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Workforce Development Program

Competency Examination Program

About the Program

In April 2010, ONC awarded $6 million in a two-year cooperative agreement to Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) External Links Disclaimer to develop health information technology (health IT) competency examinations for individuals completing short-term, non-degree training programs, and members of the workforce with relevant experience or others types of training.

About the Exams

The Health IT Professionals Exams will be open to individuals beginning on May 20, 2011. The six exams will each consist of 125 multiple-choice questions to be completed in three hours. The exam blueprints below detail the topics covered in each exam:

Taking the Exams

Individuals can make reservations to take exams with Pearson Vue either by telephone (888-944-8776) or online External Links Disclaimer. At that point, individuals may cancel or reschedule their reservations up to 48 hours before the appointment. In the absence of an emergency, individuals who fail to make their appointment will be charged a fee and will lose the free voucher.

The cost of the first exam for individuals without a voucher is $299, and $199 for individuals re-taking an exam or taking an additional exam for another role.

Vouchers for the Exams

Free exam vouchers, enabling individuals to take their first exam at no cost, will be available for students trained through the Community College Consortia program and for other individuals with relevant experience, training, or education in health care or IT. Vouchers will be available soon through Pearson Vue's Voucher Store External Links Disclaimer and may be ordered by the following institutions:

  • Members of the Community College Consortia
  • Other accredited academic institutions
  • State and local employment agencies
  • Health care providers

These institutions may distribute vouchers to individuals who meet the aforementioned criteria. The vouchers will expire four months after being ordered.