A career in healthcare administration can be both rewarding and financially stable, with strong projected job growth that is driven by the rising demand for increased healthcare services. In 2025, employers continue to seek certified healthcare administrators for roles in hospitals, nursing homes, and outpatient centers, where median salaries for medical and health services managers reached $117,960 as of the end of 2025.1
Because healthcare organizations will set high standards for themselves, professionals who pursue additional certifications can gain new skills in areas like compliance, risk management, or information systems while strengthening their credentials. These certifications not only demonstrate credibility but will also help candidates stay current with healthcare standards and practices.
Continue reading this article to learn which healthcare administration certifications are most valuable in 2025, the eligibility requirements you’ll need to meet, the benefits of certification, and even some free options to get started.
What Is a Healthcare Administrator Certification?
A healthcare administration certification is a professional credential that is awarded by organizations such as the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), or the National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ). These certifications validate that you have knowledge in areas like healthcare management, compliance, risk, or information systems.
To earn a certification, candidates typically have to pass a certification exam and meet the eligibility requirements, which often include relevant work experience and a degree in healthcare administration, health information management, or a related field. Unlike academic degrees, healthcare administration certifications focus on practical skills that are needed for leadership and compliance roles in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and insurance organizations. They also often require continuing education for renewal, ensuring professionals stay current with evolving healthcare standards.
How Much Do Healthcare Administrators Earn in 2025?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for medical and health services managers, which includes healthcare administrators, is $117,960 nationally.1 As with any other occupation, earnings will vary based on years of experience, job title, and type of healthcare facility.
Why Healthcare Administration Certifications Matter in 2025
Healthcare administration certifications are important because they demonstrate that you have met the recognized standards of knowledge and competency in the field. Earning a certification can help professionals demonstrate their specialized expertise to employers, which may improve their chances of qualifying for leadership roles in healthcare organizations.
In competitive fields like hospital administration and health information management, certifications such as the Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) or Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) can set applicants apart during the hiring process. These credentials will also reassure employers that their candidates are staying current with best practices and evolving healthcare standards.
Certifications Can Increase Your Credibility and Competencies
Healthcare administration certifications demonstrate that you are highly competent in the field. These certifications will validate your healthcare administration experience and skills, which makes it easier for employers to assess your qualifications. Many certifications, such as the FACHE, require multiple years of management experience before candidates can sit for the exam. Another, like the CPHQ credential, requires candidates to demonstrate expertise in areas such as performance improvement, patient safety, and health data analytics, which directly reflect core healthcare management competencies.
Certifications Prove That You Are Up-to-date With Healthcare Standards
Certified healthcare administrators are expected to maintain current knowledge of industry standards and best practices through continuing education and periodic recertification. This signals to employers that candidates are keeping pace with ever evolving healthcare regulations and protocols. Professionals must stay current with protocols, federal healthcare regulations, and patient safety standards to be effective in their roles. Many certifications, such as the Certified in Healthcare Compliance (CHC), require renewal every two years to ensure that professionals are remaining up to date with the most current healthcare laws and compliance requirements.
Certifications Can Expand Career Opportunities in Healthcare Administration
Certifications will not only strengthen your qualifications but they can also provide access to professional organizations, which offer important networking opportunities and career resources. They demonstrate that you have developed the experience and skills that employers value in healthcare management roles. Membership-based certifications like the FACHE also connect professionals with exclusive networking events, mentorship programs, and leadership development resources, which can lead to career advancement.
