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The Academy of Health Information Professionals

General Information FAQ

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General
Eligibility
Academy Application

To top of page What is the Academy of Health Information Professionals?

The Academy of Health Information Professionals is a professional development and career recognition program of MLA. Admission to and the level of academy membership (Provisional, Member, Senior, Distinguished and Emeritus) are based on three areas of achievement: academic preparation, professional experience, and professional accomplishment.

To top of page What exactly does membership in the academy mean?

Members of the academy are credentialed as health information professionals by demonstrating their academic preparation, professional experience and professional accomplishments. Credentialing differs from certification in that certification focuses on the attainment of minimum standards and measurable competencies, whereas credentialing recognizes the time and effort that is required for professional development. It also differs from licensure because licensure is a legal requirement for professionals in certain professions, such as medicine. 

Academy membership is a designation recognizing the time and effort a health information professional commits to professional development activities.

To top of page How is the academy related to the Medical Library Association?

MLA established its credentialing program in 1949* and the Academy of Health Information Professionals (passed by the MLA membership in September 1974, was established January 1,1978, and revised September 1981, April 1989, and May 1993). 

The most recent action by MLA occurred in April 1995, when the MLA Board of Directors appointed members to the Task Force to Review the Academy of Health Information Professionals. In May 1996, the task force completed its report and recommendations to the MLA Board of Directors, who reviewed the academy in its current form and made recommendations for future goals. 

* For more detailed information about the history of MLA's credentialing program, consult the following articles:

  • darling l. The view behind and ahead: implications of certification. Bull Med Libr Assoc 1973 Oct;61(4):375–86.
  • bell jah. History of the Medical Library Association's credentialing program. Bull Med Libr Assoc 1996 Jul;84(3):320–33.

To top of page How do I become an academy member?

You should follow the directions found under Application Process. If you can not print the needed forms or need more instruction, please contact the professional development department at the Medical Library Association, 65 East Wacker Place, Suite 1900, Chicago, IL 60601-7246; 312.419.9094 x28; fax, 312.419.8950. Upon receipt of the completed forms, MLA will forward the application packet to the Credentialing Committee for analysis. Applicant and supervisor are notified, by letter, of acceptance; applicant only is notified of non acceptance.

To top of page Do I have to be an MLA member to join the academy?

No. As of January 1994, membership in the academy is available to both MLA members and non-MLA members who meet the required professional education and experience requirements. An individual may join as an MLA member (pay dues for current year plus an academy application fee of $175, or $100 for Provisional level) or as a non-MLA member ($350 academy application fee or $200 for Provisional level).

To top of page What are the educational requirements for academy membership?

Academy admission requires possession of an M.L.S. degree from a program accredited by the American Library Association (ALA) or a post-baccalaureate degree in any field accredited by a member of the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary AccreditationCouncil (CORPA). Candidates possessing a non library science degree must submit evidence of knowledge in all Professional Competencies as outlined in the Competencies for Lifelong Learning and Professional Success.

To top of page ALA accreditation applies only to U.S. and Canadian schools. Are any library science degrees from outside the U.S. and Canada acceptable?

The ALA recognizes that the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand have formal accreditation processes, therefore, individuals with degrees from specific institutions in these countries may be considered acceptable for employment in the United States and for membership in the academy.

For a list of these institutions or information about degrees from other countries, please refer to the "Foreign Credentials Evaluation Assistance" ALA Web page for more information.

To top of page I do not have an ALA MLS, but I have a sixth year certificate from an accredited ALA school. Does this meet the academy's educational requirements?

Yes. Persons who hold a non-ALA MLS but who hold a sixth year certificate or a doctoral degree from a school which offers an ALA-accredited master's degree meet the academy's educational requirement.

To top of page I have a non-library science degree from an accredited post Baccalaureate program. Do I have to show that I have knowledge of the health information field?

Yes. In addition to fulfilling all other academy requirements for membership, candidates possessing non-library science degrees must submit evidence of knowledge in all the Professional Competencies as defined in MLA's Educational Policy Statement.

To top of page What does the academy require as proof that I have an accredited degree or that I meet the Professional Competencies requirement?

A copy of a diploma is acceptable as proof of degree and official transcripts of formal course work are necessary to evaluate compliance with Professional Competencies. In addition, if one cannot reasonably assume from the title of the course that the Professional Competency would have been covered, a syllabus or detailed course outline showing the specific subject matter covered is required. Certificates of completion are required for continuing education.

To top of page What is relevant post-baccalaureate degree experience in health information science?

Relevant post-baccalaureate degree experience in health information science is defined as participation in the profession, including but not limited to professional librarianship. Health information experience may be in any setting. This includes librarians working in science divisions of public, college, or university libraries; those working in allied health libraries or law libraries specializing in health care case work; librarians working in health information management or systems departments; librarians working for public health agencies; web based companies with a health care focus; library consortia or regional library councils. Work experience cannot be used to satisfy the Professional Competencies requirement.

To top of page I work part-time. Can I still apply for academy membership?

Yes. Full-time work experience is defined as working a minimum of 24 hours per week and is based on a minimum of eleven months of full-time work for each year required. Candidates with part-time employment experience must still have the equivalent of five years full-time experience.

To top of page I don't have five years experience. Will I have to wait to apply?

No. If you have an ALA-accredited M.L.S. or an accredited post-baccalaureate degree with documented course work in all Professional Competencies AND less than five years of relevant experience in the health information field following your master's degree, you can enter the academy at the Provisional level. Provisional membership lasts for one year only. However, it may be renewed annually, up to four times or until the Provisional Member has been employed in a health information position for five years following the master's degree, whichever comes first. A mentor will be assigned to you to guide you on to the Member level and make sure you meet the 8 points of MLA-sponsored instruction each year for renewal of Provisional membership.

To top of page How can I be sure MLA has received my application?

It is recommended that you send your application material by certified mail with return receipt requested. The academy acknowledges receipt of the portfolio and fee via e-mail.

To top of page What happens to my application after I submit it to MLA headquarters?

It is received at MLA headquarters and checked by the Professional Development department. It is then mailed to a member of the Credentialing Committee who reviews and evaluates it. It is then sent on to the chair-designate of the Committee who resolves any discrepancies. The chair-designate forwards the portfolios of the approved academy members to the Professional Development department. The candidate is then notified by mail.

To top of page Can you suggest some resources in addition to the application information provided by the academy that are helpful for international librarians who want to apply for academy membership?

Yes. You might want to read the following:

Medical Library Association. Competencies for Lifelong Learning and Professional Success, 2007.

American Library Association/Standing Committee on Library Education/International Library Education Subcommittee. Information for Persons from Outside the United States Seeking Employment as Professional Librarians in the United States,1988.

International Association of Universities. Methods of Equivalencies between Degrees and Diplomas. Paris: Unesco, 1970.

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