What is the CIIP certification and who offers it?

The CIIP (Certified Imaging Informatics Professional) is a credential offered by ABII (American Board of Imaging Informatics). It is designed for professionals who work at the intersection of medical imaging and information technology — including PACS administrators, radiology informatics specialists, clinical informaticists, and imaging IT managers. The credential validates expertise across PACS systems, DICOM, HL7/FHIR interoperability, radiology workflow, governance, and clinical informatics applications in imaging.

What DICOM services are tested on the CIIP exam?

The CIIP exam tests the full suite of DICOM services. C-STORE is used to send (push) DICOM objects to a remote system. C-FIND queries a remote system for matching DICOM objects. C-MOVE instructs a remote system to send objects to a third destination. C-GET retrieves objects directly to the requesting system. WADO (Web Access to DICOM Objects) enables web-based retrieval using HTTP. Understanding the SCU (Service Class User) and SCP (Service Class Provider) roles for each service is a frequently tested concept.

What is the difference between a VNA and a PACS?

A PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) is a traditional imaging system that archives and distributes images within a specific department or facility, often tied to a single vendor. A VNA (Vendor Neutral Archive) is a standards-based long-term image archive designed to store images from multiple modalities and facilities in a vendor-agnostic format — typically using standard DICOM and XDS interfaces. VNAs facilitate enterprise image sharing, PACS migrations, and multi-facility healthcare environments. The CIIP exam tests both VNA architecture concepts and PACS-to-VNA migration strategies.

How is AI used in medical imaging informatics?

AI and machine learning applications in radiology are an increasingly prominent CIIP exam topic. Computer-aided detection (CAD) tools assist radiologists in identifying findings such as lung nodules or breast lesions. AI triage tools prioritize worklists for time-sensitive conditions like stroke (large vessel occlusion detection) and pulmonary embolism. Natural language processing (NLP) mines structured data from free-text radiology reports. Clinical decision support tools, including ACR Appropriateness Criteria integration in ordering systems, help reduce inappropriate imaging. The exam also covers teleradiology credentialing and HIPAA considerations for remote reading.

CIIP Certified Imaging Informatics Professional Practice Test PDF (Free Printable 2026)

Free CIIP Certified Imaging Informatics practice test with questions and answer explanations. Prepare for the 2026 May exam with instant scoring.

CIIP - Certified Imaging Informatics ProfessionalMay 8, 20265 min read

Free CIIP Practice Test PDF

The CIIP (Certified Imaging Informatics Professional) credential from ABII (American Board of Imaging Informatics) certifies professionals working at the intersection of radiology, information technology, and data management. The exam tests knowledge of PACS architecture, the DICOM standard, HL7 and interoperability, radiology workflow and RIS operations, imaging informatics governance, quality and performance metrics, and the growing role of AI and clinical informatics in imaging.

Our free printable PDF packages realistic exam-style questions from all CIIP domains into a format you can study anywhere — on paper, on a tablet, or printed for a study group. Download it once and use it repeatedly to identify gaps before your ABII certification exam.

CIIP Certified Imaging Informatics Professional Practice Test PDF (Free Printable 2026)

📄Download Free CIIP PDF

What the CIIP Exam Covers

PACS and Imaging Systems

PACS architecture questions cover the four core components: acquisition gateways, the image manager and archive, diagnostic workstations, and web distribution systems. The exam also tests VNA (Vendor Neutral Archive) concepts, PACS migration strategies including DICOM header reconciliation, image-sharing platforms such as XDS (Cross-Enterprise Document Sharing) and DirectQuery, CD import workflows, and zero-footprint web viewers. Project management for PACS implementation is included as well.

DICOM Standard

DICOM is one of the most heavily tested areas. Questions cover the DICOM object hierarchy — SOP Class, SOP Instance, and the study/series/instance model — and DICOM tag groups: Patient (0010), Study (0020), Series (0008), and Image (0028). DICOM services are thoroughly tested: C-STORE (send), C-FIND (query), C-MOVE (retrieve), C-GET, and WADO (web-based retrieval). Networking concepts include AE Titles, SCU/SCP roles, and the default DICOM port (104). Additional topics include DICOM Modality Worklist (MWL), Structured Reporting (SR), RT objects for radiation therapy, Presentation State (PS), transfer syntaxes (JPEG, JPEG 2000, JPEG-LS, uncompressed), and DICOM de-identification for research use.

HL7 and Interoperability

HL7 v2 message structure questions focus on key segments: MSH (message header), PID (patient identification), OBR (observation request), and OBX (observation result). ADT (Admit/Discharge/Transfer) and ORU (Observation Result) message types are regularly tested. HL7 FHIR questions cover its RESTful API approach and core resources including Patient, DiagnosticReport, and ImagingStudy. IHE Integration Profiles tested include RAD-1 (Scheduled Workflow), RAD-2 (Patient Information Reconciliation), RAD-10 (Key Image Notes), and RAD-69 (XDS-I.b). Interface engine concepts — HL7 routing and message transformation — also appear.

Radiology Workflow, Governance, and Quality

RIS workflow questions cover exam states from ordered through scheduled, in-progress, complete, reported, and verified, plus charge capture with CPT coding and critical result notification workflows. Governance topics include HIPAA technical safeguards applied to imaging systems, PHI in DICOM headers, audit logging, access controls, and disaster recovery and business continuity planning for imaging systems. Quality and performance metric questions focus on system uptime, PACS response time, image availability, dose monitoring via RDSR (Radiation Dose Structured Report), ACR Dose Index Registry integration, and display system QC using AAPM TG270/TG18 procedures.

✓Review PACS component architecture: acquisition gateways, image manager, workstations, web distribution
✓Study VNA concepts and PACS-to-VNA migration including DICOM header reconciliation strategies
✓Memorize DICOM tag groups: Patient (0010), Study (0020), Series (0008), Image (0028)
✓Learn DICOM services: C-STORE, C-FIND, C-MOVE, C-GET, and WADO retrieval methods
✓Study DICOM networking: AE Titles, SCU/SCP roles, port 104, and Modality Worklist (MWL)
✓Review HL7 v2 segment structure: MSH, PID, OBR, OBX and ADT/ORU message types
✓Study HL7 FHIR resources: Patient, DiagnosticReport, ImagingStudy and RESTful API principles
✓Memorize IHE Integration Profiles: RAD-1, RAD-2, RAD-10, RAD-69 and their use cases
✓Review HIPAA technical safeguards applied to PACS: PHI in DICOM, audit logs, access control
✓Study AI and NLP applications in radiology: CAD, AI triage tools, ACR Appropriateness Criteria integration

Free CIIP Practice Tests Online

After working through the PDF, continue your preparation with our interactive question bank. Our CIIP practice test provides instant feedback and detailed explanations so you understand the reasoning behind each correct answer — the same depth of understanding the ABII exam demands. Full-length timed practice helps build the stamina and accuracy you need on exam day.

✅Pros

+Validates your knowledge and skills objectively
+Increases job market competitiveness
+Provides structured learning goals
+Networking opportunities with other certified professionals

❌Cons

−Study materials can be expensive
−Exam anxiety can affect performance
−Requires dedicated preparation time
−Retake fees apply if you don't pass