Electronic Health Records Training Course: EHR Skills and NHA CEHRS Certification

A patient checks in, vital signs are due, a provider is waiting on a chart update and the next appointment is already at the door. An electronic health records training course teaches the work that keeps that information accurate, available and protected. This guide explains what EHR training covers, what the NHA CEHRS certification is, how to choose a course and how the online EHR Specialist program at DMS Care Training Center works.

What is an electronic health records training course?

Electronic health records (EHRs) are digital patient charts. Hospitals, clinics, physician offices, urgent care centers and specialty practices use them every day. A chart can hold demographics, insurance details, medical history, medication and allergy lists, lab results, visit notes, orders, referrals and billing information.

An EHR training course is not just a computer class. It teaches how a patient's information moves through a visit: before the appointment, at check-in, while staff document care, after the provider signs the note and when the claim or follow-up begins. When one step is missed, the result can be delays, denied claims or a patient safety problem.

What you learn in EHR training

Every employer uses its own software, so a good course focuses on skills that transfer from one system to the next:

• Patient registration, demographic updates and appointment scheduling
• Finding the correct chart and confirming patient identifiers
• Chart management and accurate documentation
• Insurance information, referrals and electronic forms
• Workflow between the front office, clinical team and billing
• HIPAA compliance and secure handling of patient information

Medical terminology and common abbreviations help too, because they make chart information easier to read. Our medical terminology guide explains where to start.

Accuracy is a patient-care skill

EHR work can look like office work, but it directly affects care. A misspelled name, an old phone number, a wrong allergy entry or a duplicate chart can change how a patient is treated. Good training teaches you to slow down when you verify information and to follow the office procedure when you find an error.

Good documentation is timely, factual and within your role. A medical assistant may record vital signs according to policy, but diagnoses and treatment plans belong to the provider. Knowing where your responsibility starts and stops is part of being job-ready.

Privacy and HIPAA in daily EHR work

Every EHR role requires careful attention to patient privacy. Training should show how HIPAA shapes everyday habits, not just test it with one quiz:

• Use your own login and never share passwords
• Log out or lock the screen when you step away
• Verify identity before you discuss any information
• Open only the records you need for your assigned work, even if you know the patient
• Speak quietly at check-in and confirm the recipient before sending records

Read more in our guide on protecting patient privacy in everyday healthcare settings.

NHA CEHRS certification: what to know

The Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) credential comes from the National Healthcareer Association. The exam covers EHR systems, documentation accuracy, patient data management, HIPAA compliance, healthcare workflow and information security.

Finishing a course and earning the credential are separate steps. You must meet NHA's current eligibility rules and pass the exam. As an NHA partner school, DMS helps eligible students schedule the exam. If you do not pass on the first try, you can retake it under NHA's current retake policy.

Since October 1, 2026, current high school or GED students may be able to test before graduation and receive a provisional credential if they expect to graduate within 18 months of passing. Learn more about healthcare careers for high school students.

How the DMS EHR Specialist program works

• EHR systems, patient data management and chart management
• Healthcare documentation and workflow integration
• HIPAA compliance and secure handling of patient information
• Practice exams for CEHRS preparation
• Korean and Spanish translated study materials
• Free textbooks (shipping $12, or pick up at our Carrollton campus for free)

Plan steady weekly study time. A few focused hours several times a week keeps most students on schedule.

Choosing the right administrative path

Think about the job you want. EHR training fits records, patient access and documentation roles. If you want front-office work with scheduling and patient communication, or coding and claims, another program may fit better.

Compare the Billing & Coding program and the Medical Administrative Assistant program, or read whether a billing and coding course is right for you.

How to enroll: 5 steps

1. Check admission requirements. A government-issued photo ID and a high school diploma or GED, or an eligible high school pathway. Students under 18 need parent or guardian consent. See admission requirements.
2. Apply and register. Complete the application form and pay the $50 registration fee. Our admissions team will contact you with next steps.
3. Enroll and start studying. Pay tuition for the EHR Specialist program and begin your online coursework.
4. Complete BLS. Submit AHA BLS (CPR) certification before you finish ($95 at DMS if needed).
5. Take the NHA CEHRS exam. Use the practice exams to prepare. Exam fees are separate.

Funding may be available: DMS is a WIOA eligible training provider, and military spouses may qualify for MyCAA (SpouseWorks).

EHR jobs and pay

CEHRS graduates may work in hospitals, clinics, outpatient centers, physician offices, medical records departments and healthcare administrative teams. Many employers train new staff on their own software, so do not worry if you have never seen their system. Your training gives you the habits that make a new system easier to learn.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median pay of $51,140 per year ($24.59 per hour) for medical records specialists in May 2025, with 8% projected growth from 2025 to 2035. These are national figures; pay varies by employer, location and experience. For interview tips, see what employers look for in entry-level healthcare professionals.

Why students choose DMS

• RN-led school founded by a registered nurse with 17+ years in U.S. hospitals
• 92% of DMS students pass their NHA certification exam on the first attempt
• Approved by the Texas Workforce Commission (Career School #E6316), NHA partner school (#411269) and AHA Training Site
• Support in English, Korean and Spanish

Frequently asked questions

Related reading: Medical billing and coding course · How to start a healthcare career with no experience · English for healthcare professionals

Pay and job outlook source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical Records Specialists (May 2025 data). Certification: National Healthcareer Association.