The Academy of Health Information Professionals

Application Process

Academy applicants must pay a non-refundable application fee and complete a portfolio of professional progress. The portfolio documents a candidate's progress through the credentialing process. Applicants requesting Emeritus status are not charged a fee.

Candidates for initial or continuing recognition by the Academy of Health Information Professionals may submit applications at any time. Candidates are encouraged to review current academy requirements and instructions carefully before beginning to construct their portfolios. Portfolios will be assessed using the current forms and point system in place at the time of submission. The Credentialing Committee has complied a list of hints for a successful academy portfolio.

Follow the steps below for initial application. If you are already a member of the academy, see the Renewing Academy Membership page.

Steps in the Initial Application Process

Step 1

Review the requirements for academy membership to determine the level for which you qualify. Either review a summary of academy membership levels or follow the steps on the Am I Eligible? page to determine the appropriate membership level at which to apply.

Step 2

Complete required forms as indicated in the chart below. Descriptions of the forms are located beneath the table.

You can download PDF and RTF (rich text format) versions of the forms (as noted in parentheses) directly from this page. See the Forms page for detailed instructions.

Level	Degree	Required forms
Provisional	ALA-accredited master's	Form BIO (PDF, 46KB; RTF, 19KB) Form SRP-1 (PDF, 18KB) Form SRP-2 (PDF, 20KB) Form SRP-3 (PDF, 16KB)
Provisional	other master's	Form BIO (PDF, 46KB; RTF, 19KB) Form SRP-1 (PDF, 18KB) Form SRP-2 (PDF, 20KB) Form SRP-3 (PDF, 16KB) Form COMP (PDF, 28KB; RTF, 28KB)
Member and above	ALA-accredited master's	Form BIO (PDF, 46KB; RTF, 19KB) LEDGER (PDF, 57KB; RTF, 416KB)
Member and above	other master's	Form BIO (PDF, 46KB; RTF, 19KB) LEDGER (PDF, 57KB; RTF, 416KB) Form COMP (PDF, 28KB; RTF, 28KB)
Emeritus	ALA-accredited masters or other master's	Form EMERITUS (PDF, 48KB; RTF, 10KB)

Form	Description
Form BIO	This form requests information about your master's degree and your professional work experience following the degree. Form BIO requires the submission of a current curriculum vita.
Form Emeritus	This form is used by retired applicants requesting Emeritus status.
Form COMP	Candidates who do not hold an ALA-accredited master's degree must document formal instruction in all seven areas of the Professional Competencies. Educational activities used to satisfy these requirements must be listed on Form COMP with documentation attached. Official transcripts are required for academic course work; certificates of completion are required for approved Continuing Education courses.
Ledger	Used to list individual accomplishments completed during the relevant credentialing period. See the Point Index for documentation requirements for continuing education and individual accomplishments.
SRP Forms	These forms are used by applicants at the Provisional level to assess professional development needs.

Step 3

Write your name on all documentation and attach the appropriate form.

Step 4

If applying at the Member level or above, use the LEDGER form to record the points you have earned. When you have finished, check the total number of points to determine whether you have the required number and distribution of points.

In addition to the overall points, make sure any requirements for professional association activities and MLA activities have been documented.

Step 5

Submit two copies of the entire Portfolio of Professional Progress and the appropriate application fee payable to MLA or AHIP.

(Effective January 1, 2004)

MLA Member, new or renewing $175.00 (US Dollars)
Provisional MLA Member, $100.00 (US Dollars)
Non- MLA Member, new or renewing, $350.00 (US Dollars)
Non-MLA Member, Provisional $200.00 (US Dollars)
Emeritus, no fee

MLA International Rates (All foreign countries outside the United States, including Canada, Mexico, and Europe).

MLA Member, new or renewing $130.00 (US Dollars)
Provisional MLA Member, $75.00 (US Dollars)
Non- MLA Member, new or renewing, $260.00 (US Dollars)
Non-MLA Member, Provisional $150.00 (US Dollars)
Emeritus, no fee

Contact MLA headquarters (312.419.9094 x28) for current academy fee information.

Fees are payable in US dollars by check or credit card (MasterCard, American Express, Discover or Visa) to:

Medical Library Association
Academy of Health Information Professionals
65 East Wacker Place, Suite 1900
Chicago, IL 60601-7246

Step 6

The academy acknowledges receipt of the portfolio and fee via email notification. Incomplete portfolios and those unaccompanied by proper fee payment will not be processed.

Step 7

The Credentialing Committee reviews portfolios on an ongoing basis and approves successful candidates for recognition by the Academy of Health Information Professionals.

Step 8

The Academy of Health Information Professionals issues certificates signed by the president and the executive director of MLA and, if requested by the applicant, notifies the employer of membership in the academy.

Calendar of Review

Reviews of Portfolios of Professional Progress are scheduled monthly. On average, MLA headquarters and the Credentialing Committee process a completed portfolio in three months. Incomplete portfolios take longer.

Academy membership is effective from the first day of the month in which the portfolio was submitted (postmarked).

Appeals

An appeals panel appointed by the MLA Board of Directors reviews and decides cases in which candidates for recognition question interpretations made by the Credentialing Committee.

Applicants who are denied recognition by the academy will receive written notification of the reasons. Appeals of such decisions must be filed with the Academy of Health Information Professionals at MLA headquarters within ninety days of receiving the ineligibility notice.

In an appeals process, a majority (2/3) of the Appeals Panel will rule (Credentialing Committee, 5/93).