Although medical records and coding technicians are not required to complete certification for employment, it is extremely difficult to find a job in the industry if you do not have certification credentials. Generally, employers look for candidates that have completed a certificate through an accredited college program, and gone on to receive certification from a widely recognized organization such as the American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC) or the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Through these organizations, you will be able to find colleges that offer certification, as well as complete requirements to receive your certification credentials.

Both organizations offer a variety of different credential levels and types. The American Association of Professional Coders has classifications including Certified Professional Coder, Certified Professional Coder-Hospital, Certified Professional Coder-Payer, Certified Interventional Radiology Cardiovascular Coder, and a variety of specialty credentials including Registered Health Information Technicians. From the American Health Information Management Association, you may be eligible for Certified Coding Associate, Certified Coding Specialist, Certified in Healthcare Privacy and Security, Registered Health Information Administrator, Registered Health Information Technician, and more. These certifications will provide you with the credentials you need to work in a variety of settings as a medical coder.

In order to obtain any of these credentials, you must complete an associate’s degree in the appropriate field of study for your specialty, pay to apply and/or pay to take the exam, achieve a passing score for the exam, and in some cases, join the AAPC or AHIMA as a member. Once you have successfully completed these steps, you will receive your medical coding certificate and be ready to work as a medical coder. However, you will be expected to maintain your certification, generally through renewed membership as well as continuing education in medical coding.