8.3 Exam-Day Checklist
Key Takeaways
Pearson VUE check-in requires two valid IDs whose names exactly match your AHIMA/Pearson registration; the first must be government-issued photo ID.
No personal materials are allowed at the seat — no notes, phone, watch, food, or bag; items go in a provided locker.
Arrive at the test center 30 minutes early; the RHIT is offered only at Pearson VUE test centers, not by remote proctoring.
Expect check-in with a photo, signature capture, and palm vein scan, then 5 minutes to accept AHIMA's confidentiality agreement before the 3-hour-25-minute exam clock starts.
You receive your result and score report immediately after the exam (except during a beta period).
Pearson VUE Check-In
The RHIT is delivered through Pearson VUE and must be scheduled at a physical test center; AHIMA offers remote proctoring only for some other credentials (CDIP, CHDA, CHPS). Check-in is strict and identity-focused.
You must present two valid forms of identification. The first must be a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state/military ID). The second must show your name and signature (e.g., a credit card or another signed ID). The name on every ID must exactly match the name on your AHIMA exam authorization — a nickname or maiden-name mismatch can cost you the appointment and the fee.
At the test center you will undergo biometric check-in: a digital photograph, a signature capture, and a palm vein scan. At the workstation, AHIMA's Examination Confidentiality, Non-Disclosure, and Conduct Agreement appears first, with 5 minutes to read and accept it — agreeing not to share exam content. The proctor logs you in and seats you.
What to Bring (and What You Cannot)
| Bring | Leave in the locker / at home |
|---|---|
| Two matching IDs (one government photo) | Phone, smartwatch, fitness band |
| Appointment confirmation details (the ATT letter is not required at the center) | Notes, books, scratch paper of your own |
| Comfortable layers (cold rooms) | Bags, wallet, food, drinks (unless approved) |
| Reading glasses if needed | Hats, large jewelry, earbuds |
No personal materials are permitted at the seat. Test centers provide a locker for your belongings, and the administrator gives you the materials the exam sponsor allows for notes and calculations (a note board; no scratch paper) — you cannot bring your own. Personal calculators are prohibited. For medical needs (e.g., diabetic supplies), request accommodations through AHIMA in advance; do not assume they are allowed at the seat.
Arrival, Timing, and Breaks
Test-center arrival: plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early. Late arrivals can be turned away and forfeit the fee. Build in time for traffic and parking.
No online option: the RHIT is not offered by remote proctoring, so plan for a Pearson VUE test center.
Timing and breaks: the agreement gets 5 minutes; then the 3-hour-25-minute exam clock starts, and it includes reading the instructions — so the instructions are not extra time. There are no planned breaks. You may take a break at the test center, but the clock keeps running while you are away — so manage water and restroom needs before you start.
Managing Anxiety and the Score Report
Calming the nerves
- Sleep and eat beforehand — a tired or hungry brain misreads qualifier words.
- Do a brain-dump on the provided note board in the first minute: statistics formulas, the PPS map, the 7 compliance elements. Now they're external, not occupying working memory.
- If you stall, flag and move on — momentum beats a stuck clock.
- Breathe and reset between hard items; one tough question does not sink a 130-item scored exam.
The end-of-exam experience
When you submit (or time expires), you receive your result immediately, with a score report showing your scaled score (100–400 scale, pass = 300) and performance by domain. (During a beta period you get a test completion notice instead, and results follow once the passing mark is set.) A passing result leads to credential issuance — covered next. Print or save any confirmation the center gives you before you leave.
Scheduling, Accommodations, and the 24-Hour Mindset
Before exam week
- Authorization to Test (ATT): AHIMA approves your application and Pearson sends scheduling instructions. Book your seat early to get your preferred date and a nearby center.
- Rescheduling: free up to 15 business days before the exam; between 14 days and 24 hours before, Pearson VUE charges $30; less than 24 hours before, you cannot reschedule, and a no-show forfeits the fee.
- ADA accommodations: request through AHIMA in advance (extra time, separate room, medical supplies at the seat). Approval happens before scheduling — never on exam day.
The 24 hours before
| When | Action |
|---|---|
| Night before | Lay out two IDs, confirmation email, directions; sleep 7-8 hours |
| Morning of | Eat protein; do a final pass of the Section 8.2 anchor sheet |
| Travel | Leave early; arrive 30 min before the start time |
| At the door | Phone off and in the locker; pockets empty |
A test-center seat is reserved for you specifically; treat the appointment like a flight — being even a few minutes late can mean a forfeited fee and a fresh re-application. AHIMA says candidates who are over 30 minutes late will not be allowed to test and must submit a new application and the full fee.
What identification does Pearson VUE require for RHIT check-in?
A single government photo ID is sufficient
Two valid IDs (the first government-issued photo) with names exactly matching your AHIMA authorization
Any two IDs, names do not need to match
Only your AHIMA membership card
For scratch work and statistics calculations during the RHIT, what may you use?
Your own paper and pen brought from home
A printed formula sheet you prepared
Only the note materials the test center administrator provides
Your own basic calculator, if it is not programmable
How is the start of the RHIT appointment timed?
An untimed tutorial runs first and does not count toward exam time
The first 20 questions are an untimed warm-up section
There is no time limit until the first item is answered
Five minutes for the agreement, then a 3 h 25 min clock that includes instructions
Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.