Access the 2014 Edition Test Method

Test Method Overview

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), in collaboration with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), developed the functional and conformance testing requirements, test cases, and test tools for the testing and certification of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) to the certification criteria adopted by the HHS Secretary. By adopting Certified EHR Technology (CEHRT) and attesting to Meaningful Use (MU), Eligible Professionals (EPs), Eligible Hospitals (EHs), and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) are eligible to receive incentive payments through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) EHR Incentive Programs.

The 2014 Edition Test Method (Test Procedures, Test Data, and Test Tools) will be used by testing laboratories and certification bodies to evaluate conformance and functionality of Complete EHRs and EHR Modules against the standards, implementation specifications, and certification criteria adopted by the HHS Secretary to support MU attestation beginning with EHR reporting periods in fiscal year and calendar year 2014. The Health Information Technology: Standards, Implementation Specifications, and Certification Criteria for Electronic Health Record Technology, 2014 Edition; Revisions to the Permanent Certification Program for Health Information Technology, Final Rule [PDF - 1.25MB], published on September 4, 2012, establishes the 2014 Edition EHR Certification Criteria used to develop the 2014 Test Method.

Developing the Test Method

Following the publication of the 2014 Edition Standards & Certification Criteria Final Rule, ONC began posting the 2014 Edition Draft Test Method in waves on the ONC website in September 2012. A two-week public review period followed the posting of each of the seven waves. ONC reviewed and considered each comment received from the public, but as previously indicated, will not publish the deliberation results or responses to comments. At the conclusion of the public review cycle, ONC updated the test materials and published the Final 2014 Edition Test Method following approval by the National Coordinator on December 14, 2012. Notice of the approval appears in the December 14, 2012 Federal Register. View the approved 2014 Edition Test Method.

Additional Information

The 2014 Edition Draft Test Method is now archived. Access the the 2014 Draft Test Method.

The 2011 Edition Test Method aligns with the 2011 Edition EHR Standards and Certification Criteria. View the 2011 Edition Test Method.

For addition information on certification, please visit our About Certification webpage.