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9 Best Healthcare Administration Certifications of 2026
This list is for healthcare managers and administrators, and people working toward those roles, who want a certification that helps them move up. We compared documented requirements, exam formats and published fees for nine credentials from ACHE, MGMA, NAHQ, HFMA, AHIMA and AAPC, from senior leadership fellowships to focused credentials in revenue cycle, quality, privacy and compliance. Scores weigh features (career value, recognition and scope) at 40 percent and ease of access (prerequisites, delivery options) and value at 30 percent each. Fees are U.S. prices for one attempt; many bodies charge less to members.
By the Mojolin research desk · Updated November 10, 2026 · 9 tools compared · Prices checked on vendor pages, latest November 10, 2026
Questions or corrections: editorial@mojolin.com
Mojolin is self-funded How we score
FACHE is our top pick for healthcare administrators who already have a graduate degree and five years of management experience, since it is the closest thing the field has to board certification for executives. Practice administrators should choose MGMA's CMPE, which has the lowest exam fee here and on-demand remote testing. For quality and patient safety leaders, NAHQ's CPHQ is the clear choice. Earlier in a career, HFMA's CRCR and AAPC's CPPM are the most accessible ways to show management-ready knowledge, while AHIMA's RHIA is the standard for health information management graduates.
Top picks
Best overall
ACHE FACHE (Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives)
8.3 / 10
Hospital and health system leaders with a master's degree and five or more years in healthcare management.
Read the review →Runner-up
MGMA ACMPE CMPE (Certified Medical Practice Executive)
8.2 / 10
Practice administrators and managers of physician groups who want a board certification focused on medical practice operations.
Read the review →Also great
NAHQ CPHQ (Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality)
8.1 / 10
Quality managers, patient safety officers and administrators who lead accreditation and improvement work.
Read the review →Comparison table
| # | Tool | Pricing | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ACHE FACHE (Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives) | Hospital and health system leaders with a master's degree and five or more years in healthcare management. | $250 nonrefundable application fee plus a $225 exam fee; one year of ACHE membership is also required | 8.3 |
| 2 | MGMA ACMPE CMPE (Certified Medical Practice Executive) | Practice administrators and managers of physician groups who want a board certification focused on medical practice operations. | $167 registration fee per exam; two exams are required and MGMA membership is needed to register | 8.2 |
| 3 | NAHQ CPHQ (Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality) | Quality managers, patient safety officers and administrators who lead accreditation and improvement work. | $714 for non-members, $500 for standard members and $357 for premium members (U.S. exam) | 8.1 |
| 4 |  HFMA CRCR (Certified Revenue Cycle Representative) | Revenue cycle staff and supervisors in patient access, billing and patient financial services. | Free for HFMA members; $399 for non-members, course and assessment included | 8.0 |
| 5 |  AHIMA RHIA (Registered Health Information Administrator) | Graduates of CAHIIM-accredited HIM bachelor's or master's programs heading into health information management. | $299 for non-members, $229 for AHIMA members; retakes cost the same | 7.9 |
| 6 |  AAPC CPPM (Certified Physician Practice Manager) | Coders and billers moving into practice management, and practice managers without a graduate degree. | Exam voucher from $425; optional online prep course from $1,195 | 7.8 |
| 7 | HFMA CHFP (Certified Healthcare Financial Professional) | Finance managers and clinical or nonclinical leaders who need a broad grounding in healthcare finance. | Included with HFMA membership; not available to non-members (membership price check pending) | 7.7 |
| 8 | AHIMA CHPS (Certified in Healthcare Privacy and Security) | Privacy officers, HIPAA managers and security leads in hospitals, practices and health plans. | $329 for non-members, $259 for AHIMA members; retakes cost the same | 7.5 |
| 9 | AAPC CPCO (Certified Professional Compliance Officer) | Administrators, auditors and billing leaders who oversee a compliance program. | Exam voucher from $425 | 7.4 |
Scoring weights
Every tool gets three editorial scores out of 10, from vendor documentation, product pages and the published price. The overall score is the weighted average below, the same method on every list. Full method
The full ranking
Rank 1 · Best overall
ACHE FACHE (Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives)
The American College of Healthcare Executives' board certification in healthcare management, earned through experience, references and the Board of Governors Exam.
ache.org8.3
out of 10
Best for: Hospital and health system leaders with a master's degree and five or more years in healthcare management.
