If you work in healthcare, chances are you will need Epic training at some point in your career.

Whether you’re starting a new role or looking to improve your existing skills, one of the first challenges is figuring out where, when, and how you will access that training. Many users look for ways to learn Epic online or without access, but the reality is that these opportunities are extremely limited. Unlike many other software platforms, access to Epic is not widely available to the public. As a result, most training resources are tied to healthcare organizations that use Epic, which can make it difficult to find reliable training on your own.

This guide breaks down who needs Epic training, where to find it, and what options are realistically available based on your role.

Table of Contents

• Who needs Epic training?
• Do you need Epic experience before starting a new role?
• Can you learn Epic without access?
• Where to find Epic training for your role
• Additional training resources via Epic UserWeb
• Epic training without an Epic login
• The reality of learning Epic
• FAQs

Who Needs Epic Training?

Epic training is required across a wide range of roles in healthcare organizations, including:

• Clinicians (physicians, nurses, medical assistants, registered nurses)
• Non-clinical staff (administrative teams, registration, front desk)
• Epic analysts and IT staff
• Epic trainers and educators

Because Epic touches nearly every part of a healthcare organization, training is tailored based on how each role interacts with the system.

If you work for an organization that uses Epic, you will need some form of Epic training, regardless of your Epic experience. Because each health system runs a unique instance of Epic, it is important for users to undergo training specifically for their organization’s Epic instance. Additionally, users should receive regular Epic training specific to updates, upgrades, new go-lives, and any other changes to their workflow.

Do You Need Epic Experience Before Starting a New Role?

In most cases, no.

Healthcare organizations typically hire based on clinical or functional expertise, not your experience with a specific EHR like Epic. If your role requires Epic, you should expect to receive training as part of onboarding.

For IT professionals, the path may be different. If you’re pursuing an Epic analyst or technical role, you’ll want to look for roles at health systems that will sponsor employees to get certified by attending training at Epic’s headquarters.

Can You Learn Epic Without Access?

Epic is not an open system. Access to the software – and most training resources – is restricted to organizations that license Epic. As a result, most individuals cannot access Epic training on their own. Most formal training requires employment or affiliation with an Epic organization.

Another key challenge is customization. Each organization’s Epic instance is unique, which makes generic training less effective. In short, you cannot fully learn Epic without access to the system. There is no publicly available Epic course or certification that individuals can complete independently without sponsorship.

Where to Find Epic Training for Your Role

Through your organization

Most end users will receive Epic training through their organization. Health systems that use Epic typically provide:

• Onboarding training for new hires
• Ongoing training for update cycles and new go-lives
• Role-based training specific to workflows
• Access to training environments
• Internal guides and support resources

As a best practice, this training should be tailored to your organization’s Epic instance to ensure that it is relevant to users. Additionally, this training should be specific to your role and workflow.

Through Epic (Requires Sponsorship)

Epic offers extensive training, but access is limited. To participate in Epic training programs, you need sponsorship, which typically comes from:

• A health system that uses Epic
• Epic Systems (as an employer)
• Select IT vendors working with Epic

With sponsorship, users may gain access to:

• Epic University training
• Certification programs
• Advanced system documentation

This route is common for health IT professionals and aspiring Epic credentialed trainers. The most common path for individuals looking to build a career as an Epic analyst or trainer is through an entry-level role with an Epic organization that involves hands-on experience with Epic. These roles can often lead to sponsorship opportunities and Epic certification programs.

Additional Training Resources via Epic UserWeb

If you’re looking for Epic training beyond what your organization provides, your Epic login provides you with access to additional resources. The Epic UserWeb serves as Epic’s internal knowledge and training hub. To access it, you must register using an email associated with an Epic organization. It’s important to note that this training content is designed to support – not replace – organization-specific training.

What Epic Training Resources are Available on UserWeb?

• It’s Possible: A collection of short, targeted module learning materials that highlight how to use Epic more efficiently or showcase features users may not be aware of. This content focuses on optimization, not basic training.
• What’s New: Content focused on keeping users informed about changes introduced in Epic upgrades. It’s one of the primary ways Epic communicates new features, enhancements, and workflow updates to end users and organizations.
• Epic SmartUser Efficiency Program: A collection of free, live training sessions designed for physicians and nurses. The courses focus on advanced workflows and tips to save time.
• Nova Notes: Detailed, upgrade-focused materials that explain workflow impacts and help organizations prepare training for system changes. These are intended for training teams, not end users.
• WeLearnings: A shared library of Epic-created and client-created training content, primarily used by educators but sometimes helpful for end users as supplemental material.

These resources are useful for reinforcement and updates, but are not a substitute for role-based training within your organization.

Become an Epic analyst or trainer with self-study proficiencies

If you’re looking to become an Epic analyst or trainer, Epic UserWeb offers self-study proficiency courses and exams. You will be able to select a module for certification (Stork, Radiant, Beaker, etc.). Self-study courses are free, but certification exams include a small fee.

Epic Training Without an Epic Login

Unfortunately, options are very limited for individuals seeking Epic training without an Epic login. As noted earlier, Epic is highly customized for each health system. Furthermore, there is no publicly available version of Epic that individuals can log into for independent training. As such, third party training opportunities will be generic, which should be viewed as a supplementary, not primary, source of training.

What Epic Training Options Exist Without Access?

There are some online resources that offer various forms of Epic training, but these should be evaluated carefully, especially if they promise full Epic training without system access. Again, meaningful Epic training should be role- and workflow-specific. These resources can help you get familiar with concepts, but they are not a substitute for hands-on experience in Epic.

Most useful options:

• Epic SmartUser / public sessions (if available)
• Epic-style simulators (free & paid)

Helpful but indirect options:

• General EHR / healthcare IT courses (free & paid through platforms like Coursera, edX, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning)
• YouTube walkthroughs

Least useful options:

• Generic blogs and PDFs

The Reality of Learning Epic

The most important thing to keep in mind for end users looking for additional training is this: Epic is learned on the job. If Epic is a requirement for a role you seek, you will receive on-the-job training.

Health systems are hiring you for your clinical or technical expertise, not your specific knowledge of Epic. Avoid spending money or too much time on Epic training to prepare for a future role. Without an Epic login or sponsorship, avenues for quality Epic training are incredibly limited in both availability and relevancy to your role.

Instead, if improving your Epic skills is a critical component of your career goals, focus on finding job opportunities at health systems that prioritize Epic training. The most effective way to learn Epic is through hands-on use within real, day-to-day workflows, and the quality of your Epic training will depend heavily on the organization you work for. Look for organizations that prioritize Epic training and user support. This may include health systems that partner with KLAS Arch Collaborative, achieve high Net EHR Experience Satisfaction (NEES) scores, or earn Epic Gold Stars status.

FAQS

Can I learn Epic online without access?

Only partially. You can learn general concepts and workflows through online resources, but you cannot fully learn or practice Epic without access to the system.

Does uPerform offer Epic training?

No, uPerform does not directly offer Epic training. uPerform is a digital learning platform that enables healthcare organizations to quickly create training materials for Epic and deliver them directly in the Epic workflow.

Do I need Epic experience to get hired?

In most cases, no. Healthcare organizations typically hire based on clinical or functional expertise, not your experience with a specific EHR like Epic.

Can I get Epic certified without a job?

No, you will need to be sponsored by an Epic organization or work for Epic directly to receive Epic certifications.

How long does Epic training take?

Most Epic end users complete initial training in three days to two weeks, depending on their role. However, this can vary greatly by system, role, and prior Epic experience. Additionally, Epic training doesn’t end after onboarding – it continues throughout your career as workflows, roles, and system updates evolve.