Certification Criteria
ONC establishes the Certification Program requirements as well as outcome-focused requirements known as “certification criteria” for health IT developers and Health IT Modules.
Certification Program Conformance Method
Based on these certification criteria, ONC develops a conformance method, which may include test procedures and test tools (including associated test data) approved by the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (National Coordinator). In addition, ONC has developed a Certification Companion Guide (CCG) for each criterion to provide additional clarifications to the conformance method. Health IT certified under the Certification Program must conform to the full scope of the product’s required capabilities, including regulatory/conformance expectation clarifications and interpretations set forth in the applicable Certification Companion Guides.
Learn More
Base EHR Definition
Developers that certify their products to this group of criteria provide baseline assurance that the product possesses a key set of capabilities.
Learn More
Standards Version Advancement Process (SVAP)
Developers have the opportunity to update their criteria to new standards versions via SVAP to ensure their products are up to date with industry advancements.
Learn More
Final Rules
ONC has established certification criteria under several regulations. For a full list of Final Rules that have informed the make-up of the Certification Program, please visit the Certification Regulations page.
Certification Regulations