HFMA Certification Programs

HFMA's certification program seeks to bring stature to the profession of healthcare financial management as well as offer each qualified member an opportunity to upgrade their professional status.

In June 2004, there were significant changes in the HFMA certification program. The changes are included below and in the September/October 2004 Mountain Views Chapter Newsletter.

National HFMA has re-designed the certification process as well as the Founder’s point system. So for those members that are maintaining their certification or for those that are interested in becoming certified, these changes affect you!

The new requirements for becoming certified are as follows:

  • Successfully complete the Core and one Specialty exams within 2 years of completing the first exam
  • Minimum of two years of HFMA membership
  • Two years of professional experience in healthcare and/or financial management
  • Education requirements: 60-semester hours coursework at an accredited college or university OR 60 hours of relevant professional development as measured in contact hours; Transcript or copy of diploma required or proof of attendance for professional development activities
  • References: one from local chapter President and one from immediate supervisor
  • Application fee: $25

As you may note, there are no founder point requirements to become certified.

For those individuals that are certified and need to maintain their certification every three years, the following affects you:

  • Renew every three year after becoming certified to maintain designation
  • National will notify you in March and May of the year that you need to renew
  • Continuing education requirement for renewal is 90 Contact hours (based on a 50 minute contact hour) for a three year cycle with a minimum of 20 hours per year and a minimum of 45 contact hours per reporting period in the field of healthcare finance. 
  • The certified member is responsible for fulfilling maintenance requirements and updating an online education record by June 1 of the renewal year
  • $25 processing/administrative fee if there is a deficit in hours needed by June 1 (and national HFMA contacts you to make up the educational deficit)
  • Maintenance requirements not met by December 1 of the renewal year results in removal of designation. This means that you will have to retake the exams and submit a new application to become recertified!
  • Retired members are exempt from maintenance if HFMA is notified in writing of retired status.

Individuals that have to renew their certification in 2006 will be allowed to use either the old system or the new system for maintaining their certification. HFMA wants to make this transition as easy as possible for those individuals that are due to renew. Members required to renew their certification in 2007 forward will be required to meet the new maintenance requirements.

And for all of you that would like to become a FHFMA, there are new requirements for that as well!  FHFMA requirements as of June 1, 2004 are as follows:

  • Be a CHFP in good standing
  • Minimum of 5 years HFMA membership and be a current active member in good standing

More Information about certification can be obtained by any of the following

  • Sending an e-mail to certification@hfma.org
  • Calling 800-252-HFMA, ext. 311
  • Contacting any of the NH/VT Certification Committee members (listed below)