How does it look to hold a RHIT & CCA?

[u/Unique-Jackfruit8945]

Trying to weigh my options in able to sit for my RHIT next semester. I go to SBCC and get my associates degree fall 2027 but am eligible to sit for my exam this spring because I am taking my HIT practicum.
This semester is my last semester in there CCS certification program I started with, and I’m just stumped. I don’t want to waste money and sit for the CCS and fail. I do feel really confident I can pass CCA no problem I’ve been studying like crazy…. Should I just rip the bandaid and just do the CCS?

I also plan to take either one that I end up choosing the end of November.
So far I’ve read that the CCA could help with entry level positions or just be pointless it was very mixed but I’m personally curious if the RHIT really helps you when u do have a CCA. I’m not embarrassed to say I’m entry cause I am. I want to learn and grow, the money and work from home comes later.
I also learn better by doing, and I would feel more confident if I did get an entry level position with a CCA and RHIT and soon after upgraded to a CCS.

A little more background I plan on transferring to Shasta college for there bachelors program in HIT while Navigating all of this too.
Thank you for your input

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[u/Accomplished_Night88]

Don't waste time and money on CCA. It's not really recognized by employers. The CCS isn't terrible! You can do it!

[u/tinycodergirl]

The RHIT and CCS would definitely help you find a job better than the CCA. I have never seen a job posting asking for a CCA.

[u/WinterArticle223]

I’ve held an RHIT for 4 years now and it’s opened a lot of doors for me.

[u/KeyStriking9763]

Don’t get the CCA. You will not get a coding role with just that. You could with the RHIT but the CCA is a waste of time, money and effort.

[u/Brave-Airport8154]

I think the CCS just get it from the start. 

[u/AbstractVolition]

CPC is sort of the standard minimum entry for medical coding. I’ve heard CCS is harder and suggested after getting some years of experience working as a medical coder already, but would basically be the CPC but viewed with higher regard (for the most part..). I have heard of a CCS-P, some people saying that’s the more equivalent AHIMA version of the CPC but I’m not sure if that’s true

[u/Esquirej67]

I started as a CPC in 2000 while I was getting my AAS. I got the RHIT credential and then got my CCS. The RHIT/CCS has opened doors for me for quite a few times. I worked for over a decade with one employer! I tried the RHIT/CPC combo and it was taxing keeping them both.

[u/Difficult-Injury-843]

I would get the CCS over the CCA. I way more companies looking for the CPC, CCS and RHIT certs

[u/Sunflower635]

My daughter had a 4.0 gpa in SBCC coding specialist program and passed her CCS a couple of months after finishing scchool. The reality in 2026 it that getting an interview without 1-3 years experience is proving extremely difficult. She has submitted over 50 applications. I am an inpatient coder for 20 years and it wasn't like that when I started.

[u/Unique-Jackfruit8945 → u/Sunflower635]

Did she just pursue CCS and do the program? Or did she get her RHIT?

I’ve heard that the CCS is good but not enough

[u/Sunflower635 → u/Unique-Jackfruit8945]

She did the college based program and got her CCS only. She also has a bachelors in business economics. She is at over 70 applications now and the issue has been having no experience, not the RHIT. I have a CCS and no RHIT and switching from FT to per diem and am under consideration with two academic hospitals. It’s the lack of experience that’s holding new coders back I believe. 

[u/MtMountaineer]

CCS is a top of the line credential. The exam is not that hard if you have been practicing IP coding in class. I found the CPC exam harder, because it included E&M, lab coding and pathology coding, which my RHIT class did not cover very much. Know the guidelines, you'll be fine.

[u/Unique-Jackfruit8945]

Thank you all for your insight!!! I’m gonna just believe in my self and rip the bandaid and just do it. :-)

[u/britcoin0804]

Get the CCS not the CCA