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9 Best Medical Billing and Coding Certifications of 2026
This list is for people entering medical billing and coding who want to know which credential to earn first, and which to plan for later. We compared documented requirements, exam formats and published fees for eight credentials from AAPC and AHIMA and one online training program, CareerStep. Scores weigh features (recognition, scope and career value) at 40 percent, ease of access (prerequisites and testing options) at 30 percent and value at 30 percent. Fees are U.S. prices for one exam attempt for non-members; AHIMA members pay less, and AAPC credentials require annual membership to keep.
By the Mojolin research desk · Updated November 10, 2026 · 9 tools compared · Prices checked on vendor pages, latest November 10, 2026
Questions or corrections: editorial@mojolin.com
Mojolin is self-funded How we score
AAPC's CPC is our top pick for most people starting out, since it has no degree or experience gate, can be taken with a live remote proctor and covers the outpatient and physician coding where most entry-level jobs sit. AHIMA's CCA is the cheapest and most accessible alternative, and a good first step toward hospital coding. Choose AAPC's CPB if billing, claims and denials are the job you want. Plan for AHIMA's CCS after a year of experience if you want inpatient hospital work, and consider the RHIT if you are willing to complete an accredited associate degree.
Top picks
Best overall
AAPC CPC (Certified Professional Coder)
8.7 / 10
New coders who want the credential most physician offices and outpatient employers ask for.
Read the review →Runner-up
AHIMA CCA (Certified Coding Associate)
8.3 / 10
Beginners who want an entry credential with a low fee and a short, two-hour exam.
Read the review →Also great
AAPC CPB (Certified Professional Biller)
8.2 / 10
People who want billing and reimbursement work rather than pure coding.
Read the review →Comparison table
| # | Tool | Pricing | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AAPC CPC (Certified Professional Coder) | New coders who want the credential most physician offices and outpatient employers ask for. | Exam voucher from $425; AAPC CPC training from $2,799; annual AAPC membership required to keep the credential | 8.7 |
| 2 | AHIMA CCA (Certified Coding Associate) | Beginners who want an entry credential with a low fee and a short, two-hour exam. | $299 exam fee for non-members, $199 for AHIMA members; retakes cost the same | 8.3 |
| 3 | AAPC CPB (Certified Professional Biller) | People who want billing and reimbursement work rather than pure coding. | Exam voucher from $425; AAPC CPB training from $1,495; annual AAPC membership required to keep the credential | 8.2 |
| 4 | AHIMA CCS (Certified Coding Specialist) | Coders with some experience who want hospital and inpatient coding jobs. | $399 exam fee for non-members, $299 for AHIMA members; retakes cost the same | 8.1 |
| 5 | AAPC COC (Certified Outpatient Coder) | Coders who want hospital outpatient, ambulatory surgery or emergency department work. | Exam voucher from $425; AAPC COC training from $2,195; annual AAPC membership required to keep the credential | 7.8 |
| 6 | AHIMA RHIT (Registered Health Information Technician) | Students in a CAHIIM-accredited HIM associate program who want coding plus broader records work. | $299 exam fee for non-members, $229 for AHIMA members; retakes cost the same | 7.6 |
| 7 | AAPC CRC (Certified Risk Adjustment Coder) | Coders who want payer, provider group or remote risk adjustment work. | Exam voucher from $425; AAPC CRC training from $1,495; annual AAPC membership required to keep the credential | 7.5 |
| 8 |  CareerStep Medical Coding and Billing Professional | Beginners who want one online program that bundles training, coaching and exam fees. | $3,699 for full program access, including certification prep materials and exam fees | 7.3 |
| 9 | AHIMA CCS-P (Certified Coding Specialist, Physician-based) | Experienced physician practice coders who prefer an AHIMA credential. | $399 exam fee for non-members, $299 for AHIMA members; retakes cost the same | 7.2 |
Scoring weights
Every tool gets three editorial scores out of 10, from vendor documentation, product pages and the published price. The overall score is the weighted average below, the same method on every list. Full method
The full ranking
Rank 1 · Best overall
AAPC CPC (Certified Professional Coder)
AAPC's core medical coding credential for outpatient and physician services, covering ICD-10-CM, CPT and HCPCS Level II.
aapc.com8.7
out of 10
Best for: New coders who want the credential most physician offices and outpatient employers ask for.