FACHE is the credential most closely tied to senior healthcare administration. ACHE describes it as board certification in healthcare management, and the requirements read like a leadership résumé: one year of ACHE membership, a master's or other post-baccalaureate degree, a current healthcare management job with five years of management experience, 36 continuing education credits in the past three years, four volunteer activities and two references, one of them an interview with a current Fellow. Only then do you pay the $250 application fee and, once approved, the $225 Board of Governors Exam fee. You have two years from approval to pass. ACHE sells a review course, books and flashcards, and local chapters often run study groups. The barrier to entry is the point: the credential signals that a peer group has vetted your career, not just your test score. For anyone below the experience bar, it is a goal to plan toward rather than a certification to buy now.
Standout feature
The only credential on this list that combines a graduate degree, five years of management experience, peer references and a board exam.
Use cases
Hospital department directors
Signal readiness for vice president or C-suite roles
Outcome: A peer-vetted fellowship that executive search firms and boards recognize
Health system administrators with an MHA
Formalize years of management experience
Outcome: Board certification in healthcare management after one exam
Key features
- Board certification in healthcare management from ACHE
- Board of Governors Exam in Healthcare Management, $225 exam fee after approval
- Requires a master's or other post-baccalaureate degree
- Requires a current healthcare management position and five years of management experience
- Approved applications stay valid for two years to pass the exam
Pros
- ACHE calls it the most recognized credential of a healthcare leader's competency
- Combined fees of $475 are modest for a senior executive credential
- ACHE sells a review course, study bundle and flashcards, and many chapters run study groups
Cons
- Needs a graduate degree, five years of management experience and one year of ACHE membership
- 36 continuing education credits, four volunteer activities and two references come before the application
- Not suited to early career staff or people outside hospital and health system management
Rank 2 · Runner-up
MGMA ACMPE CMPE (Certified Medical Practice Executive)
MGMA's American College of Medical Practice Executives board certification for leaders of physician groups and medical practices.
mgma.com8.2
out of 10
Best for: Practice administrators and managers of physician groups who want a board certification focused on medical practice operations.
The CMPE is the practice-side counterpart to FACHE. ACMPE, MGMA's certifying body, has run board certification for more than 60 years, and its program is built around the Body of Knowledge for medical practice executives. You apply, then complete two exams and 50 continuing education hours within three years. The multiple choice exam has 175 items in three hours and 15 minutes; the scenario exam has 90 multi-select, multiple-choice or drag and drop items tied to 18 to 25 practice administration scenarios in two hours. Each costs $167. You can test on demand with as little as two days' notice at more than 500 Meazure Learning sites or with a live remote proctor, though there is no testing in July or September. The catch is that you must be an MGMA member, and the scenario exam opens only after MGMA validates your education and experience. For group practice administrators, the fit and the price are hard to beat.
Standout feature
A practice-management board certification with on-demand and remote testing at $167 per exam.
Use cases
Practice administrators
Prove they can run finance, HR and operations for a physician group
Outcome: A board certification built for medical practice leadership
Office managers moving up
Structure their development toward an executive role
Outcome: A three-year plan with two exams and 50 CE hours
Key features
- Multiple choice exam with 175 items in three hours and 15 minutes
- Scenario exam with 90 items across 18 to 25 practice administration scenarios in two hours
- On-demand testing at over 500 Meazure Learning locations or live remote proctoring
- 50 continuing education hours required
- Three years from application to finish the requirements
Pros
- Lowest exam fee on this list at $167 per exam
- Book an exam with as little as two days' notice for most of the year
- Remote proctoring lets you test from a location of your choice
Cons
- MGMA membership and acceptance into the program are required before you can register
- The scenario exam is open only after education and experience requirements are validated
- No testing in July or September, and exam purchases cannot be refunded or extended past 14 months
Rank 3 · Also great
NAHQ CPHQ (Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality)
The National Association for Healthcare Quality's certification in healthcare quality, patient safety and performance improvement.
nahq.org8.1
out of 10
Best for: Quality managers, patient safety officers and administrators who lead accreditation and improvement work.
