These five abbreviations appear in nearly every course listing. They are credentials issued by outside organizations, not by the course. Completing a course does not confer any of them; you earn one by meeting the issuer's requirements and passing its exam. Requirements and fees change, so always confirm on the issuer's page before you pay for anything.
At a glance
| Credential | Full name | Issuer | Primary focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPC | Certified Professional Coder | AAPC | Coding |
| CPB | Certified Professional Biller | AAPC | Billing |
| CCA | Certified Coding Associate | AHIMA | Coding (entry level) |
| CCS | Certified Coding Specialist | AHIMA | Coding (experienced) |
| CBCS | Certified Billing and Coding Specialist | NHA | Billing and coding |
CPC: Certified Professional Coder (AAPC)
Issued by AAPC, the American Academy of Professional Coders. We could not read AAPC's pages with automated tools, so we do not state its audience, eligibility, exam fee, exam format or renewal rules here. Check AAPC's current requirements at [aapc.com](https://www.aapc.com), including any membership requirement, any experience requirement attached to the credential, and fees. CPC is the credential most often named in listings in this directory: 64 programs mention it (this directory's published records, October 2026; the figures describe listed programs, not the whole market). Browse CPC preparation courses.
CPB: Certified Professional Biller (AAPC)
Also issued by AAPC. The same limitation applies: confirm the audience, eligibility and exam details on AAPC's own site. Nine programs in the directory mention CPB. See CPB preparation courses.
CCA: Certified Coding Associate (AHIMA)
Issued by AHIMA, the American Health Information Management Association.
- Intended audience. AHIMA says the CCA "is ideal for early-career professionals ready to start their journey in the healthcare industry."
- Eligibility. AHIMA states: "Candidates who want to sit for the CCA exam must have a high school diploma." Coding experience or a training program is suggested, not required.
- Exam cost. AHIMA states $199 for members and $299 for non-members.
- Exam format. 105 questions (90 scored, 15 pretest), computer-based.
- Renewal. A 2-year certification period, with continuing education units and a recertification fee.
Forty-three programs in the directory mention CCA. See CCA preparation courses.
CCS: Certified Coding Specialist (AHIMA)
Issued by AHIMA.
- Intended audience. AHIMA describes the CCS as "a natural progression for professionals experienced in coding inpatient and outpatient records," and it is designed for people skilled in classifying medical data from medical records.
- Eligibility. AHIMA states that certain backgrounds are "recommended, not required," including at least two years of related coding experience directly applying codes, or a CCA plus a year of hands-on coding, among other listed paths. Because it is recommended rather than required, check AHIMA's page for the current wording.
- Exam cost. $299 for members and $399 for non-members.
- Exam format. 107 questions (97 scored, 10 pretest), computer-based.
- Renewal. A 2-year certification period with continuing education and a fee.
AHIMA's recommended experience means the CCS is generally not aimed at complete beginners. Twelve programs mention CCS. See CCS preparation courses.
CBCS: Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (NHA)
Issued by NHA, the National Healthcareer Association. Its pages could not be read by automated tools, so confirm the intended audience, eligibility pathways, exam fee, exam content and renewal on the issuer's page linked in the sources. Thirty-seven programs mention CBCS. See CBCS preparation courses.
How to read "prepares you for"
When a listing says a course prepares you for an exam, it means the content is aligned to that exam, as the provider describes it. It does not mean you will pass, that the exam fee is included, or that you meet the issuer's eligibility rules. Whether a voucher is included is a separate field; see exam vouchers, books and membership costs.
Other credentials you will see
The records also name CCS-P (5 programs), CRC (3), COC, CPMA and CIC (1 each). We have not confirmed their requirements from the issuers, so check each issuer directly.
Choosing among them
- Read job postings in your area; many name a credential.
- Match the credential to your focus (billing vs. coding).
- Check the issuer's eligibility and cost before enrolling.
- Compare courses by what they say, using how to compare online training.
No credential guarantees employment. For labor-market context, see the Bureau of Labor Statistics figures cited in our billing vs. coding guide. Browse everything in the directory.
Sources
- AHIMA, Certified Coding Associate (CCA) (ahima.org)
- AHIMA, Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) (ahima.org)
- AAPC (check current certification requirements) (aapc.com)
- NHA, Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) (nhanow.com)