How to Get HIPAA Certification
HIPAA certification is obtained by completing HIPAA training with a reputable online provider, and the value of the certificate comes largely from the provider’s reputation and standing as a recognised authority in the healthcare sector. Because there is no government-issued HIPAA certificate and no single “official” credential granted by HHS, the most important first step is selecting a training company whose courses are widely accepted by employers, clearly aligned to the HIPAA Rules, and designed to be used as credible evidence that training has been completed.
After selecting a provider, the next step is completing the core training modules and passing the associated knowledge checks. Most online courses deliver a certificate after required lessons are finished and quizzes are passed, often in a single sitting of around 90 minutes for standard HIPAA training, though some programs run closer to two hours depending on depth and assessment style. A completion certificate typically documents the date, course coverage, and successful completion, which is what most organizations need for compliance records.
To strengthen HIPAA certification beyond the basics, higher-quality courses also include optional modules that cover specialist topics and role-specific scenarios. These add-ons may address areas such as breach response decision-making, workforce responsibilities in emergency situations, state-law privacy overlays, and practical safeguards for electronic PHI (email, devices, passwords, and remote work). Even with a strong certificate, complete compliance still depends on following organizational policies and procedures, so employer-specific training remains an essential final step after completing online certification training.
How to Get HIPAA Certification to Enhance Job Prospects
If an individual is looking for a job in the healthcare industry – or a promotion within the industry – it is necessary to have the appropriate professional qualifications. When two or more candidates for a position have similar professional qualifications, a certification demonstrating an understanding of HIPAA can be beneficial.
To get HIPAA certification in this scenario, an individual can subscribe to an online course provided by a third party certification company. The length of time and the amount of effort involved will depend on the content of the course, the individual’s existing HIPAA knowledge, and the amount of time they have available to complete the course modules.
How Certification Shows a Good Faith Effort to Comply with HIPAA
Since the passage of HIPAA, HHS’ Office for Civil Rights has applied a light touch to HIPAA enforcement – opting for voluntary compliance and corrective action plans wherever possible. However, a 2021 amendment to the HITECH Act now requires HHS’ Office for Civil Rights to consider recognized security practices when considering fines and other sanctions.
HHS has not yet published a definition of “recognized security practices”, so it is up to each covered entity and business associate to work out how best they can demonstrate a good faith effort to comply with HIPAA in the event of an investigation into a violation or data breach. Getting a certification of HIPAA compliance is a suitable option.
How a HIPAA Certification can Demonstrate Trustworthiness
An organization does not necessarily have to be a covered entity to benefit from HIPAA certification, as a HIPAA certification demonstrates measures exist to respect the privacy and security of individually identifiable health information. Therefore, a HIPAA certification can be used by any organization to show they can be trusted with personal data.
The way to get a HIPAA certification does not vary if you are not a HIPAA covered entity. You simply apply to a third party certification company for an assessment; and, if the appropriate measures are in place, a certificate of compliance is issued. Naturally, it may take longer for an organization with no experience of HIPAA to be certified as HIPAA compliant.
Why Prove the Completion of HIPAA Training?
One of the most common workforce sanctions for HIPAA violations of a minor nature is re-training. However, many organizations do not have the resources to provide one-on-one training for every minor HIPAA violation, and either fail to enforce the sanction or provide a training module to the workforce member and tell them “to get on with it”.
Being able to get HIPAA certification for completing the training module enables members of the workforce who may have violated HIPAA inadvertently to demonstrate a good faith effort to comply with their employer’s policies and procedures. It may also mitigate the level of sanction if the workforce member subsequently violates HIPAA again.
