You can enter medical billing and coding without a single universally required degree or certification: employers set different requirements. A practical route is to learn medical terminology, anatomy and coding basics; check local job postings; choose training and a credential suited to the work you want; then apply for roles that match your experience. A course, exam pass, and job offer are separate milestones—not guarantees of one another.
What medical billing and coding work involves
Medical records specialists work with health information, often at a computer. Coding-related work involves translating clinical documentation into standardized codes; billing and claims-related roles may focus on payment and insurance processes. The exact mix varies by job. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that this is one of the few health-related occupations without direct hands-on patient care, though some facilities operate nights and weekends and most workers work full time. BLS: Medical Records Specialists
BLS groups coding work within the broader occupation of medical records specialists. For that U.S. occupation, it reports a median annual wage of $51,140 in May 2025, projected employment growth of 8% from 2025 to 2035, and about 14,000 openings per year on average over that period. These are occupation-wide figures, not a wage or hiring forecast for every billing job, new coder, or location; BLS says many openings are expected as workers leave the occupation or labor force.
Follow a practical entry route
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Build the foundations
Study medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, basic diagnosis and procedure coding, and how documentation connects to reimbursement. AHIMA recommends anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, and basic ICD and CPT coding as preparation for its early-career CCA credential. BLS also describes these subjects in typical certificate and associate programs. AHIMA: CCA
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Check local job requirements before paying for training
Search postings for titles such as coding assistant, medical records specialist, billing specialist, and claims support. Note the education, experience, credentials, and software skills each employer requests. BLS says some positions accept a high school diploma and healthcare experience, others typically require a postsecondary certificate, and some may require an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Employer expectations differ, so a national credential page cannot tell you what a particular local employer requires.
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Choose training and a credential that fit your target work
Compare the scope of credentials before enrolling. AHIMA positions its Certified Coding Associate (CCA) as an early-career option; a high school diploma is its stated minimum eligibility. AHIMA’s preparation routes are recommendations, not additional eligibility requirements.
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For outpatient or physician-service coding, compare the AAPC Certified Professional Coder (CPC), whose exam covers ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS Level II. AHIMA frames its Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) as a progression for coders with relevant inpatient and outpatient coding experience or a CCA, rather than as its beginner credential. Its recommended preparation includes advanced coursework and experience or other specified credentials and experience. Neither source establishes one credential as the best choice for everyone.
Course completion, eligibility to sit an exam, passing the exam, and getting hired are separate outcomes. Review job postings and the credential’s official scope before deciding what to pursue.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchSpecial offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.For current details, see AHIMA CCA, AHIMA CCS, and AAPC CPC.
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Confirm exam materials and budget the full cost
Check the current exam rules, required books, membership terms, course fees, and retake costs directly with the credentialing organization. AHIMA says candidates taking its CCA, CCS, or CCS-P exams on or after May 1, 2026 must bring the applicable 2026 code books; candidates without the correct books may be barred from testing and forfeit exam fees. The required books vary by exam, so verify the exact official list before buying.
On the cited pages, AHIMA listed CCA exam fees of $199 for members and $299 for non-members; AAPC listed CPC exam pricing starting at $425 and training starting at $2,799. These are page-listed prices, not guaranteed current totals. Check the organizations’ pages for current pricing and any additional costs.
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Apply for roles that fit your current experience
Use your posting notes to target positions whose requirements you meet. If a listing asks for experience you do not yet have, consider related billing, records, claims-support, or healthcare-administration roles that build relevant skills, provided their stated qualifications fit your background. Keep learning as coding rules and job requirements change.
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What to expect from certification and ongoing maintenance
A credential can document knowledge, but it does not replace employer-specific requirements or guarantee employment. AHIMA describes two-year recertification periods with continuing education for its credentials; AAPC says CPC holders must maintain annual membership and earn 36 continuing education units every two years. Confirm current renewal rules with the organization for the credential you hold: AHIMA CCA, AHIMA CCS, and AAPC CPC.
Is this work a fit?
BLS identifies analytical ability, attention to detail, integrity, and interpersonal skills as useful qualities for medical records specialists. The work may suit someone who prefers careful, computer-based records tasks to direct patient care. The role’s working hours and duties depend on the employer, so check the specific listing rather than assuming every position is a standard weekday office job. BLS: Medical Records Specialists
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