2026 AHIMA vs. AAPC Certifications: Explaining the Difference

by Imed Bouchrika, Phd

Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist

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What is the difference between AHIMA and AAPC?

The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) are two leading organizations that offer certifications in health information and medical coding. While both organizations validate expertise in data management in the healthcare industry, their certifications differ in specific areas of focus in medical-record management and usage.

AHIMA provides credentials in the following areas:

• Medical coding
• Health information management (HIM)
• Privacy and security
• Data analytics
• Documentation

Meanwhile, AAPC offers credentials in the following areas:

• Medical coding
• Medical billing
• Medical auditing
• Practice management
• Healthcare compliance

What certifications does AHIMA provide?

AHIMA offers several certification programs in medical coding, health information management, privacy and security, data analytics, as well as documentation. They include the following:

Certified Coding Associate (CCA®)

The CCA® assesses an applicant's knowledge of clinical classification systems, reimbursement methods, and patient health information, among other essential topics. An aspiring CCA® must earn a high school diploma and pass the CCA® examination.

Certified Coding Specialist (CCS®)

The CCS® credential is a step up from the CCA® certification. An aspiring CCS® is skilled in coding inpatient and outpatient records, which are used by healthcare providers and facilities to get reimbursements from insurance firms and government programs, including Medicare and Medicaid.

Certified Coding Specialist—Physicians-based (CCS-P®)

Professionals with a CCA® or a CCS® certification can pursue the CCS-P® credential. CCS-P®-certified individuals are key to the business operations of physicians’ offices, group practices, and multi-specialty clinics. They act as links to insurance firms or government agencies for medical-expense reimbursement.

Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT®)

The RHIT® credential is granted to professionals who are experts in the quality assurance of medical records. Individuals with this certification verify the completeness, accuracy, and proper entry of health records. They may work in hospitals, physicians’ offices, nursing homes, mental health facilities, and pharmaceutical companies, among other settings.

Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA®)

The RHIA® credential demonstrates the knowledge and skills of professionals in health information management, people and operations management, as well as budget planning. They work with colleagues from different areas or departments of an organization, such as clinical, financial, administrative, and information systems.

What certifications does AAPC provide?

The AAPC offers numerous certifications in medical coding, medical billing, medical auditing, practice management, compliance, and documentation. The following certifications are some examples.

Certified Professional Coder (CPC)®

CPC® is a reputable credential for medical coding. The required examination assesses the coding skills of candidates for services provided by physicians and non-physicians. Professionals with a CPC® certification are experts in documentation review; abstract professional provider encounters; coding capabilities with CPT®, HCPCS Level II, ICD-10-CM; and regulatory compliance.

Certified Professional Biller (CPB)®

Professionals with the CPB® certification are experts in medical billing and insurance-claims processes in healthcare. They are equipped with skills that ensure efficient revenue-cycle management—from patient and payer billing to collections. They are also responsible for compliance with government and private-firm policies.

Certified Professional Medical Auditor (CPMA)®

Professionals with the CPMA® credential help enhance the revenue cycle of almost all kinds of healthcare practices. They are well-educated in coding and documentation guidelines to make sure that organizations are compliant. A CPMA® is also skilled in presenting the results and findings of quality-assurance tasks and coding-risk analyses.

Certified Physician Practice Manager (CPPM)®

The CPPM® certification is granted to professionals that are skilled in business-operations management in medical practices. Their expertise includes health information, revenue cycle, and compliance. Medical coders and billers aiming to take on supervisory roles may want to pursue the CPPM® credential.

Certified Professional Compliance Officer (CPCO)®

The CPCO® credential is given to professionals seeking to specialize in healthcare compliance. Individuals who earn have great knowledge of government regulations, fraud and abuse laws, as well as industry standards. They are responsible for developing effective compliance programs for organizations, which helps determine threats in coding, billing, and documentation. They also come up with corrective action plans and keep track of outcomes.

Notably, many students begin their careers through accelerated online medical billing and coding certificate programs, which provide foundational skills and faster preparation for AAPC certification exams.

How do AHIMA certifications compare to AAPC certifications?

AHIMA and AAPC have designed several of their certification programs based on similar assessment objectives. For instance, AAPC’s Certified Professional Coder (CPC)® credential and AHIMA’s Certified Coding Associate (CCA®) and Certified Coding Specialist (CCS®) certifications all require candidates to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the medical coding of inpatient and outpatient records.

Notably, aside from their expertise in medical coding, professionals with AHIMA’s Certified Coding Specialist (CCS®) credential are also skilled in medical billing. However, professionals aiming to get certified by AAPC in medical billing must pursue the Certified Professional Biller (CPB)® credential.

Both organizations also have certifications for healthcare compliance, quality assurance, and administrative leadership. For quality assurance, AHIMA offers the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT®) certification, while AAPC offers the Certified Professional Medical Auditor (CPMA)® credential.

Meanwhile, for leadership, AHIMA grants the Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA®) credential, while AAPC grants the Certified Physician Practice Manager (CPPM)® certification. These certification programs represent some of the most recognized medical coding and billing certification options in the healthcare industry.

Aspiring professionals often ask, “How long does it take to be a medical coder?” The answer depends on the chosen certification path, education level, and training program duration.

How much do AHIMA and AAPC certifications cost?

The cost of AHIMA and AAPC certifications varies based on membership status and exam type. AHIMA certification exams range from $229 to $399, with members paying lower fees. The Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam costs $299 for non-members and $199 for members, while advanced credentials, such as the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) and Certified Coding Specialist–Physician-based (CCS-P) cost $399 for non-members and $299 for members.

Similarly, the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) and Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) exams cost $299 for non-members and $229 for members.

