Apprentice Removal Requirements

To remove your apprentice designation, AAPC must verify completion of at least two years of on-the-job experience. (Externships accepted.) Three removal options are available:  

Option 1:  2-year employment verification  

Employment verification from previous employers, current employers, externships, or a combination of all three are accepted. Professional coding experience both before and after certification applies. 

Submission requirements:

• Employer(s) verification of at least 2-years on-the-job experience using the CPT^®, ICD-10-CM, or HCPCS Level II code sets. 
• Only employers, supervisors, or an HR department can verify time spent coding within an organization. 
• Letter(s) of verification must meet these requirements:
  • Include coding experience achieved, and amount of time in that capacity
  • Submitted on company letterhead
  • Letter(s) must be hand signed, dated, and include current contact information for verification purposes
  • Letter(s) must be provided to member in a non-editable format (pdf) for member to upload

Download our optional employment verification template for easier submission. Upload all verification documents via the Apprentice Removal Application and expect 2-4 weeks for processing. 

Option 2:  1-year employment verification AND completion of 80-hour coding preparation course or completion of AAPC’s Practicode  

1-year employment verification  

Employment verification from previous employers, current employers, externships, or a combination of all three are accepted. Professional coding experience both before and after certification applies. 

Submission requirements: 

• Employer(s) verification of at least 1-year on-the-job experience using the CPT^®, ICD-10-CM, or HCPCS Level II code sets.  
• Only employers, supervisors, or an HR department can verify time spent coding within an organization.  
• Letter(s)of verification must include:
  • ­­Coding experience achieved and amount of time in that capacity
  • Submitted on company letterhead
  • Letter(s) must be hand signed, dated, and include current contact information for verification purposes
  • Letter(s) must be provided to member in an non-editable format (pdf) for member to upload

80-hour coding course completion or AAPC’s Practicode completion

To meet this requirement, proof of completing at least 80 contact hours of a coding preparation course (not CEUs) must be submitted, OR completion of AAPC’s Practicode.  

Submission requirement options for 80-hour coding course:

• Instructor letter on school letterhead verifying completion of at least 80 contact hours. 
• Certificate/diploma stating at least 80 contact hours
• Unofficial school transcript showing at least 80 contact hours 

Submission requirement for AAPC’s Practicode 

• Documentation proving completion of AAPC’s Practicode is not required as our system recognizes member accomplishment.

Download our optional employment verification template for easier submission. Upload all verification documents via the Apprentice Removal Application and expect 2-4 weeks for processing.  

Option 3:  80-hour coding course completion AND AAPC’s Practicode completion 

80-hour coding course completion 

To meet this requirement, proof of completing at least 80 contact hours of a coding preparation course (not CEUs) must be submitted. 

Submission requirements:

• Instructor letter on school letterhead verifying completion of at least 80 contact hours. 
• Certificate/diploma stating at least 80 contact hours 
• Unofficial school transcript showing at least 80 contact hours 

AAPC’s Practicode completion 

Submission requirements:

• Documentation proving completion of AAPC’s Practicode is not required as our system recognizes member accomplishment. 
• Upload all verification documents via the Apprentice Removal Application and expect 2-4 weeks for processing.