Frequently Asked Questions

The American Board of Imaging Informatics (ABII) is a nonprofit credentialing organization that sets professional certification standards for excellence in a growing field of high-tech healthcare pioneers. It recognizes well-trained professionals who can use technology to maximize efficiency and increase radiologist satisfaction and productivity, while realizing strategic goals and improving patient care. This is a tall order, indeed. That's why ABII uses a highly respected certification process to help achieve its mission.

ABII was founded in 2007 — the result of a collaborative effort between the Society for Imaging Informatics in Medicine (SIIM) and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Its purpose is to provide recognition to qualified Imaging Information Professionals (IIPs) in the successful implementation and management of Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS). ABII began administering the IIP test in 2007.

Candidates who pass the IIP receive the Certified Imaging Informatic Professional® (CIIP®) certification. This mark of excellence has been developed to be consistent with the standards of the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

Both certified individuals and industry partners attest to the value of ABII certification. Read their testimonials.

Across the world, the convergence of patient data, computer science applications and the expertise of health professionals has created a movement geared toward providing higher quality patient care through better management and availability of information. This is the world of health informatics — the intersection of information science, computer science and healthcare. It manages the acquisition, storage, retrieval and use of information in healthcare efficiently and effectively to improve access and quality. In other words, it's working faster and smarter. This is an emerging field that is the product of the information economy.

The qualification system for IIP certification is flexible enough to address the various backgrounds of imaging informatics professionals, yet comprehensive enough to ensure that candidates are well rounded.

An applicant's eligibility is based on a seven-point system that encompasses the categories of experience, formal education and credentials/continuing education.

Applicants must earn points in the areas of eligibility, adding up to a total of at least seven points.

• Experience points are awarded one point for each 12 months of work experience in a healthcare imaging or imaging informatics field.
• Academic Education points are awarded based on highest level of education, ranging from 1 point for individuals without a degree but reporting at least 30 credit hours, up to 5 points for a graduate degree.
• Continuing Education points are awarded for CE in imaging informatics completed within 18 months of the date of application.

More information on calculating eligibility points.

First, you'll need to establish eligibility. Then, applying online is easy. To get started:

• Create a new account
• Already have an account, login here

Once you've established eligibility, you'll complete the registration form. The fee is $500. If you don't pass the first time, you can try twice more for a $250 fee each time. You have three chances to pass within 12 months from the date you established eligibility.

The test is composed of 170 questions that cover 10 major knowledge domains. These domains were identified by imaging informatics professionals as being critical to competent performance in the field. They are:

• Image Management
• Information Technology
• Operations
• Communications
• Systems Management
• Clinical Engineering
• Medical Informatics
• Procurement
• Project Management
• Training and Education

More information:

• Your best study guide is the ABII Test Content Outline, which provides each major knowledge domain and the number of scored questions in each area.
• Review some sample test questions that demonstrate the format of the exam items.

The IIP certification test is available on-demand, meaning applicants can schedule on a day and at a time convenient for them. You can choose to schedule your test at a Pearson VUE professional center, or you may take your test online while a remote proctor monitors your progress.

Please note: Pearson VUE administers tests for many other certifications. At peak times, it may be harder to schedule your appointment, and you may find that you'll need to schedule a few weeks out.

OFAC-Sanctioned Countries/Regions

As a U.S.-based business, Pearson VUE is not allowed to do business with OFAC-sanctioned countries/regions. Thus, candidates who live in the following sanctioned countries/regions—and candidates who present identification issued by those countries/regions—cannot be admitted to an exam appointment either at a brick-and-mortar exam center or through live, remotely proctored exam administration (OnVUE):

• Cuba
• Iran
• North Korea
• Sudan
• Syrian Arab Republic
• The Sevastopol / Crimea region of Ukraine

Testing Accommodations

ABII complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and provides reasonable testing accommodations to candidates who demonstrate that they have an ADA-qualifying disability.

• All requests for accommodations must be approved prior to scheduling the test.
• To be approved for accommodations, candidates must submit the necessary documentation.
• When a candidate requests testing accommodations, they will receive a testing window after the request has been reviewed and approved.

