Question 1

May I use education completed prior to obtaining my certification?

Accepted Answer

Credit will not be awarded for educational activities completed prior to certification.

Question 2

Does the online course qualify for one year experience towards the Apprentice removal when applying to take the CPC or COC certification exam?

Accepted Answer

Completion of either the CPC or COC Preparation online courses will waive 80-hours of coding education which waives one year work experience towards the A removal. The student does not need to submit proof of course completion, AAPC will verify this experience as met once the course is completed.

Question 3

I would like to become certified as a medical coder. What are my options?

Accepted Answer

AAPC offers training courses for CPC, COC, and CIC certification preparation. The CPC Prep course teaches physician office coding and helps to prepare a student for the CPC certification exam. The COC Prep course teaches coding for an outpatient hospital/facility setting and helps to prepare a student for the COC certification exam. The CIC Prep course teaches coding for an inpatient hospital/facility setting and helps to prepare a student for the CIC certification exam. These are self-study courses in which students work at their own pace, from home, to complete each course within a 4-month timeframe or less. For students who prefer to take a classroom based course, many AAPC certified instructors teach AAPC curriculum throughout the US.

Question 4

What is the difference between CPB Medical Billing course and the CPC Preparation course?

Accepted Answer

The CPC Preparation course teaches physician office coding, such as how to assign the proper diagnosis and procedure codes from operative reports and patient charts. This course also helps to prepare you for the CPC certification exam. The CPB Medical Billing course emphasizes billing and only lightly touches on coding, and will prepare you for the CPB certification exam. This course teaches medical billing and reimbursement issues, such as how to take the codes that have already been assigned by the coder and process a claim form, and how to work with 3rd party payers to make sure the claim is processed correctly. It is important that a coder understands billing issues as it helps to decrease claim denials and increase reimbursement. An understanding of billing will also expand a coder’s career opportunities.

Question 5

Does taking a classroom course qualify for one year experience when applying to take the certification exam?

Accepted Answer

Completing an 80 hour or more classroom course will waive one year experience. A letter or certificate of completion indicating hours completed must be submitted to the AAPC to verify course completion.

Certifications

Find the right certification.

Prepare for a certification exam.

Schedule your certification exam.

Maintain your certification.

Verify a certification.

Empower your employees with an AAPC certification.

All certifications

Certified Professional Coder (CPC)^® + Certified Professional Biller (CPB)^® dual certifications

Certified Professional Coder (CPC)^® certification

Certified Professional Biller (CPB)^® certification

Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC)^® certification

Certified Outpatient Coder (COC)^® certification

Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC)^® certification

Certified Professional Medical Auditor (CPMA)^® certification

Certified Physician Practice Manager (CPPM)^® certification

Certified Professional Compliance Officer (CPCO)^® certification

Certified Documentation Expert Outpatient (CDEO)^® certification

Certified Documentation Expert Inpatient (CDEI)^® Certification

Certified Evaluation and Management Coder (CEMC)^® certification

Not sure which certification is best for you?

Have a question?

Certifications

Find the right certification.

Prepare for a certification exam.

Schedule your certification exam.

Maintain your certification.

Verify a certification.

Empower your employees with an AAPC certification.

All certifications

Certified Professional Coder (CPC)® + Certified Professional Biller (CPB)® dual certifications

Certified Professional Coder (CPC)® certification

Certified Professional Biller (CPB)® certification

Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC)® certification

Certified Outpatient Coder (COC)® certification

Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC)® certification

Certified Professional Medical Auditor (CPMA)® certification

Certified Physician Practice Manager (CPPM)® certification

Certified Professional Compliance Officer (CPCO)® certification

Certified Documentation Expert Outpatient (CDEO)® certification

Certified Documentation Expert Inpatient (CDEI)® Certification

Certified Evaluation and Management Coder (CEMC)® certification