Best Certifications for Healthcare Administrators at a Glance
| Certification | Cost (2025) | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) | $225 application + $200 exam | ACHE member, master’s degree or higher, 5 years healthcare management experience |
| Certified in Healthcare Compliance (CHC) | $275 (members), $375 (non-members) | 20 CEUs in compliance within past 2 years, exam required |
| Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management (CPHRM) | $275 (AHA members), $425 (non-members) | Bachelor’s degree + 5 years healthcare risk management experience (or 3,000 hours in past 3 years) |
| Certified Medical Manager (CMM) | $385 (PAHCOM members), $770 (non-members) | 12 credits in healthcare/business + 2 years healthcare experience |
| Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS) | $499 (HIMSS members), $599 (non-members) | Bachelor’s degree + 5 years IT experience (3 in healthcare) OR master’s degree + 3 years IT experience (2 in healthcare) |
| Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) | $423 (NAHQ members), $529 (non-members) | No minimum education requirement; must pass exam |
| Certified Healthcare Administrative Professional (CHAP) | $150 (AHCAP members), $350 (non-members) | Healthcare administrative experience; traditional or fast-track eligibility |
| Certified Revenue Cycle Professional (CRCP) | $199 | AAHAM member, 2 years healthcare experience or degree |
| Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) | $229 (AHIMA members), $299 (non-members) | Bachelor’s in HIM or RHIT credential |
| Certified Revenue Cycle Executive (CRCE) | $299 | AAHAM member, 4 years healthcare management experience (2 with degree) |
Certification fees reflect 2025 rates published by each organization. Note that additional costs may apply for membership, study guides, or exam retakes.
Top Healthcare Administrator Certifications: A Closer Look
Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE)
The Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) is a board certification in healthcare management. Candidates must be ACHE members, hold a master’s degree or higher, have at least five years of healthcare management experience, and complete 36 continuing education hours. The exam covers healthcare leadership, financial management, ethics, and operations. ACHE reports that more than 5,000 healthcare leaders currently hold the FACHE credential, which makes it one of the most recognized executive certifications in healthcare management.
Certified in Healthcare Compliance (CHC)
The Certified in Healthcare Compliance (CHC) credential, which is offered by the Health Care Compliance Association (HCCA), validates knowledge in healthcare laws, regulations, and organizational compliance. Eligibility requires 20 continuing education units (CEUs) in healthcare compliance earned within the past two years. The certification must be renewed every two years. HCCA notes that the CHC credential is widely recognized by compliance departments in hospitals, health systems, and insurance organizations.
Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management (CPHRM)
The Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management (CPHRM), which is administered by the American Hospital Association (AHA) and the American Society for Health Care Risk Management (ASHRM), is the only certification in healthcare risk management. The exam evaluates competencies in patient safety, risk financing, legal issues, and healthcare operations. Candidates must have either a bachelor’s degree and five years of experience or 3,000 hours of risk management work within the last three years. As of 2025, more than 3,000 professionals have earned the CPHRM credential, according to ASHRM.
Certified Medical Manager (CMM)
The Certified Medical Manager (CMM) designation, which is offered by the Professional Association of Health Care Office Management (PAHCOM), validates skills in managing independent physician practices. The exam covers nine domains, including revenue management, compliance, clinical performance, and patient relations. Candidates must have at least two years of healthcare experience and 12 credit hours in healthcare or business. PAHCOM highlights that CMM-certified professionals often manage small-to-mid-sized practices, where efficiency and compliance are critical.
Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS)
The Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS), offered by HIMSS, is an international certification for healthcare IT leaders. It measures expertise in information systems, project management, and healthcare operations. Eligibility requires either a bachelor’s degree plus five years of IT experience (three in healthcare) or a master’s degree plus three years of IT experience (two in healthcare). HIMSS reports that professionals with CPHIMS credentials often work in roles such as chief information officer (CIO) or health IT director.
Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ)
The Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ), which is offered by the National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ), is the only certification in healthcare quality accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. The exam evaluates skills in quality improvement, patient safety, leadership, and health data analytics. There are no formal education or experience prerequisites, but ongoing recertification is required every two years. As of 2025, more than 13,000 professionals worldwide hold the CPHQ credential, according to NAHQ.
Certified Healthcare Administrative Professional (CHAP)
The Certified Healthcare Administrative Professional (CHAP) is offered by the Association for Healthcare Administrative Professionals (AHCAP). The certification recognizes expertise in healthcare governance, compliance, communication, and organizational management. Candidates must demonstrate healthcare administrative experience, and certification renewal is required every three years. AHCAP notes that CHAP credential holders often work as executive assistants and administrative managers in hospitals and healthcare systems.
