If you are wondering about how often different healthcare certifications need renewed, read on. In general, the career of healthcare administrator does not require specific certification. However, earning a certification or other designation from various professional societies can help you advance in the field and make you more attractive to potential employers, as well as providing valuable educational and networking opportunities. Read on to learn more about some of the certificates available for healthcare administrators and how often they need to be renewed.
Health Care Administrators Association
The Health Care Administrators Association is an association that specifically offers certification for those who are interested in becoming a health care administrator at a self-funded health care plan. With this certification, you'll take seven courses leading to the Certified Self Funding Specialist ® (CSFS ®) designation. For this certification, renewal is not required.
American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management
The American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management is a professional organization that offers a variety of executive designations for healthcare professionals, including certification as a Certified Revenue Cycle Executive (CRCE), Certified Compliance Technician (CCT), Certified Revenue Cycle Specialist (CRCS), and Certified Revenue Cycle Professional (CRCP). After earning certification, you must renew each year by taking a certain number of continuing education courses within your specific field; however, this number varies depending on the type of certification you hold.
American Hospital Association
The American Hospital Association is the premier professional association for those who work in a hospital setting and offers several certification programs for administrative professionals. These include the Certified Healthcare Constructor (CHC) certificate, which is valid for three years and requires 45 hours of continuing education during that time to be eligible for renewal; Certified Healthcare Environmental Services Professional (CHESP) certification, which is valid for three years and requires 45 hours of continuing education during that time to be eligible for renewal; Certified Healthcare Facility Manager (CHFM) certification, which is valid for three years and requires 45 hours of continuing education during that time to be eligible for renewal; Certified in Healthcare Human Resources (CHHR) certification, which is valid for three years and requires 45 hours of continuing education during that time to be eligible for renewal; and Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management (CPHRM), which is valid for three years and requires 45 hours of continuing education during that time to be eligible for renewal.
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Additional certifications are available depending on the area of healthcare administration you wish to pursue. This is one of the fastest growing and most lucrative careers in the United States, with 73,300 new jobs projected by 2022 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (a 23 percent increase). According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary in this field is $88,580, and typically only a bachelor's degree is required. Specific professional organizations have their own rules about how often different healthcare certifications need renewed, so you should contact them directly for additional information.