The CPC is AAPC's flagship coding credential. AAPC describes it as the most respected coding credential in the industry and the best place to start a coding career, and its scope backs that up: ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes, CPT and HCPCS Level II procedure and supply codes, coding guidelines, compliance, payer rules and reimbursement across outpatient and physician services. There is no degree or experience gate. AAPC only says you need a solid grasp of medical terminology, anatomy and pathophysiology, and it sells prerequisite courses if you lack them. Exam vouchers start at $425, and you can test at home with a live remote proctor or at a testing center. The main cost is preparation: AAPC's own CPC training starts at $2,799. Keeping the credential means paying for annual AAPC membership and earning 36 CEUs every two years. For people entering the field who plan to code for clinics and physician practices, it is the safest first credential.
Standout feature
The only credential here that AAPC positions as the starting point for every later coding specialty.
Use cases
Career changers with no coding background
Earn a first coding credential that employers recognize
Outcome: A path into physician office and outpatient coding jobs
Medical office staff
Move from front desk or billing into coding
Outcome: Proof of ICD-10-CM, CPT and HCPCS skills
Key features
- Tests ICD-10-CM, CPT and HCPCS Level II coding for outpatient and physician services
- Online exam at home with a live remote proctor, or at a testing center
- Covers compliance, payer rules and reimbursement
- Self-paced and virtual instructor-led AAPC prep courses
- Base for later inpatient, risk adjustment, auditing and specialty credentials
Pros
- AAPC calls it the most respected medical coding certification in healthcare
- No degree or prior coding job needed to sit the exam
- Remote proctoring means no travel to a test center
Cons
- AAPC's full CPC training starts at $2,799, well above the exam fee
- Annual AAPC membership and 36 CEUs every two years are needed to keep it
- Centered on outpatient and physician coding, not hospital inpatient work
Rank 2 · Runner-up
AHIMA CCA (Certified Coding Associate)
AHIMA's entry-level coding credential, covering ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS and CPT coding in hospital and physician settings.
ahima.org8.3
out of 10
Best for: Beginners who want an entry credential with a low fee and a short, two-hour exam.
The CCA is AHIMA's answer to the question of where a new coder should start. The only eligibility rule is a high school diploma; AHIMA recommends, but does not require, six months of coding experience, an approved coding program or training in anatomy, terminology and basic ICD and CPT coding. The exam has 105 questions, 90 of them scored, and a two-hour limit, and you take it at a Pearson VUE center with the 2026 code books. At $299 for non-members and $199 for AHIMA members, it is the cheapest exam here, and retakes cost the same. Two caveats keep it below the CPC. AHIMA reports a 62 percent first-time pass rate for 2025, so it is not a formality, and with 7,753 holders it is less widely held than the CCS or the CPC. Many people use it as a stepping stone, since AHIMA lists the CCA plus one year of experience as one route to the CCS.
Standout feature
The lowest exam fee here, with a high school diploma as the only requirement.
Use cases
Recent high school graduates
Get certified before a first coding job
Outcome: An AHIMA credential with no experience requirement
Students in a short coding program
Validate training on a small budget
Outcome: A recognized credential for $299 or less
Key features
- Only eligibility rule is a high school diploma
- 105 questions, 90 scored, in two hours
- Covers ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS and CPT coding
- Pearson VUE test centers with the 2026 code books
- AHIMA prep bundle with 200 practice questions and two practice exams
Pros
- Lowest exam fee on this list at $299, or $199 for AHIMA members
- High school diploma is the only hard requirement
- Includes inpatient ICD-10-PCS, which AAPC's CPC does not
Cons
- 2025 first-time pass rate was 62 percent, per AHIMA
- Fewer holders than the CCS, with 7,753 certified at the end of 2025
- Must be taken at a test center with the correct code books
Rank 3 · Also great
AAPC CPB (Certified Professional Biller)
AAPC's medical billing credential, covering claim submission, payer rules, denials and appeals, and payment posting.
aapc.com8.2
out of 10
Best for: People who want billing and reimbursement work rather than pure coding.
If the job you want is medical billing rather than coding, the CPB is the better fit than the CPC. AAPC built it around the billing cycle: claim submission for commercial payers, Medicare and Medicaid, clean claim requirements and payer edits, coordination of benefits, medical necessity and prior authorization, denials and appeals, collections and payment posting. AAPC says it suits people starting or advancing a billing career, including staff moving into billing from administrative roles. The exam voucher starts at $425, the same as the CPC, and AAPC's CPB training starts at $1,495, which makes the total cost of entry lower than the coding track. You can test at home with a live remote proctor. The credential still expects you to read CPT, HCPCS and ICD-10-CM codes, and keeping it means annual AAPC membership plus 36 CEUs every two years. AAPC also sells a combined CPC and CPB course for people who want both.
Standout feature
The only credential here built entirely around the billing and reimbursement cycle.
