RHIT vs RHIA — Which Health Information Credential Is Right for You?

Education Requirements

The most fundamental difference between RHIT and RHIA is the educational credential required before you can sit for either exam.

RHIT education path:

• Requires an associate degree from a CAHIIM-accredited Health Information Technology (HIT) program
• Typical program length: 2 years at a community college or technical institute
• CAHIIM accreditation is mandatory — a degree from a non-accredited program does not qualify you to sit for the RHIT exam
• Common programs: Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Health Information Technology

RHIA education path:

• Requires a bachelor's degree from a CAHIIM-accredited Health Information Management (HIM) program
• Typical program length: 4 years (or 2 additional years for an RHIT who completes a bachelor's degree completion program)
• CAHIIM-accredited BS/BSHIM programs exist at universities across the US, including many fully online options
• Some programs are designed specifically as RHIT-to-RHIA bridge programs — accelerated pathways for working RHITs who want to advance

International applicants: Non-US degrees require a foreign credential evaluation. AHIMA accepts qualifying international education — contact AHIMA's certification team for specific country-by-country guidance.

Exam Format Differences

The RHIT and RHIA exams test different knowledge domains and at different levels of complexity, reflecting the different roles each credential prepares you for.

RHIT exam:

• 150 questions total (130 scored, 20 pretest/unscored)
• 3.5 hours to complete
• Passing score: 300/400 scaled score
• Domains tested: Data structure and content, information protection, informatics and analytics, revenue cycle management, compliance, organizational resources, health law and standards
• Questions focus on application and technical execution — what to do in a specific HIM scenario

RHIA exam:

• 180 questions total (150 scored, 30 pretest/unscored)
• 4 hours to complete
• Passing score: 300/400 scaled score
• Domains tested: Same broad domains as RHIT but with significantly heavier emphasis on leadership, management, strategic planning, and policy — plus more complex data governance questions
• Questions focus on analysis, evaluation, and decision-making at a department or organizational level

Pass rates: AHIMA publishes annual pass rates. The RHIT first-time pass rate typically runs 60–75%; RHIA first-time pass rates are similar (roughly 60–70%) despite the additional complexity, largely because RHIA candidates have more education and usually more work experience.

Salary Comparison — RHIT vs RHIA

The salary gap between RHIT and RHIA credentials reflects the difference in education level and the management responsibilities that come with RHIA certification.

RHIT salary ranges (2026):

• Entry-level RHIT: $38,000–$46,000/year
• Mid-level RHIT (3–5 years): $46,000–$58,000/year
• Senior RHIT / specialist: $55,000–$68,000/year
• Top markets (CA, NY, MA): Can reach $70,000+ for experienced RHITs

RHIA salary ranges (2026):

• Entry-level RHIA: $52,000–$65,000/year
• Mid-level RHIA (3–5 years): $65,000–$82,000/year
• HIM Director / Manager: $80,000–$110,000/year
• Health Information Officer / VP level: $110,000–$150,000+

The average salary premium for RHIA over RHIT is approximately $15,000–$25,000/year at comparable experience levels. Over a 10-year career, an RHIA who moves into management can earn $300,000–$500,000 more cumulatively than an RHIT in a technical role — but the RHIA requires 2 more years of education and higher exam prep investment upfront.

Sample American Health Information Management Association Practice Questions

Try these questions from our free American Health Information Management Association practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.

1. Which body is responsible for overseeing AHIMA credentialing examinations such as the RHIA, RHIT, and CCS?

   • A. CAHIIM
   • B. CCHIIM
   • C. The Joint Commission
   • D. CMS

Answer: B. CCHIIM

The Commission on Certification for Health Informatics and Information Management (CCHIIM) oversees AHIMA's credentialing examinations.

Answer: C. Hospital and facility-based settings

The CCS credential focuses on hospital and facility-based inpatient and outpatient coding using ICD-10 and CPT codes.

Answer: B. CHPS

The Certified in Healthcare Privacy and Security (CHPS) credential targets professionals responsible for privacy and security program management.

Answer: D. CHDA

The Certified Health Data Analyst (CHDA) credential is designed for professionals working in health data management, analytics, and reporting.

Take the full American Health Information Management Association practice test