Join the profession
Program graduates
Graduates of an accredited health information associate program (e.g., medical office assistant or office administration health services programs) are eligible to write the Health Information-Certified Associate (HICA) national certification examination (NCE).
Please read the frequently asked questions and answers below for more information on becoming a certified associate.
Frequently asked questions
If I graduate from an accredited health information associate program, can I become a Health Information-Certified Associate (HICA)?
Graduates of accredited health information associate programs are eligible to write the HICA national certification examination. To learn more about certification, click the button below.
If I pass the HICA NCE, what happens next?
You will become:
- A Health Information-Certified Associate with the Canadian College of Health Information Management and can use the HICA designation
- An associate member with CHIMA, Canada’s health information management association
What happens if I do not become a HICA professional?
The decision to become certified is personal to each health information professional. There is an advantage to being certified as it can present more career opportunities for individuals. Certification signals to employers that a health information professional is credible and has a demonstrated commitment to people’s health.