The Ultimate List of Nursing Informatics Certifications

What is an Informatics Nurse?

Nursing informatics is an up-and-coming career for nurses. Informatics nurses are registered nurses who work at the intersection of technology and nursing, combining nursing, communications, computer science, and information science knowledge.

While you don't need a certification to work in nursing informatics, it can help propel your career to the next level.

What Is a Nursing Informatics Certification?

A nursing informatics certification is a specialty credential for informatics nurses that confirms their ability to understand technology, such as electronic medical records, in a healthcare setting.

These specific certifications do not give you advanced skills, nor do you need one to work as an informatics nurse. However, certifications confirm your pre-existing knowledge and show others you hold an advanced skill set in informatics.

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Nursing Informatics Certification Requirements

You will need at least an RN license to get a nursing informatics certificate. 

You can become an RN by earning an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and passing the NCLEX-RN exam.

>>Related: Top 10 Nursing Informatics Programs

Nursing Informatics Certification Options

Nurse informaticists have three options when pursuing an informatics nurse certification - the NI-BC, CAHIMS, or CPHIMs. These credentials may help advance your career as an informatics nurse by showcasing your skills in healthcare technology and systems.

1. Nursing Informatics Certification (NI-BC)

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) offers eligible nurses the Nursing Informatics Certification (NI-BC). Previously called the RN-BC, this exam is the standard RN informatics certification. 

The exam allows 3 hours to answer 150 questions, including 125 scored and 25 unscored pretest questions.

To be eligible for the NI-BC exam, you must meet the following requirements:

• Hold a current, unencumbered active RN license 
• A BSN or higher degree in nursing OR bachelor's degree in a relevant field
• 2 years full-time as a practicing RN
• Completed 30 hours of CEs in informatics directly related to nursing in the previous 3 years
• Meet ONE of the following requirements:
  • 2,000 practice hours of informatics nursing in the last 3 years
  • 1,000 practice hours of informatics nursing in the last 3 years and completed 12 credits in a graduate-level informatics nursing program
  • Completed an informatics nursing graduate program with at least 200 hours of clinical practice directly related to nursing informatics

Although the certification exam is computer-based, you must take it in person at a Prometric testing center.  

The NI-BC exam costs $295 for American Nurses Association members and $395 for non-members.

2. Certified Associate in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CAHIMS)

The Health Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS) offers nurses and other health information experts the Certified Associate in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CAHIMS) credential. 

While not limited to nurses, this informatics certification can help you demonstrate your knowledge of healthcare information. It may also allow you to acquire more experience by opening you up to new opportunities.

To be eligible to sit for the CAHIMS exam, nurses must meet the following criteria:

• High school diploma or GED equivalency
• Meet one of the following education or experience requirements:
• 45 hours of education in healthcare information technology, digital health, or informatics
• 150 hours of experience in an IT and Healthcare role, including volunteer, practicum, and internship work

OR

• An associate, bachelor, or advanced degree 
• Meet one of the following education or experience requirements:
  • 25 hours of education in healthcare information technology, digital health, or informatics
  • 75 hours of experience in an IT and Healthcare role, including volunteer, practicum, and internship work

The CAHIMs is a two-hour exam with 100 scored and 15 unscored multiple-choice questions. You can take the exam in person at Pearson VUE Testing Centers or at  HIMSS events. It costs $329 for HIMSS members and $419 for non-members.

3. Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS)

The HIMSS also offers the Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS) credential to health information professionals, including nurses. 

This certification in nursing informatics is more suited for nurses in a management position or on the career path toward administration. 

Eligible nurses must meet the following criteria:

• A baccalaureate degree 
• Have five years of information and management systems experience, including three years in healthcare settings

OR

• A graduate degree or higher 
• Three years of information and management systems experience, including two years in healthcare settings

OR

• Minimum 10 years of information and management systems experience, including eight years in healthcare settings

The CPHIMS has 115 multiple-choice questions, 100 of which count toward your final score. You can also take this exam at Pearson VUE Testing Centers or HIMSS gatherings. It costs $499 for HIMSS members and $659 for non-members.

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How to Get a Nursing Informatics Certification

It is essential to review the criteria needed to be eligible for one of the above nursing informatics certifications. You cannot sit for the exam if you do not meet all the criteria. 

Also, discuss nurse informatics certifications with your employer before taking any exams. Depending on where you work and which nurse informatics certification you want, they may reimburse the exam cost.

After applying for an exam, you will receive the Authorization to Test (ATT), which allows you to set an exam date at an authorized testing center. It’s important to review the test outline and all available and suggested studying materials.

Why Get a Nursing Informatics Certification?

Earning a nursing informatics certification is not a requirement for most nursing positions or even jobs, but it will give you a leg up on the competition. Taking an advanced specialty certification exam will solidify your knowledge of nursing informatics. While it may not give you additional skills, it will show that you are an expert in your field. 

Some healthcare systems will reimburse you for the cost of the exam upon successful completion and will even offer a small bonus or an hourly increase. Speak to your manager and HR representative to determine if you qualify.