How To Become a Health Information Technician (HIT)

If you're interested in a career that combines healthcare and technology, understanding the education and certification pathways can help you explore becoming a health information technician. The path may involve completing an accredited degree program and pursuing professional certification. Understanding the steps involved can help you better understand the educational and certification pathways associated with this field.¹,²

Most health information technicians begin by earning a Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)-accredited associate degree, then may pursue RHIT^® certification through American Health Information Management Association^® (AHIMA^®).¹

Education To Become a Health Information Technician

A common first step toward this career may be completing an accredited associate degree in a health information field. Rasmussen University's HIT Associate of Applied Science program is accredited by the CAHIIM, and is designed to help students build skills in areas such as information policy, managing medical records and patient health records, revenue cycle management, data management, and health care technologies.¹

Accreditation is an important consideration when choosing a program. As discussed below, graduating from a CAHIIM-accredited Health Information Management program at the associate degree level may be one of the eligibility pathways for pursuing the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT^®) certification.²

Pursuing the RHIT^® Certification

After completing an accredited program, some graduates choose to pursue professional certification. According to AHIMA, the RHIT certification may suit professionals whose work involves checking that health records are complete, accurate, and entered correctly into computer systems, as well as those who focus on assigning diagnosis and procedure codes for billing and research purposes.²

AHIMA describes the process of earning the RHIT certification in four general steps:²

1. Meet the eligibility requirements. One pathway typically involves finishing the academic requirements of a CAHIIM-accredited HIM program at the associate degree level. Another could apply to graduates of an HIM program approved by a foreign association that holds a reciprocity agreement with AHIMA.
2. Prepare for the exam. Candidates typically use a range of additional resources to prepare for the material covered on the RHIT exam, which may include data content, structure, and information governance; access, disclosure, patient confidentiality, and security; and data analytics.
3. Apply and schedule the exam. Candidates then create an account with AHIMA, submit an application, provide transcripts, and schedule the exam.
4. Maintain the certification. After earning the credential, candidates maintain it by completing continuing education requirements over the certification period.

Rasmussen University's HIT Associate’s degree program is designed to help prepare students for the RHIT^® certification exam, and for qualified students, the first attempt's application fee is covered within the program's total tuition and fees.¹

What Skills Are Helpful To Become a Health Information Technician?

Becoming a health information technician typically involves developing skills across the full health information life cycle. Rasmussen University's HIT program identifies the following skill areas as relevant to this field:¹

Patient Information Management

Learn to manage patient data and patient information to help ensure the privacy and patient confidentiality of medical records, utilizing policies and technology.¹

Revenue Cycle Management

Develop knowledge related to determining diagnoses and procedure codes to support medical billing and coding within revenue cycle processes.¹

Data Management

Develop skills related to health care data analysis, collection, presentation, and reporting of medical data utilizing health information databases and technology.¹

Healthcare Technologies

Learn how information technology may be used in health information management functions, with an understanding of emerging consumer engagement technologies such as telehealth, patient portals, and electronic health records.¹

Courses in a Health Information Technician Program

Coursework in a health information technician program may help build technical and management knowledge across the field, including medical terminology, coding, and data analytics. Sample courses in Rasmussen University's program can include:¹

• Revenue Cycle Management
• Data Analytics and Informatics in Healthcare
• Management and Leadership in Health Information

Together, these courses are designed to help build the coding, data, and health information management knowledge that health information roles draw on, and that support students in preparing to pursue the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA^®) Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT^®) exam.

Health Information Technician Program Overview

Rasmussen University's Health Information Technician program is an online Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree that builds knowledge in areas like coding, revenue cycle management, and health data, the kind of foundation health information roles draw on. It's also designed to help students prepare to pursue the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA^®) Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT^®) exam.¹

What Can You Do With a Health Information Technician Degree?

Graduates may pursue a variety of entry-level opportunities depending on their education, experience, certifications, geographic location, and employer requirements. Typical career paths associated with Rasmussen University's HIT program may include:¹

• Health information technician
• Health information data collection and analysis specialist
• Electronic health records (EHR) specialist
• Release of information specialist
• Medical coder / biller-analyst / auditor
• Revenue cycle reimbursement specialist
• Compliance auditor / specialist
• Patient care coordinator

These roles may be found across a range of healthcare settings, including hospitals, physicians' offices, insurance companies, and health information technology vendors. Some roles may require additional education, certifications, or experience depending on the employer and specific position.¹

Explore Rasmussen University's Online HIT Program

Rasmussen University's online Health Information Technician associate degree offers CAHIIM-accredited, fully online coursework, AHIMA^® virtual labs, and a professional practice experience designed to help students build skills that can support patient care and the broader healthcare system. The program may also serve as a first step toward the Health Information Management bachelor's degree for those interested in further study in health information management.¹

If you're exploring how to become a health information technician, request more information to learn how Rasmussen University's program may help you build the skills and certification preparation relevant to pursuing this path.¹

Earning a degree does not guarantee employment or specific job outcomes. Employment conditions in your area may vary.

¹Rasmussen University, Health Information Technician (HIT) Associate Degree, at https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/health-sciences/health-information-management/hit-associates/ (accessed June 1, 2026).
²American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA^®), Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT^®), at https://www.ahima.org/certification-careers/certifications-overview/rhit/ (accessed June 1, 2026).

American Health Information Management Association^® is a registered trademark of American Health Information Management Association 201 West Lake Street, #226, Chicago, Illinois, United States 60606.
AHIMA^® is a registered trademark of American Health Information Management Association 201 West Lake Street, #226, Chicago, Illinois, United States 60606.
RHIT^® is a registered trademark of American Health Information Management Association 201 West Lake Street, #226, Chicago, Illinois, United States 60606.