Retake Timing, Fees, Refunds, and Complaint Rules
Key Takeaways
- A failed CCA attempt requires a new application and a new exam fee.
- AHIMA requires at least 30 days before a new application is approved after an unsuccessful attempt.
- Current CCA exam and retake fees are $199 for AHIMA members and $299 for non-members.
- Refunds, reschedules, no-shows, late arrivals, and complaints all have deadline rules that candidates must follow.
Retake Basics
If you do not pass the CCA exam, you must submit a new application and pay a new exam fee. AHIMA states that candidates must wait at least 30 days before the new application is approved. AHIMA cannot waive retest waiting periods for test-security policy.
Current CCA exam fees are $199 for AHIMA members and $299 for non-members. Retake fees are the same as the exam cost. Do not use older fee amounts when answering current exam logistics questions.
Reschedule and Cancel Rules
Pearson VUE appointment changes are time sensitive. AHIMA's current guidance says rescheduling or canceling is free when done early enough, costs $30 when done between 14 days and 24 hours before the appointment, and results in forfeiture when the candidate is a no-show or misses the allowed window.
A Pearson VUE cancellation is not the same as an AHIMA refund. Canceling the appointment may stop the seat, but the candidate still must request an AHIMA refund if eligible.
Refund Rules
AHIMA exam application refund requests may be made up to 14 business days before the scheduled test date or eligibility end date. AHIMA keeps a $75 nonrefundable processing fee. Late requests, expired eligibility, no-shows, and forfeited appointments may not be refundable.
Complaint Rules
If something goes wrong at the test center, report it to the test-center administrator before leaving. AHIMA also directs candidates who fail and believe the exam experience contributed to the result to contact certification@ahima.org no later than 7 days after receiving the score report.
A complaint should explain the suspected problem and requested remedy. AHIMA and Pearson VUE do not disclose actual exam questions or answer keys, so a complaint should focus on the testing irregularity, not on obtaining item content.
Common Exam Traps
| Situation | Correct rule |
|---|---|
| Failed attempt | New application, new fee, at least 30-day wait before approval |
| Retake cost | Same as exam fee: $199 member or $299 non-member |
| Refund request | AHIMA request due at least 14 business days before scheduled date or eligibility end |
| Pearson cancellation | Does not automatically create an AHIMA refund |
| Test-center problem | Report before leaving and meet AHIMA complaint deadlines |
A candidate fails the CCA exam and wants to test again as soon as possible. What is required?
A non-member is retaking the current CCA exam. What fee should the candidate expect under the current AHIMA fee schedule?
A candidate has a test-center issue that may have affected the exam and later receives a failing score. What is the best response?