How to Become a Medical Coder in 2026: Training to CPC
The full route to working as a medical coder, in order: program, AAPC CPC exam, state licence and renewal, with timings and what each step costs you.
- $51,140Median pay
- +8%Job growth
- AAPC says most people complete the coursework and pass the exam in 4 to 8 monthsTraining
- AAPC CPCExam
- $425Exam fee
Table of Contents
The route, start to finish
Becoming a medical coder is a fixed sequence: an approved program, the AAPC CPC exam, then whatever your state requires on top. Here is every stop in order, with realistic timings.
- 1
Learn terminology and anatomy
Build the medical terminology, anatomy and pathophysiology base that every coding scenario depends on; AAPC recommends taking its anatomy courses with the CPC course.
- 2
Complete CPC training
4-8 months including exam (AAPC)Take a CPC preparation course that teaches CPT, ICD-10-CM and HCPCS Level II coding and guidelines, and practice with current-year code books.
- 3
Join AAPC and buy an exam voucher
Hold current AAPC membership and purchase a 1-attempt ($425) or 2-attempt ($499) voucher; students get lower pricing.
- 4
Pass the CPC exam
4-hour exam; results in 7-10 business daysAnswer at least 70 of 100 questions correctly in 4 hours, online with a live remote proctor or at a testing center, using the approved code books.
- 5
Remove the apprentice (CPC-A) status
Up to 2 years; 2-4 weeks processingShow two years of coding employment; or one year of employment plus Practicode or an 80-hour coding course; or Practicode plus an 80-hour coding course; or complete AAPC's Job-Ready Program. Submit via the Apprentice Removal Application.
- 6
Maintain the credential
Ongoing, 2-year CEU cyclesKeep AAPC membership current each year and submit 36 approved CEUs every two years.
Step one: the right program
The program is the one step you cannot shortcut. The exam body checks where you trained before it lets you sit, so an unaccredited course can cost you the whole route.
Typical length: AAPC says most people complete the coursework and pass the exam in 4 to 8 months
Who is eligible to sit the exam
| Route | What you need |
|---|---|
| AAPC membership | Current AAPC membership is required to sit for the exam, along with a valid unused exam voucher and a government-issued photo ID that exactly matches the exam confirmation. |
| No degree or experience prerequisite | No education or experience is required to take the CPC exam; AAPC recommends its CPC training course and a solid grasp of medical terminology, anatomy and pathophysiology. |
| Full CPC on passing (experienced candidates) | Candidates who already have two years of verified medical coding experience receive the full CPC when they pass. |
| CPC-A on passing (new coders) | Candidates without two years of coding experience receive the CPC-A (apprentice) designation until they meet an apprentice-removal option. |
The exam itself
This is the checkpoint the whole route builds towards. The essentials:
Questions: 100
Time: 240 minutes
Where you test: One sitting of 4 hours, either online at home with a live remote proctor (24/7 scheduling; external webcam required) or on a computer at a testing center. Printed code books or platform-provided eBooks (with search; no personal notes/tabs) are allowed. An online calculator is provided; physical calculators not permitted.
Passing standard: An overall score of 70% or higher: at least 70 of the 100 questions correct. If you fail, AAPC shows categories with sub-scores of 65% or less.
Fee: $425
We broke the exam down domain by domain, with the weight of each and what its questions ask, in the AAPC CPC content outline.
Licensure: what your state adds
Medical coders are not state-licensed; the CPC is a voluntary professional credential. BLS notes that employers may prefer to hire medical records specialists who are certified, or may expect new hires to earn certification shortly after being hired, which makes the CPC a practical hiring requirement at many employers.
Pay and job outlook
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics files medical coders under “Medical Records Specialists (BLS category that includes medical coders)”. Median means half earn more and half less; pay moves a long way with state, setting and experience, so read this as a benchmark, not an offer.
Keeping the credential
Requirement: 36 AAPC-approved CEUs every two years for one core credential, earned and submitted within the renewal period (no carryover; CEUs earned before certification do not count; 25% of submissions are audited)
Fee: Individual membership renewal $229 + tax per year; $50 fee for a CEU extension
The exam is the step most people underprepare for
ExamCert AI has 1,000 CPC practice questions with explanations, built around the same outline this page walks through. Work them by domain, find the weak area, and fix it before test day.
Practise CPC on ExamCert AICPC Exam Content Outline 2026FAQ
Do you need a degree to become a medical coder?
No degree is required to take the CPC exam. BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award as the typical entry-level education for medical records specialists, and AAPC recommends completing a CPC training course before the exam.
What is a CPC-A and how do you remove it?
New coders who pass without two years of experience are designated CPC-A (apprentice). You remove the A with two years of coding employment, one year of employment plus Practicode or an 80-hour course, Practicode plus an 80-hour course, or AAPC's Job-Ready Program.
How much does it cost to get CPC certified?
The exam costs $425 for one attempt or $499 for two ($400/$475 student pricing), and you must also hold AAPC membership (individual renewal $229 per year). Training course costs are extra.
How much do medical coders make?
BLS groups coders under medical records specialists, with a median annual wage of $51,140 in May 2025 and projected employment growth of 8% from 2025 to 2035.
Sources
Figures on this page come from AAPC and the other primary sources below:
- AAPC - Taking the CPC exam (format, fees, books, breakdown)
- AAPC - How much does the exam cost? (support)
- AAPC - How to remove your Apprentice (A) designation
- AAPC - CEU Policies
- AAPC - CEU Questions and Answers
- AAPC - Membership
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook - Medical Records Specialists
Checked September 25, 2026. Fees, outlines and eligibility rules change — confirm with AAPC before you book.