WASHINGTON – On Friday the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) announced the initial release of the Health Information Technology Professionals Examinations to identify highly skilled health IT experts.

The exams allow individuals to demonstrate their level of skill in competencies identified as essential for key health IT professional workforce roles. The exams will also enable healthcare providers and other employers to assess the health IT competencies of their staffs. Employers who must effectively implement and support the use of health IT to achieve their goals can use the exams to identify additional training needs for existing staff and more accurately define their remaining personnel needs.  Institutions of higher education can utilize the exams to evaluate and improve their health IT programs.
 
The National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, Farzad Mostashari said, "Hospitals, health professionals, vendors, and even ONC grantees will benefit from knowing they are employing professionals with a proven skill set.  The exam provides an opportunity for health IT professionals to demonstrate their competencies, and affords employers an opportunity to measure the caliber of their workforce in order to strengthen deficiencies."
 
The Health IT Professionals Exams are open to individuals now. The six exams are aligned with the roles and training provided by ONC's Community College Consortia program, which include:

•  Clinician/Practitioner Consultant
•  Implementation Manager
•  Implementation Support Specialist
•  Practice Workflow & Information Management Redesign Specialist
• Technical/Software Support Staff
• Trainer

 Vouchers to take an exam free of charge will be available for 27,500 U.S. health IT workers.  Individuals eligible for the free exam voucher include students trained through the Community College Consortia program and other individuals with relevant experience, training, or education in healthcare or information technology.  Vouchers will be accepted and the exam administered at 230 U.S. testing centers.
 
Individuals who cannot obtain a voucher, or who wish to take more than one exam can make reservations to take exams with Pearson VUE, a technology-based testing business, either by telephone (888-944-8776) or online.  The cost of the first exam for individuals without a voucher is $299. The cost for individuals re-taking an exam for the same role, or taking an additional exam for another role is $199.