Use cases
Front desk and patient account staff
Move into a billing specialist role
Outcome: A billing credential tied to claims and denials work
Billing company hires
Show payer and appeals knowledge
Outcome: Documented skills across Medicare, Medicaid and commercial claims
Key features
- Claim submission for commercial payers, Medicare and Medicaid
- Coordination of benefits, medical necessity and prior authorization
- Denials, appeals, resubmissions and collections
- Payment posting and reconciliation
- Online exam with a live remote proctor or at a testing center
Pros
- Built specifically for billing jobs, not adapted from a coding exam
- AAPC training starts at $1,495, about half the cost of CPC training
- Remote proctored exam option
Cons
- Less useful if you want coding roles
- Annual AAPC membership and 36 CEUs every two years to maintain
- Still expects working knowledge of CPT, HCPCS and ICD-10-CM codes
Rank 4
AHIMA CCS (Certified Coding Specialist)
AHIMA's advanced coding credential for hospital inpatient and outpatient coding with ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS and CPT.
ahima.org8.1
out of 10
Best for: Coders with some experience who want hospital and inpatient coding jobs.
The CCS is AHIMA's main credential for hospital coding. Where the CPC centers on physician and outpatient work, the CCS covers ICD-10-PCS inpatient procedure coding alongside ICD-10-CM and CPT, plus documentation, provider queries and regulatory compliance. The exam is long: 107 questions, 97 scored, in four hours, at a Pearson VUE center with the 2026 code books. AHIMA does not require experience, but it recommends one of several routes, such as full coursework plus one year of coding, two years of coding experience, or the CCA plus one year on the job. The fee is $399 for non-members and $299 for members. AHIMA reports 36,925 CCS holders at the end of 2025 and an 84 percent first-time pass rate that year, which suggests most candidates arrive prepared. For someone entering the field it is usually a second credential, after a first job or the CCA.
Standout feature
The largest AHIMA coding credential, with 36,925 holders at the end of 2025.
Use cases
Coders with a year of experience
Move into hospital inpatient coding
Outcome: A credential that covers ICD-10-PCS inpatient procedure coding
CCA holders
Upgrade to an advanced AHIMA credential
Outcome: A path to higher-level hospital coding roles
Key features
- 107 questions, 97 scored, in four hours
- Covers coding documentation, provider queries and regulatory compliance
- Inpatient and outpatient medical scenarios
- Recommended routes include coursework plus one year of coding experience
- Two-year recertification cycle with CEUs
Pros
- The main credential for hospital inpatient coding
- 36,925 certified holders at the end of 2025, per AHIMA
- 2025 first-time pass rate of 84 percent
Cons
- AHIMA recommends one to two years of coding experience first
- Four-hour exam at a test center with code books
- $399 exam fee for non-members
Rank 5
AAPC COC (Certified Outpatient Coder)
AAPC's credential for hospital outpatient and facility coding, including APCs and revenue codes.
aapc.com7.8
out of 10
Best for: Coders who want hospital outpatient, ambulatory surgery or emergency department work.
The COC is AAPC's credential for the facility side of outpatient care. It tests ICD-10-CM, CPT and HCPCS Level II coding for same-day surgeries, emergency department visits and hospital outpatient clinics, and it adds reimbursement topics the CPC does not focus on, such as Ambulatory Payment Classifications, revenue codes and NCCI edits. AAPC pitches it at people launching or advancing an outpatient coding career, and the requirements are the same as its other core credentials: a working knowledge of terminology, anatomy and pathophysiology, with no degree or experience gate. The exam voucher starts at $425 with remote or test center options, and AAPC's COC training starts at $2,195. The drawback for newcomers is focus. A first coding job is more often in a physician practice, where the CPC is the expected credential, so the COC makes most sense if you already know you want to work for a hospital outpatient department or surgery center.
Standout feature
The only AAPC credential here centered on APCs and facility reimbursement.
Use cases
Coders at hospital outpatient departments
Code same-day surgery and ED encounters
Outcome: Documented skill with APCs and facility rules
CPC holders
Add facility coding to their resume
Outcome: Eligibility for hospital outpatient coding roles
Key features
- Outpatient hospital and facility coding with ICD-10-CM, CPT and HCPCS Level II
- Ambulatory Payment Classifications (APCs) and revenue codes
- Same-day surgery, emergency department and outpatient clinic encounters
- NCCI edits and documentation review
- Online exam with a live remote proctor or at a testing center
Pros
- Targets the facility side of outpatient coding that the CPC does not focus on
- Remote proctored exam option
- Same $425 starting exam fee as other AAPC core credentials
Cons
- Narrower than the CPC for a first job
- AAPC COC training starts at $2,195
- Annual AAPC membership and 36 CEUs every two years
Rank 6
AHIMA RHIT (Registered Health Information Technician)
AHIMA's credential for graduates of accredited associate degree programs in health information management.
ahima.org7.6
out of 10
Best for: Students in a CAHIIM-accredited HIM associate program who want coding plus broader records work.