If the question is which certification is best for healthcare quality, the CPHQ is the clear answer. NAHQ calls it the only accredited certification in healthcare quality, and the exam outline covers the full scope of a quality leader's job: health data analytics, patient safety, quality review and accountability, regulatory and accreditation work, quality leadership and integration, performance and process improvement, and population health and care transitions. U.S. candidates can test year round at more than 100 computer testing centers or online with a live remote proctor, and must sit the exam within 90 days of applying. The non-member fee of $714 is the highest exam fee on this list, but standard members pay $500 and premium members $357, and NAHQ was advertising a $100 discount through November 13 when we checked. For administrators whose job touches accreditation surveys, safety events or quality metrics, it is the most targeted credential available.
Standout feature
NAHQ's accredited quality credential, testable year round from home or at 100+ U.S. centers.
Use cases
Quality improvement managers
Lead accreditation readiness and performance improvement
Outcome: An accredited credential that matches the quality role
Nurse managers moving into administration
Add data, safety and regulatory skills to clinical experience
Outcome: A path into quality director roles
Key features
- Covers health data analytics, patient safety, quality review, regulatory and accreditation work
- Also covers quality leadership, performance improvement, population health and care transitions
- Offered year round at more than 100 U.S. testing centers
- Online exam with a live remote proctor
- Digital badge and printable certificate through Credly
Pros
- NAHQ describes it as the only accredited certification in healthcare quality
- Year-round U.S. testing, in person or online
- Member pricing cuts the fee to $500 or $357
Cons
- Highest non-member exam fee on this list at $714
- Focused on quality and safety rather than general administration
- U.S. candidates must sit the exam within 90 days of applying
Rank 4
HFMA CRCR (Certified Revenue Cycle Representative)
The Healthcare Financial Management Association's self-study program and online assessment on the patient-centered revenue cycle.
hfma.org8.0
out of 10
Best for: Revenue cycle staff and supervisors in patient access, billing and patient financial services.
The CRCR is the easiest credential on this list to start today. HFMA bundles a key concepts guide, four course units and the certification assessment into one online program that costs $399 for non-members and nothing for HFMA members. The units follow the patient financial experience from pre-service through time of service to post-service, with learning objectives on reducing denials, simplifying collections and staying compliant. The assessment has 75 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes, and you need 70% to pass; if you fail, there is a 30-day wait, but you keep access to the course and a summary of how you did on each unit. HFMA recommends one or more years of revenue cycle experience. The program earns 14.0 CPE credits. Its limits are scope and freshness: it covers the revenue cycle only, and HFMA lists May 2023 as the last content revision. For revenue cycle supervisors, it is a quick, low-cost proof of competence.
Standout feature
A fully online revenue cycle certification that is free with HFMA membership.
Use cases
Patient access supervisors
Show command of front-end financial processes
Outcome: A recognized revenue cycle credential earned online
Billing team leads
Train a team on denials and collections
Outcome: A shared standard and 14 CPE credits
Key features
- Online self-study program with a key concepts guide and course modules
- Four units: revenue cycle overview, pre-service, time of service and post-service financial care
- Assessment of 75 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes, passing score 70%
- 14.0 CPE credits from a NASBA-registered sponsor
- Course access stays open during the 30-day wait before a retake
Pros
- No exam center needed: the course and assessment are fully online
- Included free with HFMA membership
- Short and practical, with one or more years of revenue cycle experience recommended
Cons
- Narrower than a management credential: it covers the revenue cycle only
- Content was last revised in May 2023
- Carries less weight for senior leadership roles than FACHE or CMPE
Rank 5
AHIMA RHIA (Registered Health Information Administrator)
AHIMA's credential for health information management leaders who manage people, budgets and patient data operations.
ahima.org7.9
out of 10
Best for: Graduates of CAHIIM-accredited HIM bachelor's or master's programs heading into health information management.
