To be able to qualify to sit for the RHIT or RHIA credential you must be a graduate of a CAHIIM accredited HIM program. Most programs will recognize your work in healthcare and come up with an academic plan for you to pick up the classes in HIM that you lack. This means a shorter time to graduation. However, the academic plan will be unique for each student and each school program. You will need to work directly with a HIM program director to determine how many credit hours and classes you will need to take to satisfy their graduation requirements.

You could consider getting a master's degree in health informatics with an emphasis in HIM. Be sure to find out if you will be qualified to sit for the RHIA credential exam after you complete your coursework - it may mean taking a few more classes than usual. To see a listing of master degree programs that support a focus in HIM please visit the academic pathways section of this website and click on master's degree option. You could also consider a post-baccalaureate certificate offered by many of the HIM baccalaureate programs, but consult the HIM program director as not all colleges make that offer available.

Take some time and visit all parts of this website and learn more about the distinctions between the two career paths. A RHIT is achieved after completing a two-year associate degree program in HIM with a skilled technical focus, while a RHIA is achieved after completing a four-year baccalaureate degree program in HIM with an emphasis on management skills. Remember, once you graduate from your program, you will want to take the national certification exam offered through the AHIMA. Where do you see yourself in the healthcare industry two years from now? How about four years from now? Each degree and credential is beneficial and the choice is based on your personal goals.