The RHIT is not a coding certification in the narrow sense, but it belongs on this list because AHIMA describes it as a good fit for professionals who specialize in coding diagnoses and procedures, and because it holds up over a long career. The catch is the entry route. AHIMA only accepts candidates who complete the academic requirements of a CAHIIM-accredited health information management program at the associate level, and it does not accept health informatics degrees. In return, the exam covers far more than codes: data content, revenue cycle management, compliance and leadership, across 150 questions with 130 scored. The fee is $299 for non-members or $229 for members, and AHIMA reports 26,128 holders and a 74 percent first-time pass rate in 2025. For someone choosing between a short course and a two-year degree, the RHIT is the reason to consider the degree.
Standout feature
The only degree-gated credential here, with domains well beyond coding.
Use cases
HIM associate degree students
Credential up at graduation
Outcome: Eligibility for coding, records and revenue cycle roles
Coders planning long-term careers
Add a degree-backed credential
Outcome: A route toward health information management roles
Key features
- Requires an associate degree level CAHIIM-accredited HIM program
- 150 questions, 130 scored
- Domains include revenue cycle management, compliance and leadership
- Early testing option for students near graduation
- Two-year recertification cycle with CEUs
Pros
- Broader than a coding credential, opening records, data and revenue cycle roles
- 26,128 holders at the end of 2025, per AHIMA
- $299 exam fee, $229 for AHIMA members
Cons
- Requires an accredited HIM degree program, so it takes the longest to reach
- Health informatics degrees are not accepted
- 2025 first-time pass rate was 74 percent
Rank 7
AAPC CRC (Certified Risk Adjustment Coder)
AAPC's credential for risk adjustment and HCC coding in value-based care.
aapc.com7.5
out of 10
Best for: Coders who want payer, provider group or remote risk adjustment work.
The CRC covers a corner of coding that has grown with value-based care: risk adjustment. Instead of procedure codes, it tests how well you apply ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes to capture a patient's full health status, including chronic and complex conditions that drive payments in risk-based contracts. AAPC aims it at uncertified coders validating their skills, certified coders adding HCC work, and staff at payers and provider groups. Requirements match AAPC's other credentials, a strong grasp of terminology, anatomy and pathophysiology, and the exam voucher starts at $425 with a remote proctor option. AAPC's CRC training starts at $1,495. For a newcomer, the narrower scope cuts both ways. There is less to learn than for the CPC, but fewer entry-level job postings name the CRC, and it says nothing about your CPT skills. It works best as a second credential or for someone with a specific risk adjustment job in view.
Standout feature
The only credential here focused on risk adjustment and HCC coding.
Use cases
Coders at health plans
Review charts for HCC capture
Outcome: A credential matched to risk adjustment work
CPC holders
Add value-based care skills
Outcome: Eligibility for risk adjustment coding roles
Key features
- ICD-10-CM diagnosis coding for risk adjustment
- Coding chronic and complex conditions in value-based care
- Aimed at payers, provider groups and value-based care organizations
- AAPC training from $1,495
- Online exam with a live remote proctor or at a testing center
Pros
- Focuses on diagnosis coding only, a smaller code set than the CPC
- Training costs less than the CPC course
- Suits payer and value-based care employers
Cons
- A specialty credential, so fewer entry-level postings ask for it
- Does not cover CPT or HCPCS procedure coding
- Annual AAPC membership and 36 CEUs every two years
Rank 8
CareerStep Medical Coding and Billing Professional
A self-paced online training program aligned to the CPC and NHA CBCS exams, with exam fees included.
careerstep.com7.3
out of 10
Best for: Beginners who want one online program that bundles training, coaching and exam fees.
CareerStep answers a different question from the credentials above: not which certificate to hold, but how to get ready for one online. Its Medical Coding and Billing Professional program is self-paced, gives 12 months of full access with one-to-one support, and is aligned to both AAPC's CPC and NHA's CBCS exams. CareerStep says the $3,699 price includes training, career support, coaching, certification prep materials and exam fees, and it also includes AAPC's Practicode course, which CareerStep says can fast-track a move from apprentice to full CPC status. That bundling is the appeal for beginners who would rather not piece together courses, books and vouchers. The tradeoff is cost and limits. You still have to pass the CPC or CBCS to be certified, $3,699 is well above an exam fee, and the access window closes after a year. Compare it against AAPC's own CPC course, which starts at $2,799 before the exam voucher.
