The AHIOS Institute provides education, training and certification in the handling of patients’ personal health information. The AHIOS Institute’s CRIS (Certified Release of Information Specialist) program is a rigorous exam that tests an individual’s knowledge about how to protect the confidentiality of patients’ personal health information when that information is released to requestors.
The mission of the Certified Release of Information Specialist (CRIS) Certification Program is to protect patients and the public by establishing and maintaining a credible, rigorous standard of competency for professionals engaged in the release of protected health information. The CRIS credential recognizes individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge and judgment necessary to handle medical record requests in a manner that is accurate, compliant, and consistent with applicable federal and state law.
What is the CRIS? The Certified Release of Information Specialist (CRIS) is a professional credential awarded by the AHIOS Institute, a certification program of the Alliance for Health Information Operations and Standards (AHIOS). The CRIS credential provides independent, examination-based validation that the credential holder possesses the knowledge and applied judgment required to manage the release of protected health information (PHI) in a compliant, accurate, and ethical manner.
The CRIS is awarded to individuals who successfully pass a rigorous 100-question examination covering medical records fundamentals, release of information theory and practice, HIPAA privacy and security requirements, legal and sensitive information handling, and applied situational judgment. Certification decisions are based solely on examination performance and are not contingent on employer affiliation, professional association membership, or any other non-merit factor.
Credential Definition: For purposes of the CRIS Certification Program, a credential is a formal recognition awarded to an individual who has met predetermined standards of knowledge and competency and who maintains any applicable renewal requirements. The CRIS credential signifies that the holder has satisfied the eligibility requirements established by AHIOS and has demonstrated mastery of the CRIS content domains through successful completion of the certification examination.
Designation Definition: The designation associated with the CRIS credential is the post-nominal letters CRIS, which may be appended to the credential holder’s name (e.g., Jane Smith, CRIS). Use of the CRIS designation is a privilege granted only to individuals who have earned the credential and maintained it in good standing. The designation may not be used by individuals whose certification has lapsed, been suspended, or been revoked. Use of the designation in a misleading or unauthorized manner is prohibited and may result in legal action by AHIOS.
The CRIS credential is designed for health information and release of information professionals who are directly involved in the management and disclosure of protected health information on behalf of healthcare providers and facilities. The credential is appropriate for individuals who:
The CRIS is an entry-to-experienced-level credential. It is appropriate for individuals who have recently entered the ROI field with foundational HIM education or credentials, as well as for experienced ROI professionals who wish to formalize and document their competency. The examination is designed to reflect the full range of knowledge and situational judgment required of a proficient release of information specialist operating under current federal and state regulatory requirements.
The CRIS is not designed as a specialty or advanced practice credential. It measures the core competencies required for proficient performance across the breadth of the ROI role, rather than advanced expertise in any single subspecialty area.
A Study Guide and Application form is available for those connected to AHIOS Member Organizations. For more information on the CRIS, please reach out the AHIOS Education Committee at education@ahios.org.
