Certified HIPAA Privacy Security Expert

Certified HIPAA Privacy Security Expert (CHPSE) is a privately issued professional certification associated with knowledge of the United States Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). The credential is used by some individuals working in protected health information privacy, compliance, and security roles. The designation appears in a range of public-sector and public-facing documents, including local government job classifications, government training materials, and public agency publications that list CHPSE among professional credentials held or required for certain roles.

Background

HIPAA is a federal law implementing regulations that establish national standards for the protection of certain health information, including the HIPAA Privacy Rule and HIPAA Security Rule. Within HIPAA Administrative Simplification provisions, the United States Department Of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued regulations including the Privacy Rule, which establishes national standards for the use and disclosure of protected health information (PHI) and individual privacy rights.the Security Rule, which establishes standards to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic PHI (ePHI).

HIPAA regulations also include administrative requirements such as workforce training on policies and procedures and security awareness programs.

CHPSE is used as an acronym for “Certified HIPAA Privacy Security Expert” in multiple public documents. A City of Henderson, Kentucky classification specification for “Assistant IT Director” describes the position as serving as the City’s HIPAA Security Officer and states that “attaining and maintaining CHPSE (Certified HIPAA Privacy Security Expert) certification every three (3) years” is required for the role. Clark County, Nevada’s Audit Department lists CHPSE among certifications held by staff members.A San Francisco Health Service System (SFHSS) board education HIPAA training presentation lists “Certified HIPAA Privacy & Security Expert (CHPSE)” among the credentials of its HIPAA Privacy & Security Officer. In professional materials published by U.S. government agencies, CHPSE appears as a credential held by speakers or participants. An FDA public workshop booklet lists an industry participant with the post-nominal “CHPSE.

Training and assessment

Public-sector materials referencing CHPSE indicate that it may involve coursework and an examination in certain contexts. A 2016 SFHSS memorandum states that a manager “completed the coursework and passed an exam to be certified as a Certified HIPAA Privacy Security Expert (CHPSE). Some job documentation specifies ongoing maintenance requirements, such as renewal on a three-year cycle.

Salary data

According to compensation data compiled by PayScale, individuals reporting the Certified HIPAA Privacy Security Expert (CHPSE) credential have an average base salary in the United States of approximately US$85,000 per year, based on self-reported salary information.

Government position on HIPAA certification

HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) states that HHS/OCR does not endorse private training providers and does not certify persons or products as HIPAA compliant. HHS also states that private certifications do not replace a covered entity’s legal obligations under HIPAA and do not prevent enforcement actions.