Certified Revenue Cycle Professional (CRCP)
The Certified Revenue Cycle Professional (CRCP), which is offered by the American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management (AAHAM), validates knowledge in revenue cycle management, including patient access, billing, and claims processing. Candidates must be AAHAM members and have at least two years of healthcare experience or a degree from an accredited institution. The certification exam is offered online. AAHAM positions the CRCP as a mid-level credential designed for supervisors and managers overseeing revenue cycle operations.
Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA)
The Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) is offered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and demonstrates expertise in health information governance, informatics, compliance, and revenue cycle management. Candidates must hold either a bachelor’s degree in health information management (HIM) or an RHIT credential. The four-hour exam consists of 180 questions covering data governance, healthcare regulations, and information systems. RHIAs often serve as directors of health information departments, ensuring compliance with federal healthcare regulations.
Certified Revenue Cycle Executive (CRCE)
The Certified Revenue Cycle Executive (CRCE) is the highest-level credential from the American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management (AAHAM). The certification is designed for senior revenue cycle leaders. Candidates must be AAHAM members and have at least four years of healthcare management experience, or two years if holding a degree. The exam covers leadership, strategic planning, and advanced revenue cycle operations. AAHAM highlights that CRCE holders often work as vice presidents or directors of revenue cycle, responsible for financial performance across large healthcare systems.
Free Healthcare Administration Certificates and Courses Online in 2025
If you’re looking for free entry-level options, online certificate courses can help you build important foundational knowledge:
- Planning for Health and Safety. A free, self-paced course from Oxford Home Study Centre that covers writing health and safety procedures, workplace hazard identification, and risk management. The course is designed for business owners and supervisors.
- First Aid. A free OHSC course that introduces basic first-aid skills, including how to stock a first-aid kit, respond to workplace injuries, and apply preventive fire safety measures.
- Certificate in Diet and Nutrition. A free, self-paced OHSC program that teaches the fundamentals of nutrition, balanced diets, and safe weight management strategies.
While free certificates like these often won’t carry the same weight as professional credentials such as FACHE or CPHQ, they can still be useful for developing foundational skills and exploring healthcare topics before you fully commit to a paid certification.
Are Healthcare Administration Certifications Worth It in 2025?
Yes, healthcare administration certifications are definitely worth it in 2025. These credentials help professionals strengthen their qualifications and pursue leadership roles in healthcare organizations. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for medical and health services managers is projected to grow 23 percent in the next decade, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.1 This is a great indication that there will be strong demand for certified healthcare administrators.
Certifications will also provide long-term value because most require continuing education for renewal, ensuring that professionals stay up to date with changing healthcare regulations and practices. This combination of career advancement potential and ongoing professional development makes healthcare administration certifications a worthwhile investment in 2025.
Best Certifications for Healthcare Administrators FAQ
Healthcare administrators need leadership, communication, and organizational skills, as well as the ability to manage staff and budgets. Technical knowledge of health information systems, compliance regulations, and data analytics is increasingly important in 2025 for these professionals. Additionally, ethics and strategic planning are some of the core leadership competencies for healthcare executives.
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Yes. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for medical and health services managers is projected to grow 23 percent in the next decade, which is much faster than the national average for other occupations.1
To apply for a healthcare administration certification, you should visit the official website of the organization that issues the credential. Here, you can review the eligibility requirements, which may include education, professional experience, and membership to the organizations. Applications are typically submitted online and then followed by exam scheduling (if pertinent for your specific certification). Most certifications also require ongoing renewal, so applicants should review continuing education requirements before enrolling.
Healthcare administrators can pursue roles such as hospital administrator, clinical manager, health information manager, nursing home administrator, or health insurance operations manager. Many also move into roles in compliance, risk management, or pharmaceutical project management. The BLS reports that hospitals, outpatient care centers, and nursing homes are among the largest employers of healthcare administrators.
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