AAPC’s core certification exams, including Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Professional Biller (CPB), and Certified Professional Medical Auditor (CPMA), cost $399 for one attempt and $499 for two attempts. Meanwhile, student exam pricing is $375 for one attempt and $475 for two attempts.

The chart below provides a visualization of the cost of AHIMA and AAPC certifications based on current data from the websites of these organizations.

When weighing certification costs, it’s helpful to think about career investment much like comparing DBA vs. MBA salary, where the potential earnings and career outcomes depend on the level and type of credential earned. Both AHIMA and AAPC certifications serve as valuable investments for long-term professional advancement.

What are the differences between the examination formats of an AHIMA certification and a AAPC certification?

The examination formats for AHIMA and AAPC certifications differ in structure, duration, and testing experience. AHIMA examinations are administered through Pearson VUE and require candidates to review and confirm the Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreement first, and then read the on-screen instructions before the timed test begins.

Each AHIMA exam varies in question count and allotted time, with no scheduled breaks. However, in-person test-takers may pause at their discretion without stopping the timer. Remotely proctored AHIMA exams prohibit leaving the camera’s view.

In contrast, AAPC examinations feature 100 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 4 hours. Candidates can test online with a live remote proctor or at a testing center. Online examinees must ensure a distraction-free room, reliable internet, and webcam visibility. Meanwhile, in-person testing requires no additional equipment.

Much like comparing teaching frameworks such as difference between ABA and CBT, both AHIMA and AAPC exams test similar skill sets but differ in structure, focus, and assessment approach. The key lies in understanding which format best aligns with your learning and professional style.

What jobs can I get with an AHIMA certification or an AAPC certification?

Certified professionals in health information management can pursue diverse careers that ensure accurate medical documentation, secure data systems, and compliance with healthcare regulations across hospitals, clinics, and insurance organizations.

Medical Records Specialists

Medical records specialists organize, review, and maintain patient health records across healthcare settings. They ensure that records are accurate, complete, and compliant with regulations. They also support healthcare providers and insurance companies by verifying data for reimbursement and audits. In May 2024, medical records specialists in the US had a median annual wage of $50,250 (US BLS, 2025).

Medical Transcriptionists

Medical transcriptionists listen to voice recordings from healthcare professionals and convert them into written medical documents. They prepare accurate reports, discharge summaries, and clinical notes using proper medical terminology. They also maintain confidentiality and ensure that documentation meets regulatory and organizational standards. In May 2024, medical transcriptionists across the US had a median annual wage of $37,550 (US BLS, 2025).

Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars

Health information technologists and medical registrars manage health databases and patient registries to ensure data accuracy and integrity. They analyze healthcare information for research, reporting, and quality improvement. In May 2024, health information technologists and medical registrars in the US had a median annual wage of $67,310 (US BLS, 2025).

These roles often overlap with the many jobs you can get with a health information management degree, offering opportunities in coding, data analysis, and healthcare administration.

The chart below provides a visualization of the 2024 median annual wages of professionals in the field of health information management in the US, according to 2025 data from the US BLS. 

Similarly, the range of positions reflects how education paths such as project management degree or certificate programs open specialized career tracks depending on whether a student pursues a short-term credential or a full academic degree.

How often do you need to recertify for an AHIMA certification vs an AAPC certification?

Professionals with an AHIMA certification are required to earn the required number of continuing education units (CEUs) within the 2-year recertification cycle. On the last day of recertification, the accounts of candidates will be reviewed automatically. Once the required CEUs have been approved and fees have been paid, successful candidates will roll over to their next 2-year recertification cycle. The accounts of unsuccessful candidates will become inactive.

Similarly, AAPC certifications are required to be renewed every 2 years by obtaining CEUs, which are reported on or before membership due dates. Notably, candidates must pay membership fees every year. Newly certified professionals will have pro-rated CEUs to align with their existing renewal month for their first submission. However, CEUs obtained before certification are not allowed.

What continuing education (CE) requirements do AHIMA and AAPC certifications have?

Both AHIMA and AAPC require certified professionals to earn continuing education units (CEUs) to maintain their credentials and stay current in the evolving healthcare field.

AHIMA credential holders must earn CEUs during their recertification cycle, with activities relevant to the Health Information and Informatics Management (HIIM) domains. CEUs are time-based—0.5 CEUs are awarded for every 30 minutes of qualified participation in professional learning, such as workshops, webinars, or conferences.

AAPC certifications also require CEUs, but the number and focus areas vary by credential. For instance, CIRCC, CPMA, CPCO, CDEO, and CPPM each require 16 CEUs directly related to their specialization, while specialty credentials require 8 CEUs specific to the field.

These continuing education standards ensure that both AHIMA and AAPC professionals maintain up-to-date knowledge and industry compliance. This ongoing learning aligns with the broader importance of professional development—similar to the benefits of a graduate business certificate, where continued education expands expertise, strengthens credentials, and enhances employability in a competitive job market.

Which certification do employers prefer: AHIMA or AAPC?

Both AHIMA and AAPC certifications are highly respected in the healthcare industry, and employer preference often depends on organizational needs. AHIMA certifications are usually preferred by hospitals and large healthcare facilities, as they emphasize medical coding, health information management, and data quality assurance. Meanwhile, AAPC certifications focus on coding accuracy, medical billing, and compliance.

Employers recognize both organizations for their rigorous standards and industry relevance. Candidates with certifications from either demonstrate strong technical and regulatory expertise. These credentials improve their competitiveness for positions in medical coding, insurance-claims processing, and health information administration.

Students pursuing accelerated associates in medical billing and coding can gain the academic foundation and practical training needed to qualify for these professional certifications and advance in healthcare careers.

Other Things You Should Know About AHIMA and AAPC Certifications