Can You Get Epic Certified Without Going to Wisconsin? (2026 Update)

If you’re eyeing an Epic career for 2026 and still asking, “Do I really have to fly all the way to Wisconsin to get certified?” — you’re not the only one. Between kids, caregiving, limited PTO, visas, or just not wanting to camp out in Verona’s cornfields, a lot of folks are wondering if there’s another way.

The short answer? Yes, you can train and qualify to work on Epic without stepping foot in Wisconsin — but the details matter. Epic uses different labels for in-person vs. remote training, and employers don’t always treat them exactly the same.

This guide gives you the 2026-ready breakdown so you can make smart moves instead of guessing off outdated conversations.

Quick Notes

• You can complete Epic training remotely through your employer for many roles.
• Remote training typically earns “Accredited – Remote” status based on professional Epic training summaries from major Epic-focused consultancies.¹
• You must be sponsored by a hospital or Epic-approved employer to access Epic training — no self-enrollment.^2,3
• Self-study “proficiency” is real, but it’s not equivalent to certification/accreditation for most hiring managers.^4,5

So no, lack of travel doesn’t mean lack of opportunity. But you do need a strategy.

What “Epic Certification” Really Means in 2026

Epic certification is an official credential that says you’ve completed Epic-led training, passed formal assessments, and demonstrated proficiency in a specific Epic module (like Ambulatory, Inpatient, Radiant, etc.).²

Most healthcare IT training groups describe certification as typically involving:

• Employer sponsorship
• Epic-led training (traditionally on-site)
• A project that simulates real-world build
• A formal exam to demonstrate competency

That traditional model still exists — but there’s now more nuance in the way Epic labels your training status.

Certification vs. Accreditation vs. Proficiency (In Plain English)

Here are the three labels you’ll hear most often in 2025–2026:

1. Certified – Verona (Classic In-Person Certification)

This is the “traditional” certification path described by multiple long-standing Epic training guides:

• Your employer sponsors you.
• You attend Epic training on campus in Verona, Wisconsin.
• You complete projects and pass a final exam.

Healthcare IT Leaders and The HCI Group both document this as the gold-standard certification path, especially for complex modules.^3,1

2. Accredited – Remote (Instructor-Led Remote Training)

As Epic expanded virtual training options, many health IT organizations and consultancies began documenting the rise of Accredited – Remote training for Epic analysts.

Characteristics include:

• Employer sponsorship is still required.
• Training is delivered live by Epic instructors online.
• Curriculum, project work, and assessments mirror in-person certification.

While Epic does not directly publish public-facing enrollment details, multiple reputable Epic consulting and training firms confirm that remote accreditation is recognized internally and widely used by health systems.¹

3. Proficient – Self-Study

Proficiency is presented in several respected health IT education resources as an optional learning pathway:

• You self-study Epic material.
• You take a knowledge exam.
• You do not complete the guided project or instructor-led training.

Health IT workforce experts emphasize that proficiency is not equivalent to certification or accreditation, and is rarely accepted for analyst hiring.^4,5

It can help you strengthen your knowledge, but it won’t replace the credentials most teams look for during your job search.

Can You Do Epic Training 100% Remotely?

Based on updated 2024–2025 guidance from Epic consulting firms and health IT training partners, here’s what’s consistent:

• Remote, instructor-led Epic training is widely available for many core modules.¹
• Some high-complexity modules (e.g., surgical, pharmacy, lab) are more often taught on-site.
• Remote and in-person versions of a module generally have the same curriculum and same assessments, based on widely published Epic training guidance.

The exact list of remote-eligible modules can vary by year and employer, but the shift toward remote training has become a permanent fixture in the Epic ecosystem.

Do You Still Need an Employer Sponsor?

Yes — that part hasn’t changed.

Epic requires sponsorship from:

• A hospital or health system using Epic
• An Epic-approved consulting firm
• Epic Systems directly (if you’re employed there)

Guides published by University of the People, Healthcare IT Leaders, and The HCI Group all reinforce that Epic certification cannot be purchased or pursued independently.^2,3

So if your goal is to position yourself for certification, your first milestone is a strong, intentional job search that gets you into an Epic-using environment.

Can Remote Accreditation Convert Into Full Certification?

Yes. According to publicly available Epic training summaries and Epic-certified consultants publishing on professional platforms, remote accreditation can typically convert to full certification once an employee attends an approved on-site Epic class.¹

This means you can:

1. Start with remote, employer-sponsored training.
2. Build hands-on Epic experience.
3. Travel when life allows to convert your credential to full in-person certification.

Do Employers Care About the Difference?

In real hiring conversations, employers care most about your experience:

• Have you built and tested Epic workflows?
• Have you supported go-lives?
• Can you troubleshoot issues clinicians and end-users face?

Consultancies and healthcare IT hiring firms consistently note that Accredited – Remote is widely accepted, especially when paired with strong project exposure.¹

What If You Can’t Travel to Wisconsin?

If travel is difficult or impossible due to caregiving, health, disability, immigration, or cost — you still have options:

• Target modules your employer supports remotely.
• Choose large organizations or consulting firms that rely heavily on remote training.
• Build experience so you’re an easy “yes” for sponsorship later.
• Revisit on-site certification when travel becomes accessible.

Your 2026 Strategy (The Blossom Careers Blueprint)

Here’s the strategic path I recommend as your D.C. career coach who’s seen thousands of people pivot into Epic roles:

1. Get hired somewhere that uses Epic.
   Prioritize job descriptions mentioning Epic training, EHR implementation, or system optimization. Links to your job search.
2. Be upfront about travel constraints.
   Ask hiring managers how their teams train new analysts.
3. Start with remote accreditation.
   That gets your foot in the door — and into the build.
4. Stack real project experience.
   It’s the strongest part of your resume.
5. Upgrade to in-person certification when life allows.
   A single on-site class can flip your status to Certified – Verona.

Final Word: Can You Get Epic Certified Without Going to Wisconsin?

Here’s the clean, honest answer for 2026:

You can absolutely start, grow, and thrive in an Epic career through remote, employer-sponsored training — and many analysts do.

Officially, Epic still distinguishes between in-person certification and remote accreditation, but both are legitimate, respected credentials that can elevate your income, your mobility, and your long-term growth in healthcare IT.

And if your next move is mapping out your transition, optimizing your resume, or finding the right Epic-friendly employer, you already know where to go — Blossom Careers.