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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