Fact · Dictation for work and study
AHDI says that holding the RHDS is a requirement before a candidate can earn the CHDS, its second-level credential.
Checked against its source on October 16, 2026
In the source's own words
“Having the RHDS credential is a prerequisite to earning the CHDS credential.”
Certified Healthcare Documentation Specialist (CHDS), AHDI (Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity), n.d., Eligibility section.
Open the original- What it measures
- AHDI runs two voluntary credentials for healthcare documentation. The RHDS is the entry level, and the CHDS is the advanced level.
- What it does not show
- The page does not show a date. It also says current CMTs may skip the RHDS exam, so the prerequisite does not apply to everyone.