the access, use, and disclosure of PHI using laws, regulations, and guidelines
- Determine right of access to the health record
- Educate internal and external customers on privacy, access, and disclosure
- Apply record retention guidelines
- Mitigate privacy and security risk
- Identify and correct identity issues within the EHR
3. DATA ANALYTICS AND USE
12%-18% of the exam
- Identify common internal and external data sources
- Extract and analyze data
- Report patient data
- Compile healthcare statistics and create reports, graphs, and charts
- Analyze common data metrics used to evaluate Health Information functions
4. REVENUE CYCLE MANAGEMENT
19%-25% of the exam
- Identify the components of the revenue cycle process
- Demonstrate proper use of clinical indicators to improve the integrity of coded data
- Code medical/health record documentation
- Query clinicians to clarify documentation
- Recall utilization review processes and objectives
- Manage denials
- Conduct coding and documentation audits
- Provide coding and documentation education
- Monitor Discharged Not Final Billed (DNFB)
- Analyze the case mix
- Identify common billing issues for inpatient and outpatient
- Understand payer guidelines and requirements
- Collaborate with clinical documentation integrity (CDI) staff
- Review and maintain a Charge Description Master (CDM)
- Describe different payment methodologies and different types of health insurance plans
5. COMPLIANCE
13%-17% of the exam
- Perform quality assessments
- Monitor Health Information compliance and report noncompliance
- Maintain standards for Health Information functions
- Monitor regulatory changes for timely and accurate implementation
6. LEADERSHIP
9%-12% of the exam
- Provide education regarding Health Information laws and regulations
- Review Health Information processes
- Develop and revise policies and procedures
- Establish standards for Health Information functions
- Collaborate with other departments for Health Information interoperability
- Provide Health Information subject matter expertise
- Understand the principles and guidelines of project management
How to Register
Once you’ve ensured that you meet all of the eligibility requirements, you can register for the exam.
To get started, you’ll need to submit an application on AHIMA’s 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 testing fee, which is $299. If you’re an AHIMA member, you will only have to pay $229.
RHIT Study Guide and Flashcards
Get practice questions, detailed study lessons, and complex subjects broken down into easily understandable concepts.
RHIT Exam Scores
The test is scored using a scaled scoring method. Here’s how it works:
You will need a score of 300 to pass the test.
The reason your raw score is converted to a scaled score is because everyone who takes the RHIT 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 45-day waiting period.
Keep in mind that you will have to pay the full testing fee every time you retake the test.
Online RHIT Prep Course
If you want to be fully prepared, Mometrix offers an online RHIT prep course. The course is designed to provide you with any and every resource you might want while studying. The RHIT course includes:
- Review Lessons Covering Every Topic
- 600 RHIT Practice Questions
- More than 350 Digital Flashcards
- Money-back Guarantee
- Free Mobile Access
- and More!
The RHIT prep course is designed to help any learner get everything they need to prepare for their RHIT exam. Click below to check it out!
FAQs
How hard is the RHIT exam?
The RHIT exam is only somewhat difficult, especially if you have studied enough before taking it. The pass rate for 2023 was 84%.
How many times can you take the RHIT exam?
You can retake the exam as many times as you’d like.
How many questions are on the RHIT exam?
The exam contains 150 questions.
What is the time limit for the RHIT exam?
The exam is timed at 3.5 hours.
