Certification | Accrediting Body | Required | Required Experience | Notes |
Certified Professional Coder (CPC) | AAPC | None | 2 years* | Associate’s recommended. |
Certified Outpatient Coding (COC) | AAPC | None | 2 years* | Associate’s recommended. |
Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC) | AAPC | None | None** | Associate’s recommended. |
Certified Professional Biller (CPB) | AAPC | None | None | Associate’s recommended. |
Certified Coding Associate (CCA) | AHIMA | None | None | Coding training recommended. |
Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) | AHIMA | Coding Program | 2 Years | Need either training or experience, not both.^ |
Certified Coding Specialist - Physician based (CCS-P) | AHIMA | Coding Program | 2 Years | Need either training or experience, not both.^ |
Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) | AHIMA | Associate’s Degree^^ | None | |
Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) | AHIMA | Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree^^ | None | |
Certified Revenue Cycle Specialist (CRCS) | AAHAM | None | None | 1 year experience recommended. |
Certified Revenue Cycle Representative (CRCR) | HFMA | CRCR Course | None | Must take HFMA’s course to obtain this credential. |
Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) | NHA | Coding & Billing Program | 1 year | Need either training or experience, not both. |
Medical Coder & Biller Certification (MCBC) | AMAC | Coding & Billing Program | 1 year | Need either training or experience, not both. |
*If you do not have 2 years on the job experience, an apprentice (-A) designation will be awarded. For more information about AAPC apprentice designation, visit https://www.aapc.com/certification/apprentice_status.aspx
**Per AAPC,”Please be aware that this is a difficult, high-level examination which is not meant for individuals with little, limited or no inpatient coding experience or training.”
^Requirement is met by any one of the following: RHIA, RHIT, CCS-P, CCA + 1yr experience, other credential + 1yr experience, 2yrs experience, or complete a coding training program.
^^List of approved schools can be found here: https://www.cahiim.org/programs/program-directory