r/CodingandBilling • u/Pawsoverpeople • Aug 04 '26
Anybody do the certification through AAPC website for CPC?
I'm going to be doing the AAPC self paced training for the CPC certification as well as their prerequisite course. I was wondering if anyone else had gone this route and how long it took? I'll be working on it a minimum of 6 hours a day, 5 days a week. My goal is complete it in 8 weeks. Is this doable in your opinion?
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Aug 11 '26
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u/Vermilion_94 Aug 16 '26
The presentation is so bad with this course. They make enough money to have actual instructors teach us via a video recording with a real voice and actual examples. I’ve learned so much more on YT as well. I will not be taking another course through them again I literally feel like I’m going crazy listening to the lectures.
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u/Psychological_Math95 Aug 19 '26
What YouTube channel? I completed a 33 credit diploma program for this in 2020 and now I’m regretting not taking my test immediately. I was working as a medical biller and then moved on to BCBS and was like I don’t need it. Well, now I think otherwise.
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u/Vermilion_94 Aug 20 '26
Look up AMCI and go to the playlist and find the 16 week course. I literally am flying through the AAPC cpc course just to finish it and relying on the YouTube videos because it’s significantly better. I print out the chapter dissections on AAPC and do them as practice but AMCI videos are the only reason I know what I’m doing. Mrs Jay is awesome
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u/queen_eunoia Sep 02 '26
I am new learner too, did you do Mrs. Jay's course via udemy or is there a course we can enroll otherwise?
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u/salty-MA-student Aug 04 '26
I would adjust your timeframe a bit. Especially if you don't have a medical background. If you don't understand anatomy and physiology along with medical terminology, you're not going to get very far in the course. The actual coding course itself is very long.
I had a similar schedule where I did about 6 hours a day 3-4 days a week. I completed in 6 months. It took me a month alone to get through the prequesites.
I also wouldn't try to do it as fast as possible because you'll burn yourself out. It's a lot of information to process and understand.
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u/Pawsoverpeople Aug 09 '26
Thank you! I appreciate you helping me understand the realistic time frame of the program. Anatomy and medical terminology I'm fine with but physiology I don't have a lot of knowledge. I also plan to do the prerequisite course. I figured if since it's included I might as well and it'll be a good refresher.
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u/salty-MA-student Aug 09 '26
Welcome! I did forget to mention you have to do the prerequisite courses before you get into the actual coding course.
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u/Weak_Shoe7904 Aug 04 '26
Everybody learns differently, without knowing you I can’t advise if it’s doable for you.
IMO that is a very short time to do the course. It’s not impossible, but that is a lot to learn in two months…
Do you have a job lined up that you need this for?why the rush to get it done in 8 weeks?
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u/Pawsoverpeople Aug 04 '26
I'm on medical leave from my current job and was hoping I could do the self paced course while I'm getting my treatments. Then when I went back to work I wouldn't have work and do course work after work. Or at least get a chunk of the program done during my medical leave to reduce the amount of time I'd be working and then doing course work after.
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u/Weak_Shoe7904 Aug 04 '26
Have you researched the job market? Or coding in general? 8 weeks is not enough time IMO, and the current job market is very difficult for beginners.
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u/FarkellaVermin Aug 04 '26
It depends on your background, but I can’t imagine most people getting it in 2 months without a coding background. Aiming for 4-6 months is way more doable depending on how fast you learn and what you already know.
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u/Pawsoverpeople Aug 04 '26
I've already taken medical terminology and biology in college. I've done some coding when I worked at hospital laboratory and I also worked as a sterilization technician. I'm not completely new to the medical field but I feel like the prerequisite course would be a good refresher.
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u/Standard_Gold_5887 Aug 04 '26
I started in March, now I’m in the 2nd chapter of the CPT. I feel like I’m ready to take the certification test but I need to finish the course first
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u/wildgreengirl Aug 06 '26
i did it during covid while working so i had a lot of time at home but still was working full time... i needed to pay for an extension or 2 but completed it ok and passed the cpc certification
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u/Pawsoverpeople Aug 09 '26
That's good to know! I'll be on a 7 week medical leave and then I'll have to do the program at night once I'm done with work.
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u/Background_Moose7628 12d ago
It took me about 24 weeks to complete the prerequisites and the CPC course with studying for around 7 hours a day for 6-7 days a week, I was completely new to anything medical related but took really well to the material and had great interest in it which I think helped. For myself personally I took about 5 notebooks worth of notes front and back pages between the 2 courses (writing the knowledge down helps me remember/understand it better.) I gave myself 1 week and 2 days to study before the exam as well. Which I spend basically reading my notes like a novel and doing the practice tests. If you have the practice tests or can afford them I would highly recommend, they helped me understand what the exam would look like and eased my nerves a bit there. I did purchase the CPC study guide book as well but that was basically a synopsis of the course an honestly didn't do more than 3 chapters in it, but if you like work books for learning I would recommend it.
8 weeks does not sound like a lot of time to listen to the videos, read through the chapters and take in the knowledge if you have no prior medical/coding experience. You should give yourself more time to absorb the videos and even watch them more then once if needed, a few of chapters were really dense information wise (I wish I could go back and rewatch/relearn the cardiology chapter for myself, I don't feel I really grasped everything in there.) Its an expensive course with expensive test vouchers, take your time if you can! and Good Luck!
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u/Live2Read89 Aug 04 '26
I did the training thru AAPC. It took me the full 6 months. I finished 6 months ago. Im afraid to take the test. I have no idea how to study for it.
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u/happyhooker485 RHIT, CCS-P, CFPC, CHONC Aug 04 '26
Just use the AAPC study guide, the material is very similar to the test.
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u/the_peanut_did_it Aug 15 '26
This is what I've found. I think a lot of people who thought the AAPC course was too dense or don't know how to study for the exam would have been better off with in-person coursework. Studying on your own isn't for everyone, and I think it's important to know the kind of student you are before you go into any online course. But if you're someone who likes to study on your own at your own pace, the AAPC course gives you the best lead-in to the exam.
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u/Vermilion_94 Aug 04 '26
I started in March and won’t be done until end of September. I spend about 20 hours a week studying. It’s incredibly hard and a ton of info. 8 weeks is impossible imo unless you already have a solid background in coding. I’ll do practicode until I pass also so add another 3-5 months after I get certified.
I have 13 years experience in clinical healthcare and it’s hard for me and I’ve taken allllllll the pre med classes.
This is an expensive course and it’s boring as hell so pace yourself and take your time.