The RHIA is the administrator-level credential in health information management, and AHIMA aims it at people who manage people and operational units, sit on administrative committees and help prepare budgets. It is not an open-door exam: you need to complete a CAHIIM-accredited HIM bachelor's, master's or post-baccalaureate certificate program, or a reciprocal foreign program. The exam has 150 questions, 130 of them scored, with three hours and thirty minutes to finish, and it is taken at a Pearson VUE center. Domains include revenue management and management and leadership. AHIMA is unusually open about outcomes: 13,848 people held the RHIA at the end of 2025, and 67% of first-time testers passed in 2025. The fee is $299, or $229 for members, and you recertify every two years with CEUs and a fee. For HIM graduates who want to run records, privacy or data teams, it is the standard credential to hold.
Standout feature
AHIMA publishes holder counts and pass rates: 13,848 RHIAs and a 67% first-time pass rate in 2025.
Use cases
HIM bachelor's graduates
Qualify for HIM manager roles
Outcome: The administrator-level AHIMA credential
Health information directors
Show leadership over records, coding and data teams
Outcome: A credential employers list for HIM leadership
Key features
- 150 questions (130 scored) in three hours and thirty minutes
- Domains include revenue management and management and leadership
- Computer-based exam at Pearson VUE testing centers
- Two-year certification period with CEUs and a recertification fee
- Optional AHIMA prep with two practice exams and 820 questions
Pros
- 13,848 certified RHIA professionals as of December 31, 2025, per AHIMA
- AHIMA publishes first-time pass rates: 67% in 2025
- Fee of $299, or $229 for members, is moderate
Cons
- Requires completing a CAHIIM-accredited HIM degree or certificate program
- Exam must be taken at a Pearson VUE center
- Recertification every two years with CEUs and a fee
Rank 6
AAPC CPPM (Certified Physician Practice Manager)
AAPC's practice management credential covering finance, compliance, HR, health IT and patient relations in physician practices.
aapc.com7.8
out of 10
Best for: Coders and billers moving into practice management, and practice managers without a graduate degree.
The CPPM is the most direct route from the coding and billing desk to practice management. AAPC built it for people who want to move beyond coding or billing into administrative and leadership roles, and the syllabus covers what a practice manager actually does: budgeting, accounting and payer contracts; HIPAA, OSHA and fraud and abuse compliance; hiring, training and employment law; EHR oversight and data security; and patient satisfaction and quality reporting. There is no degree or years-of-experience gate, but AAPC is blunt that it is a difficult, high-level exam not intended for people with limited practice management background. Exam vouchers start at $425, and you can test at home with a live remote proctor or at a center. AAPC's self-paced course starts at $1,195. To keep the credential you renew AAPC membership every year and earn 36 CEUs every two years. Compared with the CMPE, it is easier to access but carries less executive weight.
Standout feature
A practice management credential with no degree requirement and an at-home exam option.
Use cases
Certified coders
Move into a practice manager role
Outcome: A credential that covers finance, HR and compliance
Small practice office managers
Formalize years of on-the-job experience
Outcome: A recognized practice management credential with no degree gate
Key features
- Covers business and financial management, including payer contracts and revenue cycle
- Covers compliance and risk management, including HIPAA, OSHA and fraud and abuse laws
- Covers human resources, office management, health IT and patient relations
- Online exam with a live remote proctor or at a testing center
- Optional self-paced online prep course
Pros
- No degree requirement listed, unlike FACHE or RHIA
- Take the exam from home with a live remote proctor
- Broad syllabus that matches the day-to-day job of a practice manager
Cons
- AAPC warns it is a difficult exam not meant for people with limited practice management background
- Keeping it requires annual AAPC membership and 36 CEUs every two years
- Prep course adds $1,195 or more to the cost
Rank 7
HFMA CHFP (Certified Healthcare Financial Professional)
HFMA's flagship healthcare finance certification, earned by completing two online modules included with membership.
hfma.org7.7
out of 10
Best for: Finance managers and clinical or nonclinical leaders who need a broad grounding in healthcare finance.
