Wiki What exactly is the 80 course and is it worth it?

[monica.celozzi@gmail.com]

I just passed my cpc exam and I understand the practicode but what exactly is the 80 hour course they are talking about?

Is this another online course or is this the actual AAPC course that I took beforehand?

Also, are there options for internships to get a better general knowledge of coding in an actual work setting? I’m willing to do it to make sure I’m really prepared for a job.

 

[tstiggins68]

Hello, The 80 hours they are referring to is completed course hours required to remove the A (Apprentice) from your CPC certification. Completing and passing Practicode will satisfy 40 of those 80 hours. I also completed the CPB course to satisfy the other 40 hours. I believe just about any of their other courses will satisfy towards removal of those required hours.
I have not done much research on Internships but I have read there are some available.

 

[actionballec@gmail.com]

I just passed my cpc exam and I understand the practicode but what exactly is the 80 hour course they are talking about?

Is this another online course or is this the actual AAPC course that I took beforehand?

Also, are there options for internships to get a better general knowledge of coding in an actual work setting? I’m willing to do it to make sure I’m really prepared for a job.

Hi Monica,

This is a very good question because it can become confusing. I completed the International AAPC 2025 Physician Coding for CPC preparation which was also an 80 hour certificate of completion. So, is this another 80 hour course that we should do to remove the apprenticeship?

From: Michelle Erasmus of South Africa

 

[sls314]

Hi Monica,

This is a very good question because it can become confusing. I completed the International AAPC 2025 Physician Coding for CPC preparation which was also an 80 hour certificate of completion. So, is this another 80 hour course that we should do to remove the apprenticeship?

From: Michelle Erasmus of South Africa

If you took the AAPC CPC course, that’s the official 80-hour course (you can see this listed in your CPC course syllabus as 80 clock hours).

On the AAPC website, it’s spelled out that if a person received their training from somewhere other than AAPC, they must be able to show that the course met a minimum of 80 clock hours of preparation:

Remove Apprentice from CPC - Apprentice Removal Requirements – AAPC

To remove your apprentice designation verifying at least two years of on-the-job experience using the CPT®, ICD-10-CM, or HCPCS Level II code sets.

www.aapc.com

 

[actionballec@gmail.com]

Dear Susan,

I understand, so I am halfway then for having my Apprenticeship removed, because I completed the AAPC 80 hours course for completion.

1.Should I purchase Practicode, complete it, and earn 70% and more, instead of getting a job, would the A then be removed?
2. While doing Practicode, can I use Codify instead of the books, as Codify is updated constantly? I currently have the 2025 books, but the cost to ship it to South Africa was about $550 and it is a huge amount in conversion to our ZAR. (1 ZAR = 18 USD).
3. I want to see what will be the fastest way for me to get the A removed.

Thank you for your kind response.

Michelle Erasmus (South Africa)

 

[csperoni]

Dear Susan,

I understand, so I am halfway then for having my Apprenticeship removed, because I completed the AAPC 80 hours course for completion.

1.Should I purchase Practicode, complete it, and earn 70% and more, instead of getting a job, would the A then be removed?
2. While doing Practicode, can I use Codify instead of the books, as Codify is updated constantly? I currently have the 2025 books, but the cost to ship it to South Africa was about $550 and it is a huge amount in conversion to our ZAR. (1 ZAR = 18 USD).
3. I want to see what will be the fastest way for me to get the A removed.

Thank you for your kind response.

Michelle Erasmus (South Africa)

Practicode is certainly faster than a year of on the job experience if your only goal is to remove your -A. I see no reason you would require paper books as opposed to an online encoder like Codify. I personally haven't used paper books since 2021.
I would caution you to read through the forum about the struggles for many newly certified coders to find a job without experience (even some with experience). Removing your -A does NOT mean you now qualify for a job requiring 2 years of experience. Both your CPC prep course and Practicode are considered education by employers and not experience. I personally do not recommend Practicode for these reasons. When I hire entry level coders, I do not care at all about Practicode. I do favor candidates who were willing to work another job in a healthcare location. I find they are often better equipped to understand the bigger picture of interacting with clinicians, interacting with patients, understand nuances of insurance policies, better understand the complete revenue cycle process, etc. I do not know the job situation for employers in South Africa, and you may have more, or less, struggles than others.
There are also many posts in the forum giving advice about best ways to look for a job, but again, being in another country could change your steps.
Good luck!!!