Healthcare

How to become a Health Information Technician

From no experience: every step, how long it takes, and the credential it earns.

Time to get there

1–2 years

Typical pay

$42k–$56k

Starting from

No experience

Pay is an estimate of typical US entry-level pay for this role and varies by state, employer and shift. The timeline assumes you are starting from no experience and includes any licence or programme legally required — not just course length.

The route

1. 1

   1–2 years

   Complete a CAHIIM-accredited HIM program

   Two-year associate covering records, coding basics, health law and data quality.

   Course that covers thisMedical Coding - CPC and Healthcare Documentation TrainingUdemy · around $19.99 →
2. 2

   during program

   Learn the release-of-information rules

   HIPAA is not a module here, it is the job — who may see a record, and when.

3. 3

   Certify with AHIMA

   RHIT is the standard credential for this role.

   ◆ RHIT (AHIMA)

4. 4

   1–3 years

   Move toward coding or analytics

   Both pay more than records management and both are reachable from here.

5. ✓

   Destination

   Health Information Technician

   Browse jobs now →

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