The CHFP is HFMA's flagship credential and the broadest finance certification on this list. HFMA pitches it at financial professionals, clinical and nonclinical leaders and health plans, anyone whose job requires a deep understanding of the financial realities of health care. You earn it by completing two online modules in order. HFMA Business of Health Care covers risk mitigation, evolving payment models, healthcare accounting and cost analysis, strategic finance and financial resource management, and ends with an assessment you must pass. Operational Excellence then applies that knowledge through exercises and case-based scenarios. There is no separate exam fee: both modules are included in HFMA all-access membership, but non-members cannot enroll, and you must keep a professional or business partner membership to hold the credential. That makes the true cost the membership itself. For department heads who need to talk budgets and payment models with the CFO, it is a practical, structured upgrade.
Standout feature
HFMA's flagship finance credential, earned through online modules at no extra cost to members.
Use cases
Clinical department managers
Learn payment models and cost analysis
Outcome: Better budget conversations with finance leadership
Revenue cycle managers with a CRCR
Broaden from revenue cycle to strategic finance
Outcome: HFMA's flagship credential
Key features
- Two modules: HFMA Business of Health Care and Operational Excellence
- Business of Health Care covers payment models, healthcare accounting, cost analysis and strategic finance
- Operational Excellence uses exercises and case-based scenarios
- Built around business acumen, collaboration, financial strategy and future trends
- Included in HFMA all-access membership
Pros
- HFMA's flagship certification, aimed at finance and clinical leaders alike
- No separate exam fee for members
- Online modules instead of a proctored exam
Cons
- Only available to HFMA members, and membership is required to keep the credential
- Student members earn the designation only after moving to professional or business partner status
- Finance-only scope
Rank 8
AHIMA CHPS (Certified in Healthcare Privacy and Security)
AHIMA's credential for professionals who run healthcare privacy and security programs.
ahima.org7.5
out of 10
Best for: Privacy officers, HIPAA managers and security leads in hospitals, practices and health plans.
For administrators who own HIPAA compliance, the CHPS is the most specific credential available from a major health information body. AHIMA sets eligibility on a ladder: six years of healthcare privacy or security experience with a high school diploma, four with an associate degree or an RHIT or coding credential, and two with a bachelor's degree or an RHIA. The exam has 150 questions, 125 of them scored, with three and a half hours to finish, and it can be taken at a Pearson VUE center or at home through OnVue remote proctoring. You need a scaled score of 300 to pass, and 68% of first-time testers passed in 2025. The fee is $329, or $259 for AHIMA members, and a retake means a new application and a 90-day wait. The credential is small, with 715 holders at the end of 2025, which cuts both ways: it is distinctive on a résumé but less familiar to some hiring managers.
Standout feature
A healthcare privacy and security credential you can test for at home.
Use cases
Practice privacy officers
Formalize HIPAA program responsibilities
Outcome: A dedicated privacy and security credential
HIM managers with an RHIA
Add privacy and security leadership
Outcome: Eligibility after two years of privacy or security work
Key features
- 150 questions (125 scored) in three and a half hours
- Pearson VUE testing center or OnVue remote proctoring at home
- Passing score of 300
- Eligibility combines education with two to six years of privacy or security experience
- Four competency domains in the exam content outline
Pros
- Remote proctoring available, unlike the RHIA
- Clear eligibility ladder: more education means fewer required years
- AHIMA publishes pass rates: 68% for first-time testers in 2025
Cons
- Small credential: 715 holders as of December 31, 2025
- Requires at least two years of healthcare privacy or security experience
- 90-day wait before a retake
Rank 9
AAPC CPCO (Certified Professional Compliance Officer)
AAPC's credential for running healthcare compliance programs, from fraud and abuse laws to internal audits.
aapc.com7.4
out of 10
Best for: Administrators, auditors and billing leaders who oversee a compliance program.