Standout feature
The only option here that bundles training, coaching and exam fees in one price.
Use cases
Career changers working full time
Train for coding at their own pace
Outcome: Preparation for the CPC or CBCS with exam fees included
Beginners unsure between billing and coding
Study both before choosing an exam
Outcome: Training aligned to a coding and a billing credential
Key features
- 12 months of full program access
- Self-paced online study with one-to-one support
- Aligned to the CPC and CBCS exams
- Includes certification prep materials and exam fees
- AAPC Practicode course included, which CareerStep says fast-tracks full CPC status
Pros
- Exam fees and prep materials are part of the price
- Self-paced format suits people working another job
- Prepares for both a coding and a billing exam
Cons
- A training program, not a certification; you still sit the CPC or CBCS
- $3,699 is more than an exam alone
- Access ends after 12 months
Rank 9
AHIMA CCS-P (Certified Coding Specialist, Physician-based)
AHIMA's advanced credential for physician-based and outpatient coding.
ahima.org7.2
out of 10
Best for: Experienced physician practice coders who prefer an AHIMA credential.
The CCS-P is AHIMA's credential for physician-based coding, the same territory the CPC covers. AHIMA recommends, but does not require, the same preparation routes as the CCS, such as full coursework plus a year of coding experience or two years of experience applying codes. The exam is demanding: 121 questions, 97 scored, in four hours, at a Pearson VUE center with the 2026 code books. The fee is $399 for non-members and $299 for members. The numbers explain its last place on this list for newcomers. AHIMA reports only 3,927 holders at the end of 2025, against tens of thousands for the CCS, and a 50 percent first-time pass rate in 2025. For a person entering the field, the CPC covers similar work, is far more widely held, can be taken from home and does not carry AHIMA's experience recommendations. The CCS-P suits experienced coders already in the AHIMA system.
Standout feature
The hardest exam on this list by 2025 first-time pass rate, at 50 percent.
Use cases
RHIT holders in physician groups
Add a physician coding credential
Outcome: An advanced AHIMA coding credential
Experienced practice coders
Validate advanced physician-based coding skills
Outcome: A physician-based coding credential from AHIMA
Key features
- 121 questions, 97 scored, in four hours
- Physician-based coding with ICD-10-CM, CPT and HCPCS
- Recommended routes include coursework plus one year of coding experience
- Pearson VUE test centers with the 2026 code books
- Two-year recertification cycle with CEUs
Pros
- An AHIMA alternative to the CPC for physician practice coding
- Same $399 fee as the CCS
- No mandatory eligibility gate
Cons
- 2025 first-time pass rate was 50 percent, per AHIMA
- Only 3,927 holders at the end of 2025
- AHIMA recommends a year or more of coding experience first
Frequently asked questions
+What is the best certification to get for medical billing and coding?
AAPC's CPC is the best first certification for most people. It covers ICD-10-CM, CPT and HCPCS Level II coding, has no experience requirement and can be taken at home with a live remote proctor, with exam vouchers from $425. Add the CPB if you also want billing work.
+What is the best online certification for medical billing and coding?
The CPC, CPB, COC and CRC from AAPC can all be taken online at home with a live remote proctor, and AAPC sells self-paced and instructor-led online courses. AHIMA exams are taken at test centers. If you want an online program that bundles training and exam fees, CareerStep charges $3,699 for 12 months of access aligned to the CPC and CBCS exams.
+Which certification is best for medical billing?
AAPC's CPB, which is built around claim submission, payer rules, denials and appeals, and payment posting. The exam voucher starts at $425 and AAPC's CPB training starts at $1,495, less than the coding course.
+Which certification is best in medical coding?
For physician and outpatient coding, AAPC's CPC. For hospital inpatient coding, AHIMA's CCS, which had 36,925 holders at the end of 2025 and an 84 percent first-time pass rate that year. Beginners who want a lower-cost start can take AHIMA's CCA for $299 and move up to the CCS later.
+What is the best medical billing certification for beginners?
The CPB is the most direct choice for beginners, because AAPC has no degree or experience gate and offers prerequisite courses for people without billing knowledge. Expect to keep an annual AAPC membership and earn 36 CEUs every two years once certified.
+What is the cheapest medical billing and coding certification?
AHIMA's CCA, at $299 for non-members or $199 for AHIMA members. Its only eligibility rule is a high school diploma, though AHIMA reported a 62 percent first-time pass rate in 2025.
About this list
Updated November 10, 2026 by the Mojolin research desk. Mojolin is self-funded
Questions or corrections: editorial@mojolin.com
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