How do I become a Certified Professional Coder?
To become a Certified Professional Coder, you’ll need to
- Earn your high school diploma.
- Get medical coding training.
- Sit and pass the CPC exam.
- Provide proof of completion of 80 contact hours of a medical coding preparation course and the AAPC Practicode course OR complete 2 years of documented work experience as a medical coding professional.
With our Medical Coding Professional Training, you’re able to skip over the work experience portion to become fully certified since our program is approved for the 80 contact hours needed and the cost of the AAPC Practicode course is covered by your tuition.
What is the CPC exam?
Offered through the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam is a test that measures medical coding proficiency. It consists of 100 multiple-choice questions. Most questions involve various coding scenarios to test your knowledge of the proper application of PT® procedure codes, HCPCS Level II supply codes, and ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes.
This is a timed exam, so you have 4 hours to complete it and must get at least 70% of questions correct to pass the exam.
What is CPC-A apprentice status?
After passing the AAPC Certified Professional Coder (CPC) certification exam, most medical coders will remain credentialed at the CPC-A (apprentice) level until they have fulfilled a 2-year work experience requirement. To help you accelerate your new career as a certified professional coder we’ve included the cost of the AAPC Practicode course. Successful completion of the Penn Foster Medical Coding Professional program and the AAPC Practicode course meets the work experience requirement allowing you to obtain the full CPC certification credential when you pass the AAPC Certified Professional Coder (CPC) certification exam.
What happens if I fail the CPC exam?
If you fail the CPC exam, you are able to retake the test. As part of your tuition, Penn Foster will cover the cost of 2 exam attempts.
Where can I work as a Certified Professional Coder?
Certified Professional Coders can work in a variety of healthcare settings, including:
- Doctor’s offices
- Hospitals
- Insurance companies
- Skilled nursing facilities
Depending on the organization you work for and your particular responsibilities, many coders can eventually work from home, making it a flexible career option for those who prefer remote work. In fact, 64.8% of medical records specialists work remotely!**
How much do certified medical coders make?
As of 2025, the average salary for a certified medical coder was $51,140.*
Online medical coding classes vs in-person training: which is right for me?
Whether online or in-person medical coding classes are a better fit really depends on your life and what you’re looking for. With online classes, like Penn Foster’s Medical Coding Program, there’s usually more flexibility since there are no scheduled class times or due dates, which can make it a better fit for someone with a busy life. Additionally, online classes can be a bit more budget friendly, offering monthly payment plan options instead of financing loans.
| Penn Foster (Online) | In-Person Schools | |
|---|---|---|
| Fully online | Yes | No |
| Self-paced | Yes | Varies |
| Certification prep | Yes | Sometimes |
| Exam vouchers included | Yes | Rarely |