The CPCO fills a specific gap for administrators who are handed the compliance officer role. AAPC designed it for coders, billers, auditors and administrators who want to move into compliance leadership, and the syllabus covers the elements of an effective compliance program, the federal enforcement agencies, and the main fraud and abuse laws: HIPAA, the False Claims Act, the Anti-Kickback Statute and Stark Law. It also covers risk assessments, internal audits and investigations, corrective action plans, and the work of training staff and reporting. AAPC says candidates should undertake training or have two years of experience working with compliance programs, and should know the daily operational side as well as the penalties. Exam vouchers start at $425, with the option to test at home with a live remote proctor. Maintenance mirrors the CPPM: annual AAPC membership and 36 CEUs every two years. It is a solid, focused credential, but it will not stand in for a general management certification.
Standout feature
Covers the False Claims Act, Anti-Kickback Statute and Stark Law in one at-home exam.
Use cases
Practice administrators
Take on the compliance officer role
Outcome: Documented knowledge of fraud and abuse laws and audit practice
Billing and coding auditors
Move into compliance leadership
Outcome: A credential aimed at running compliance programs
Key features
- Covers the elements of an effective compliance program and enforcement agencies
- Covers HIPAA, the False Claims Act, the Anti-Kickback Statute and Stark Law
- Covers risk assessment, internal audits and corrective action plans
- Online exam with a live remote proctor or at a testing center
- Optional preparation and prerequisite courses
Pros
- Written for administrators responsible for compliance oversight
- Test from home with a live remote proctor
- Training or two years of compliance program experience is the suggested background
Cons
- Narrow scope compared with a general management credential
- Keeping it requires annual AAPC membership and 36 CEUs every two years
- Assumes deep familiarity with compliance operations and penalties
Frequently asked questions
+What is the best certification in healthcare administration?
FACHE from the American College of Healthcare Executives is our top pick for experienced leaders. It is board certification in healthcare management, requires a master's degree and five years of management experience, and costs a $250 application fee plus a $225 exam fee. Practice administrators should consider MGMA's CMPE instead.
+What is the best certification to get in healthcare administration?
It depends on where you are. Senior hospital leaders should aim for FACHE, practice administrators for the CMPE at $167 per exam, and revenue cycle staff for HFMA's CRCR, which costs $399 or is free for HFMA members and is taken fully online.
+What is the best healthcare certification to get without a clinical background?
For people on the business side, HFMA's CRCR and AAPC's CPPM are the most accessible. Neither lists a degree requirement; the CRCR is an online course and 75-question assessment, and the CPPM exam starts at $425 and can be taken at home with a live remote proctor.
+What are the best certifications to have in healthcare management?
Our ranking puts FACHE first, followed by MGMA's CMPE, NAHQ's CPHQ, HFMA's CRCR and AHIMA's RHIA. Add a specialist credential such as CHPS for privacy or CPCO for compliance if those duties are part of your job.
+What is the best certification for healthcare quality?
NAHQ's CPHQ, which NAHQ describes as the only accredited certification in healthcare quality. It covers data analytics, patient safety, accreditation and performance improvement, and costs $714 for non-members or $357 to $500 for members, with year-round testing at U.S. centers or online.
+Which healthcare administration certification is cheapest?
HFMA's CRCR is free for HFMA members, and the CHFP is included with HFMA membership. Among exams sold to individuals, MGMA's CMPE has the lowest fee at $167 per exam, though two exams and MGMA membership are required.
About this list
Updated November 10, 2026 by the Mojolin research desk. Mojolin is self-funded
Questions or corrections: editorial@mojolin.com
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