Applying for Accreditation
(Undergraduate Education Programs)
The Program Development Process
Prior to the application process, a sponsoring institution must develop a program that meets the professional curriculum content and quality of the program as measured by the Accreditation Standards. Program administrators must ensure that the program is developed to ensure stability, professionally and financially.
Developing programs should access the CAHIIM Checklist for New Health Information Program Development
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. The review and decision of a submitted application may take up to 30 days to complete.
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. If eligible and approved by CAHIIM, the program may submit a request for an Extension of Candidacy Status (2 years) along with the full Candidacy Status Fee.
Change in Program Director: Should this occur during the Candidacy period, the program review process may be suspended for up to 3 months while the new Program Director assimilates and assumes the roles and responsibilities described in the Standards. A lack of a Program Director after three months may result in removal of the program applicant from Candidacy Status, may also result in the cancellation of the Site Visit Date, and may also result in the updating of previously entered program review information upon request.
Criteria for Candidacy
A program may apply for Candidacy only if:
- The sponsoring institution is accredited by a regional or national 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 for each campus at all times during the Candidacy Stage.
- 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.
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 |
$2,000.00 |
|
Site Visit Team Expenses |
As incurred |
*Once invoiced and paid this fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.
Next Steps: How to begin the process
The CAHIIM Accreditation System (CAS) Portal
The program should apply using the links at the left navigation bar.
Visit the CAS System Resources link to:
1. Find comprehensive information on the registration and application processes and assistance and guidelines for completing subsequent stages in the accreditation process.
2. Download all system based CAHIIM template forms to be used and uploaded in the system. Program created forms may not be substituted and will not be accepted.
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 director to inform all students and graduates of the accreditation status of the program when it becomes known.