An active membership is required during both the application process and while writing the NCE.

To withdraw or defer your examination application, please contact exam@echima.ca.

The request to withdraw from an examination must be received in writing by the application deadline. A refund of 100% of the examination fee will be provided. No refund will be provided past these deadlines.

Applications are reviewed after the Application, payment & transcript deadline. Approved candidates will receive an email 2-3 days following this deadline to inform them of their approval.

To locate the application deadline for your exam, please click on your examination type:

• CHIM
• HICA
• CCCS
• CCDIS

Transcripts are required to be received on or before the application deadline. CHIMA is not able to request a candidate’s transcript from an institution as they contain personal information. It is suggested that candidates confirm their program’s policy for submitting transcripts to CHIMA. Candidates will not be notified of the receipt of their transcript.

There are two methods of submission, please choose from one of the following methods (Please note that electronic transcripts are preferred):

Electronic


Electronic transcripts are accepted only when received directly from an institution. They must be scanned individually as a PDF, saved as ‘lastname_firstname_institution,’ and emailed to exam@echima.ca. 


Mail-in


Both an institution and exam candidate can mail a sealed, original copy to the following address:
CHIMA
Attn: Examinations 
301-50 Ottawa Street South
Kitchener, Ontario
N2G 3S7

Candidates will not be notified of the receipt of their transcript. Please contact your program coordinator to confirm that they have submitted your transcript/supporting documentation.

No, you will not need to re-submit a transcript if you have already submitted it during a previous application.

You will choose the date and time of your examination when you submit your NCE application. If your application is approved, you will write your exam during your chosen date and time.

If you need to re-schedule your NCE date and time please contact exam@echima.ca.

The examination is hosted online. You can write from a place of your choosing as long as it an acceptable test environment according to the proctoring guidelines.

Google Chrome (latest version) is the suggested browser of choice for both Windows and Mac users.

If you need to download Google Chrome, please visit the following link for more information: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95346?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop

• Government-issued I.D –prior to writing your examination, the proctoring software will prompt you to take a photo of yourself as well as a photo of your I.D.
• CHIMA Username and password – you will need to log in to your account and will not be able to exit the proctoring software to collect this information
• Proper technology set up

Note: A calculator and a digital notepad are available within the exam platform for candidates to use during the exam.

External calculators and paper/pens are no longer permitted.

The resources available to you, such as practice quizzes and primers, are featured on the NCE help centre resources page.

No. Notes, answer sheets, textbooks, etc. are not permitted while writing.

You can use the digital notepad that is embedded within the exam platform to work through questions.

Yes, bathroom breaks are permitted. Please note that the timer for your exam cannot be paused.

Yes, bringing a drink to your examination is permitted.

Closer to the date of your exam, you will receive an email with your exam link and access code.

When you click on the exam link, you will be prompted to enter in your access code. Then you will go through the proctoring set-up stage. During this stage, the proctoring software will confirm that your technology is working as it should be. Then you will be prompted to take a photo of yourself, a photo of your ID, and lastly, you will show a 360 of your testing environment.

After this, you will be brought to a new page with an instruction table. Once finished reading, scroll down to click on the ‘Start now‘ button. After clicking this button, your examination time will start and you can begin writing.

It is a mandatory requirement to test proctoring software before writing to ensure you can begin your examination without issue.

It is highly recommended to test this proctoring software at least a week before your scheduled sitting.

Review the NCE proctoring guideline for more information on preparing your technology.

Please fill out this form: https://www.echima.ca/contact-the-exam-and-proctoring-support-team/

Please fill out this form: https://www.echima.ca/contact-the-exam-and-proctoring-support-team/

If you are planning to write the NCE while at your workplace, please note that you may need to contact your organization’s IT department to double-check what firewalls are in place. Firewalls can block the software from performing properly.

If your organization’s firewalls cannot be removed, you will need to find an alternate space to write in.

No, the timer for your examination does not start until after you have completed the proctoring setup and started your exam.

You will be notified through email once your grades are released. Please ensure to check your junk/spam folder as the email may have ended up there.

Candidates can view their grades by signing in to their CHIMA dashboard. Please select ‘National Certification Examinations’ and navigate to ‘Examination history’. Grades are posted approximately 20 business days* after the examination period ends.

* At times, the College could run outside of these service level agreements due to extenuating circumstances. 

Once certified, you will be listed on the Registry of Professionals. This registry includes all professional members who are in good standing with the Canadian College of Health Information Management.

You also have a printable member card that displays your certified status. To locate this card, please follow the steps listed below:

1. Sign in to your CHIMA account using the button at the top right of the home page; you will be automatically redirected to your dashboard.

2. Click into My membership

3. Click on the ‘Professional membership card’ button 

4. This will bring you to a new page with your card, and you will have the option to save and print. 

Candidates who pass will receive an official certificate from the Canadian College of Health Information Management and a welcome letter in the mail within 45 business days. Please note at times, the College could run outside of these service level agreements due to extenuating circumstances. 

The certificate is sent to the address you submitted on your application. If your mailing address has changed since you’ve submitted your application, please contact exam@echima.ca as soon as you can. Additional fees will apply if the certificate needs to be reprinted.

The full name (including the middle name) you submitted during your examination application will be used on your certification. If there was an error in your submission, please get in touch with exam@echima.ca as soon as you can. Additional fees will apply if the certificate needs to be reprinted.

If you pass the NCE, you will receive an email prompting you to switch to the professional membership.