Applying for Accreditation
(Undergraduate Education Programs)
The Online Candidacy Application Process for Accreditation
CAHIIM Candidacy Description
The purpose of this process is to establish a consultative relationship with developing programs in Health Information Management (HIM), the sponsoring institution and CAHIIM staff in working towards CAHIIM Accreditation. Such programs may be in the planning or early stages of program implementation.
An Application for Candidacy should be made if a program and its sponsoring institution believes it is in full compliance with the current Standards for Accreditation.
Achieving applicant Candidacy status does not guarantee eventual Accreditation of the program.
Length of Candidacy Status
A developing or operating program may remain in Candidacy status for a maximum of two (2) years from the date of application.
Candidacy does not provide eligibility for enrolled students to apply for the AHIMA entry-level certification examinations until formal Accreditation is awarded.
Expiration of Candidacy Status
This status may be terminated if it is found that the requirements for Candidacy have not been met at any time or the maximum 2-year period has elapsed without having achieved Staff approval to move to the Initial Accreditation Site Visit Process. If the program has been informed of this action, the program must reapply by submitting a new Application for Candidacy.
Criteria for Candidacy
A program may apply for Candidacy only if:
- The sponsoring institution is accredited by a regional accrediting institutional agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) to offer a degree or the sponsoring institution is accredited by a national accreditor with USDE provisions in their Grant for Accreditation for establishing eligibility to participate in Title IV programs. Upon request, the applying campus program must provide the OPEID number assigned by the U.S. Department of Education as proof of participation for financial aid. State Board of Education approvals must also be completed.
- There is a qualified Program Director (per the 2005 Standards) for each campus at all times during the Candidacy Stage. A change in the Program Director during the review process may remove the program applicant from Candidacy Status, may result in the cancellation of the Site Visit Date, or may result in the updating of past program review information.
- All course syllabi have been prepared and all AHIMA professional curriculum requirements are in place.
Candidacy Status will be denied if the above Criteria for Candidacy have not been met at the application stage.
Programs that do not qualify for the Site Visit Process in their first year will be placed in Year 2 Status.
CAHIIM Processing Fees (Programs are invoiced)
Fee Type |
Amount |
Due |
Candidacy Status (In effect for 2 years) |
$7,500.00 |
Within 30 days of Invoice date |
Site Visit Processing Fee |
$1,000.00 |
|
Site Visit Team Expenses |
As incurred |
Download the following reference material for this process:
Synopsis of Curriculum
Next Steps: How to begin the process
The E-Accreditation/CAHIIM Accreditation System (CAS) Portal
The program should apply using the e-accreditation link at the left navigation bar.
Please visit the e-accreditation/CAS Resources link for full information on the Registration and Application process.
NOTE: The accreditation process is not complete until the program is reviewed and awarded an accreditation decision by CAHIIM. Graduates are not eligible to apply for AHIMA Certification exams (RHIA or RHIT) until the program has received official notification from CAHIIM awarding Initial Accreditation.
It is the responsibility of the program to inform all students and graduates of the accreditation status of the program when it becomes known.