How to Prep for & Pass the CEHRS Certification Exam

Medical records technicians and health record specialists play a crucial role in today’s healthcare industry. With an expected job growth of 8% by 2032, pursuing an electronic health records specialist certification can open up numerous job opportunities. The first step to gaining your medical records certification is passing the CEHRS exam. Here’s what you need to know to ace it on your first try.

What Is the Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) Certification Exam?

The Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) exam is a nationally recognized certification test designed to assess the competency of medical records specialists. Passing the exam is how you earn your electronic health records (EHR) certification. The CEHRS exam (sometimes called the medical records certification exam) ensures that healthcare professionals are equipped with the necessary skills to handle digital patient information digitally. It signals to employers that you can maintain accuracy, security and compliance with regulatory standards. The exam is administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). The NHA has been a trusted name in healthcare certifications since 1989, ensuring that those who pass their exams are recognized as Nationally Certified Healthcare professionals.

CEHRS Certification Requirements & Eligibility

To be eligible for the EHR certification exam, you must be 18 years old and possess a high school diploma, or its equivalent is mandatory. Additionally, you must meet one of the following criteria:

Option #1

You should have finished a training or educational program related to electronic health records specialist roles in the past five years.

Option #2

• One year within the past three years, or;
• Two years within the last five years.

CEHRS Exam Sections and Content Overview

The CEHRS exam comprises 100 scored multiple-choice items, with an additional unscored 25 pretest items. Candidates are given 125 minutes to answer all CEHRS exam questions.

The electronic medical records certification exam covers five domains of tasks and knowledge statements, including:

• Domain 1: Non-Clinical Operations
• Domain 2: Clinical Operations
• Domain 3: Revenue Cycle/Finance
• Domain 4: Regulatory Compliance
• Domain 5: Reporting

Non-Clinical Operations (28 Items)

This section covers the administrative aspects of electronic health records for compliance, focusing on patient data management and the tools used in the process. CEHRS exam questions for this section cover the following topics:

Example Tasks

• Verifying patient identifiers before documenting in the EHR.
• Collecting, recording and updating patient information.
• Generating encounter documentation like admission sheets and labels.
• Retrieving patient information from internal databases.
• Importing information into the EHR from integrated devices.

Example Knowledge Statements

• Categories of patient information to be included in the EHR.
• Patient identifiers like Medical Record Number (MRN) and EHR number.
• External information sources such as diagnostic laboratories and other EHR systems.
• General office skills, including copying, faxing and scanning.

Clinical Operations (32 Items)

This section emphasizes the clinical side of medical records specialists, from data templates to real-time data input and support for clinical documentation.

Example Tasks

• Developing clinical templates for data capture.
• Transmitting patient data internally and externally for research and continuity of care.
• Reviewing and monitoring clinical documentation for accuracy.
• Inputting real-time clinical data into the EHR.
• Documenting patient historical clinical data in the EHR.

Example Knowledge Statements

• Content included in clinical templates.
• Telehealth/telemedicine workflows.
• Requirements and procedures to securely transmit data.
• Types of clinical data to be entered during a patient visit.

Revenue Cycle/Finance (15 Items)

This section covers the financial aspects of EHRs, from coding to billing and insurance verification, ensuring accurate and efficient revenue management. CEHRS exam questions for this section might include topics such as:

Example Tasks

• Finding codes in databases like ICD, CPT and HCPCS.
• Navigating the EHR to create a superbill or encounter forms.
• Entering diagnosis and procedure codes billing information into the EHR.
• Verifying insurance and eligibility in the EHR.

Example Knowledge Statements

• The link between documentation accuracy and reimbursement.
• Types of codes such as CPT and ICD.
• Medical necessity and code linkage.
• Reimbursement systems and processes like Medicare and Medicaid.

Regulatory Compliance (15 Items)

This section focuses on the legal and professional standards governing EHRs, emphasizing the importance of data security, patient privacy and adherence to regulations.

Example Tasks

• Adhering to professional standards of care related to health records.
• Maintaining confidentiality and security of protected health information (PHI).
• Educating others about compliance with best practices to safeguard electronic information.
• Allocating access controls within the EHR system based on user roles.

Example Knowledge Statements

• Types of data considered as protected health information (PHI).
• HIPAA requirements.
• Best practices to maintain the security of electronic information.
• Legal ramifications related to inaccuracies in the EHR.

Reporting (10 Items)

This section is centered on generating and verifying reports from the EHR system, ensuring accurate data representation for various purposes, from financial to clinical outcomes.

Example Tasks

• Running and executing standardized financial and clinical reports.
• Generating ad hoc financial and clinical reports using fields in the EHR system.
• Compiling data from the EHR for external reporting.

Example Knowledge Statements

• Methods to generate reports, such as running queries and creating custom reports.
• Types and requirements of financial and clinical reports.
• Data mining and extraction methods.
• Quality improvement measures like average length of stay and patient outcomes.

How To Register For the CEHRS Exam

Registration for the CEHRS exam can be done through the NHA’s official website.

• Create a free NHA account.
• Submit your Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) exam application through your account portal.
• Submit your exam fee of $125 (MedCerts students can skip this fee, as it’s included in the cost of tuition).
• Choose whether you want to take the exam at a testing center or online.
• Pick an exam date.

Prepare To Pass: Take An Online CEHRS Exam Course

Preparation is key to acing the electronic health records specialist exam. MedCerts offers a comprehensive 12-week online program to prepare candidates for the CEHRS certification. The course covers all essential areas of the exam and includes access to certified electronic health records specialist practice exams.

Successful completion of a MedCerts preparation course offers several advantages:

Flexible Learning

MedCerts understands that everyone’s schedule is different. Their program is designed to fit into diverse lifestyles, allowing students to learn at their own pace. Plus, MedCerts’ 24/7 on-demand access ensures that the course materials are available whenever you’re ready to study.

Cost-Effective

Compared to traditional community colleges or other online institutions, MedCerts offers one of the most competitively priced ways to kickstart a new career. The program includes exam fees, books and materials.

Easy Enrollment

Starting your MedCerts journey is straightforward and hassle-free:

• Possess a high school diploma or its equivalent, GED.
• Have access to a web browser and a reliable internet connection to facilitate seamless learning.
• Complete the straightforward course registration process and finalize your payment.

CEHRS Exam FAQs

How long is the CEHRS exam?

The electronic medical records certification exam is 125 minutes long.

How much does the CEHRS exam cost?

The cost of the exam is $125. If you are a MedCerts student, your exam fee is covered by your tuition.

How many questions are on the exam?

There are 100 scored items and 25 pretest items.

What topics are covered in the electronic medical records certification exam?

The exam covers five main domains: Non-Clinical Operations; Clinical Operations; Revenue Cycle/Finance; Regulatory Compliance and Reporting.

What jobs can you get with a CEHRS Certification?

Job opportunities for health records professionals are available across the healthcare field, including hospitals, clinics, ambulatory healthcare facilities, nursing homes and mental health facilities. Some in-demand certified electronic health records specialist jobs include:

• Electronic Health Records Specialist
• Electronic Health Records and Reimbursement Specialist
• Allied Healthcare Professional
• Healthcare Administration Professional

What is a typical certified electronic health records specialist’s salary?

The standard EHR specialist salary or CEHRS average salary can range from $21,000 to $69,000, depending on your experience level.

Is there a course I can take to prepare for the exam?

Prepare For Your CEHRS Certification Today

Obtaining the electronic health records specialist certification means opening doors to new job opportunities and a rewarding long-term career in healthcare. Learn more about the online CEHRS preparation course offered by MedCerts.