How do I renew my CPHIMS certification?

How long the certification lasts, the two ways to renew it, the hours you need, and what happens if you let it lapse.

In short: CPHIMS is valid for three years. You renew it either with 45 hours of continuing education during those three years plus the renewal fee, or by passing the exam again. If you do neither by the expiration date, you are no longer certified.

What are the two ways to renew CPHIMS?

	Continuing education	Re-examination
What you do	Complete 45 clock hours of continuing professional education in the three-year period and report them in your HIMSS record.	Pass the CPHIMS exam again.
When	Apply up to six months before the expiration date, and no later than that date.	Pass no more than six months before the expiration date, and no later than that date.
What you pay	The renewal fee.	The exam fee for this route. No separate renewal fee.

What counts toward the 45 hours?

Attending conferences of professional organizations.
Completing online courses.
Attending or teaching academic courses.
Other activities listed in the HIMSS renewal requirements.

Two conditions to plan for from the first year:

At least 2 hours must be about ethics or conflicts of interest.
At least 25 of the 45 hours must come from HIMSS or from HIMSS-approved providers.

There is no upper limit on the hours you may report. Keep the proof of each activity as you go; entering three years of hours from memory is the hard way.

When should I apply, and how long does it take?

The renewal application is online, in your HIMSS record. You may submit it up to six months early. Processing takes about eight weeks, after which you can print a certificate with the new expiration date. HIMSS emails a reminder as a courtesy, but watching the date is your responsibility, so keep your contact details current.

What does renewal cost?

By continuing education: 359 US dollars for a HIMSS member and 479 for a non-member. By re-examination: 359 dollars (HIMSS fee list, read on 9 October 2026). All fees are on the cost page.

What happens if I do not renew?

You are no longer considered certified and may not use the CPHIMS credential: not on a business card, an email signature, a profile or a directory listing. To be certified again you sit and pass the exam, under the usual fees and rules.

Sources

HIMSS, CPHIMS Candidate Handbook (May 2024 edition): renewal of certification, failing to renew.
The recertification and CPHIMS pages of the HIMSS site (himss.org), read on 9 October 2026: fees, and the hours required from HIMSS or approved providers.

Try exam-style questions

A 30-question trial exam with an explanation for every option and a score per domain. Free, no payment method needed.

Start the trial exam

Questions about the exam: CPHIMS guide · Exam cost · Eligibility · Passing score · Exam day · How long to study · Is it worth it?

The four domains: Healthcare and Technology Environments · Clinical Informatics · Healthcare Information and Systems Management · Management and Leadership

Facts checked against the HIMSS candidate handbook and the HIMSS site on 9 October 2026; HIMSS may change them, so confirm on its site before you apply or pay. An independent site, not affiliated with or endorsed by HIMSS. CPHIMS® is a registered trademark of HIMSS.