Medical coding certifications
The credential is what employers hire on, and the program is just how you get ready for it. Two bodies split this field. AAPC dominates physician practices and outpatient work, AHIMA dominates hospitals and inpatient coding. Which one you sit for should follow the kind of employer you want, not the school's marketing.
AAPC
CPC: Certified Professional Coder
The most widely requested coding credential in physician practices and outpatient settings.
AAPC
COC: Certified Outpatient Coder
Outpatient facility coding, aimed at hospital outpatient departments and ambulatory surgery centers.
AAPC
CIC: Certified Inpatient Coder
AAPC's inpatient hospital credential, covering ICD-10-PCS and DRG assignment.
AAPC
CRC: Certified Risk Adjustment Coder
Risk adjustment and HCC coding for Medicare Advantage and other value-based payment models.
AAPC
CPB: Certified Professional Biller
The billing-side credential, covering claim submission, denials, appeals, and payer rules.
AAPC
CPMA: Certified Professional Medical Auditor
Chart auditing and compliance review, usually taken after several years of coding work.
AAPC
CDEO: Certified Documentation Expert Outpatient
Outpatient documentation improvement, the AAPC counterpart to AHIMA's CDIP.
AHIMA
CCA: Certified Coding Associate
AHIMA's entry-level coding credential, the usual first exam for a certificate graduate.
AHIMA
CCS: Certified Coding Specialist
The hospital inpatient coding credential, and the one most acute-care employers ask for.
AHIMA
CCS-P: Certified Coding Specialist, Physician-based
AHIMA's physician-practice coding credential, competing directly with the CPC.
AHIMA
RHIT: Registered Health Information Technician
Requires an associate degree from a CAHIIM-accredited HIM program, and opens roles beyond coding.
AHIMA
CDIP: Certified Documentation Integrity Practitioner
Clinical documentation integrity work, a common step up from inpatient coding.
NHA
CBCS: Certified Billing and Coding Specialist
An entry-level combined billing and coding credential, often bundled into short certificate programs.
AMBA
CMRS: Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist
A billing-focused credential from the American Medical Billing Association.