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Certifications Overview
Special Incentives for HFMA Certified Healthcare Financial Professionals
In addition to the professional benefits discussed later, there are several incentive offerings from HFMA national and from your Colorado chapter.
- Ten percent off major Colorado chapter conference fees for certified or fellow members (annual, fall rural, and compliance conferences)
- Most exam takers prepare by ordering the e-learning study materials ("Healthcare Finance Core Curriculum"). The chapter can order the on-line material license for you at a 10% discount. Contact the certification Chairs, Chip Davis or Chad Krcil, to place your order. There is an approximate 2-week turnaround for the materials acquired through the chapter (vs. immediate access if purchasing at full-price through the HFMA website).
The HFMA Colorado chapter has two designated certification chairs, Chip Davis and Chad Krcil. Contact them if you have any questions.
Changes to Certification
Effective January 1, 2011, the certification requirements, exam and exam study materials are changing.
- The exam will be given at, and proctored by, Castle Worldwide exam sites (vs. proctored by chapter members). There are 12 sites in Colorado: 11 in the Front Range, from Pueblo to Ft. Collins/Greeley, and one in Durango.
- The exam will be comprehensive, covering six areas: revenue cycle; disbursements; budgeting and forecasting; internal control; financial reporting; and contract management (vs. the historical core and specialty exams). The exam will be 150 questions over 4 hours.
- Registration for the exam is through Castle Worldwide (via the certification section of HFMA website). Eligibility to register for the exam is 3-5 years financial management experience and a current member of HFMA (no longer a 2-year membership requirement to sit for the exam).
- Upon passing the exam, you are immediately certified. Castle Worldwide will send you your certificate (no longer required to apply for certification at HFMA after passing exams).
- The study materials are purchased and accessible through the internet for a period of 12 months. There is no longer a hard copy addition available and the internet version is not printable.
- The exam is $395 and the study materials are $195. The total of $590 to take the exams and be certified is $385 less than previous years ($125 for the study materials for each exam, $325 to sit for each exam and $75 to apply for certification, totaling $975 prior to 2011).
- The exam and study materials plan to be updated annually, on January 1 (vs. every 2 years).
- The coaching course will be a facilitation of case studies (vs. teaching of facts and figures). The coaching course will be provided by the chapter at the annual and fall rural conferences, as in the past.
- Obtaining the Fellow of the HFMA (FHFMA) requirements has not changed.
About HFMA's Certification Programs
HFMA's certification programs prepare you for increasingly responsible positions in the healthcare finance industry. Certification demonstrates your comprehensive understanding of healthcare financial management overall.
The HFMA Board of Examiners has restructured the CHFP certification program. The CHFP (Certified Healthcare Financial Professional) certification is designed for mid-level healthcare finance professionals who aspire to the executive level or desire confirmation of financial management expertise. The changes took effect in January 2011. Under the new certification model the requirements are:
- a minimum of 3-5 years healthcare financial management experience
- successful completion of the CHFP certification examination
- current HFMA membership
If you have any questions about your eligibility, particularly work experience, contact the HFMA Certification Department at certification@hfma.org, or call 1-800-252-4362 and ask for Joe Abel.
HFMA offers two levels of certification, the Certified Financial Professional (CHFP) and Fellow of the HFMA (FHFMA).
- Certified Healthcare Financial Professional (CHFP): Requirements include successful completion of the HFMA Certification Exam, 3 to 5 years of management experience, and membership with HFMA. Learn more about earning the CHFP designation.
- Fellow of the Healthcare Financial Management Association (FHFMA): Available only to recipients of the CHFP designation, Fellowship in HFMA represents exemplary educational achievement, experience, and volunteer service to the healthcare finance industry. Learn more about earning the FHFMA designation.
For further information: