Where New Health Information Professionals Should Start on the AHIMA Website

Start with the homepage section labeled "Just starting out? AHIMA is here for you." From there, the site routes you to four main destinations: membership ("Start Your Membership Today"), certification ("Get Certified"), learning (webinars and article-based quizzes), and events/publications. If you are brand new to health information (HI), the most efficient path is: confirm what AHIMA is, decide whether you need a credential or a membership first, then use the learning and event listings to build knowledge.

First: Understand What You Are Looking At

AHIMA is the American Health Information Management Association. Its stated purpose is to empower health information management professionals with education, certification, advocacy, and resources to protect the quality, privacy, security, and integrity of patient data. The site describes itself as "your professional home where health information professionals connect, grow, and thrive."

That framing matters for navigation: AHIMA's site is organized around being a professional association, not a course catalog. So you will mostly be choosing between joining, getting certified, and consuming learning content.

The Four Entry Points Newcomers Should Know

If You Want a Credential First

The "CREDENTIALS AND CAREER" section is the place to begin. AHIMA states that earning an AHIMA credential demonstrates competence, a dedication to continuous learning, professional growth, and mastery of current industry trends and technologies. The action link is "Get Certified."

Use this path if your goal is a recognized qualification rather than general orientation. Note that the homepage does not list credential names, exam fees, or eligibility requirements — you will need to follow the "Get Certified" link for those specifics.

If You Want Membership First

The "YOUR PROFESSIONAL HOME" section leads to "Start Your Membership Today." AHIMA describes membership as a supportive community for HI professionals to connect and advance their careers.

One concrete benefit stated on the page: members can use rewards to access select webinar sessions for free. The page does not state membership pricing, so do not assume it is free — check the membership page for current terms.

If You Mainly Want to Learn

The "AHIMA WEBINARS AND QUIZZES" section is the fastest on-ramp. It offers expert-led webinars and article-based quizzes, positioned as quick, practical ways to keep learning and gain a competitive edge. The entry link is "Start Learning Today."

This is a reasonable first stop if you are still deciding between membership and certification, because it lets you sample AHIMA's content style before committing.

Events, Education, and Publications

Near the bottom, "AHIMA RESOURCES TO FURTHER YOUR CAREER" groups four areas: Upcoming Events, Education, Recent Publications, and Recent Webinars. The homepage also surfaces specific items:

• AHIMA26 — with a "Register Now" link and a note about earning AHIMA26 CEUs virtually
• Awards — 2026 Award Winners, with a "Celebrate Peers" link
• Member Town Hall — "Save Your Seat"
• On-Demand — "Explore Global HI Trends, Expert Insights" → "Watch Today"

If you are new, the On-Demand and Recent Webinars entries are the lowest-commitment way to see what the field covers.

A Practical Starting Sequence

1. Read the "Just starting out?" section to confirm AHIMA fits your direction.
2. Skim the webinars and quizzes area to sample the content.
3. Decide your primary goal: credential ("Get Certified") or community ("Start Your Membership Today").
4. If you choose membership, check the membership page for current cost and benefits — the homepage does not state pricing.
5. Use Upcoming Events and Recent Publications to stay current once you are oriented.

The main pitfall for newcomers is treating the homepage as a curriculum. It is a navigation hub; the actual detail lives one click deeper in the certification, membership, and learning sections.