Other
Certified Healthcare Documentation Specialist (CHDS)
AHDI (Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity), n.d.
Read the originalRead on October 16, 2026
- What it is
- The professional association's page on its second-level credential for medical transcriptionists and healthcare documentation specialists. It sets the eligibility rules for the CHDS and how it relates to the entry-level RHDS.
- How much weight it carries
- Written by the credentialing body itself, so it is authoritative for its own rules but not independent. The page date is not shown, so check the current eligibility rules on the page before you register.
Facts taken from this source
- AHDI says that holding the RHDS is a requirement before a candidate can earn the CHDS, its second-level credential.
“Having the RHDS credential is a prerequisite to earning the CHDS credential.” (Eligibility section)
- AHDI's CHDS is for RHDS holders with a minimum of 2 years of experience in acute care transcription or a multi-specialty equivalent.
“Registered Healthcare Documentation Specialists (RHDSs) with a minimum of 2 years’ experience in acute care transcription or multi-specialty equivalent.” (Who Should Earn Their CHDS? section)
- AHDI says that current Certified Medical Transcriptionists may skip the RHDS exam and sit for the CHDS exam directly.
“Current CMTs may bypass the RHDS exam and sit for the CHDS exam.” (Eligibility section)