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How Long Does It Take To Get Into Medical Coding

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One thing that is critical to bear in mind about the field of medical coding is that it is a field without explicit requirements in some respects. For example, on one hand certification in medical coding is not an absolute requirement to work in the field; on the other hand, you cannot reasonably expect to be employed without it. In addition, continuing education is not an absolute requirement, but you cannot reasonably expect to stay employed without it.

If you are not already sensing a theme, it is that medical coding is a field without absolutes. A rigid plan of action carved into a stone calendar, therefore, is the wrong approach. In order to successfully get into medical coding, you have to figure out how to gauge your time commitment based on your circumstances.

For example, a person with an undergraduate degree in biology with a medical focus can expect to take less time preparing for CPC certification because he or she is already familiar with human anatomy and medical theory/terminology.

You might be thinking, “Alright, cut the nonsense. Really, how long does it take to get into medical coding?” Assuming you go through the typical steps, here is a timeline for the average medical coder:


  • Choosing a certification program – as long as needed. Common certifications include the CPC and the CPC-H. Here is a comparison of the two.
  • Taking medical coding courses – 45 days to 3 years. Online courses can be completed within several months, whereas vocational programs at universities can take as long as several years. In all actuality these courses are not exactly nessesary but most people need them to learn enough to actually get certified. See this post for more info.
  • Obtaining certification – as long as needed. If you take a 2- or 3-year program at a college or university, doing so earns you a certificate and degree (which are valuable) but doesn't actually certify you. While certification from the AAPC or AHIMA is preferred by employers, a certificate from your program is a fine asset. If you seek certification, however, you will need to allow time to apply for AAPC or AHIMA membership and exam preparation. Taking the exam isn't long, just five hours and forty minutes but preparing for the exam takes some time depending on how much preparation you want to put into it. This post covers getting your AAPC CPC certification in short order.

Ultimately, getting into coding will take as much or as little time as you need to learn the content and be able to demonstrate it. Once you have that cert however then comes finding your first job. For some people this is hard. Check out this post on getting experience in coding for some ideas on breaking into the industry.

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Make sure to take a CPC certification practice exam before taking the real test. Practice tests will help you pass on your first try.

Click here to see the practice exams or to view the additional CPC exam study guides click here.

Click here for information on getting medical coding training, degrees, and/or certificates.

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