The Test Experience

The test experience is designed to ensure that results of all candidates are earned under comparable conditions and represent fair and accurate measurement. All candidates are therefore held to a set of restrictions involving what may be brought into the test center or at-home testing space, how candidates may leave the testing room, and general behavior. Candidates are observed at all times while taking the test:

• In-person: Through direct observation by test center staff and/or video and audio recording
• Online: By the remote proctor

To understand the rules of conduct and environment requirements before you take the test, read:

• Taking the IIP Certification test at a Pearson VUE Location
• Taking the IIP Certification test Using an Online Proctor

Once eligibility is established and the application and fee received by ABII, candidates will receive notification and instructions (usually within 24 hours) that Pearson VUE is prepared to schedule their test appointment. Candidates will find online scheduling information in their ABII Account Profile. They can schedule directly with Pearson VUE for an online proctored test or at a test center location of their choice.

If something comes up and you need to change your appointment, you can postpone your test appointment up to three times without penalty as long as ABII receives your postponement at least seven days before your scheduled appointment. Postponements after the seven-day deadline are granted only for compelling reasons and must be requested in writing within 30 days after the scheduled test date.

You'll find detailed cancellation procedures in the Certification Guide.

The maximum time allowed to complete the test is 2.83 hours (170 minutes). Twenty additional minutes are allotted for an eight-minute tutorial and a two-minute non-disclosure agreement before the test and 10 minutes for a survey at the end of the test.

You will receive notification via email indicating your test results are available. Login to your ABII account and click on Results to view your report.

When you've passed the IIP certification test, you can refer to yourself as a Certified Imaging Informatic Professional, or CIIP. ABII will refer to you as a diplomate.

To maintain your certification:

• You'll need to renew your certification annually. The $70.00 annual renewal fee is due by December 31 of each year. (Renewal payments received after the Dec. 31 deadline will incur late fees.)
• You must complete 24 Continuing Education (CE) credits every two years, starting January 1 of the year immediately following your certification year. You can start completing CE activities at any point. ABII recommends that you don't wait until your final year to complete your CE. Instead, we recommend that you maintain ongoing education to maximize your opportunities and experiences.
• During years in which you're required to report CE, both the CE and annual renewal fee must be completed during the same transaction in your ABII online account. (For example, a diplomate cannot pay the annual renewal fee on one day and then report CE later the same week.)
• If CE is not reported and/or annual renewal payment is not received before March 31, ABII will discontinue your certification.

Because continual learning is so important in the constantly evolving healthcare industry, ABII requires diplomates complete and report 24 credits of CE every two years, on or before December 31. All diplomates must complete this biennial CE requirement to remain qualified as a CIIP. If they don't, ABII will discontinue their certification.

• Educational activities that can be tied back to the ABII Test Content Outline are acceptable for CE credit. Examples include, but are not limited to:
  • Seminars given at SIIM or HIMMS
  • Medical imaging continuing education activities accepted by The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)
  • IT courses
  • Project management courses
• CE activity content or topics must align with the ABII Test Content Outline in effect at the beginning of your biennium.
• Diplomates can report CE completions in their ABII online account.

Because ABII is a certification organization, it cannot endorse specific CE providers. To find CE activities, we recommend that CIIPs:

• Contact SIIM, the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT), and Healthcare Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS). These professional societies have resources that support education for members and non-members.
• Consider networking with other CIIPs to learn about other opportunities.

While ARRT-approved CE activities that align with the ABII Test Content Outline also qualify for ABII CIIP CE requirements, you will need to enter the activities manually on your profile pages in your ABII online account in order for ABII staff to keep your CE progress updated and to validate compliance or non-compliance.

Because of accelerating advancements in technology and growing capabilities in the healthcare field, the idea of “once certified, forever qualified” no longer meets the expectations of patients or the profession. Today, continuous quality improvement is an expectation across all healthcare facilities, systems, and professions.

The CIIP certification is time-limited. After successful completion of the exam, individuals are certified for ten years. At the end of ten years, diplomates must submit documentation of their completed ongoing qualifications in imaging informatics for their certification to remain active. Learn more about the 10-Year Requirements.