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Medical Coder — Certification
Certifying Organizations
AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders) and AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association) — both are the recognized national certifying bodies for medical coders. No Alaska state licensing board exists for this profession.
Official website →Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
No
State License Required
Yes (by employers)
Certification Required
$399
CPC Exam Fee
36 CEUs every 2 years
CEU Requirement
Required
HIPAA Training
$2,089-$5,589
Total Investment
National certification requirements — medical coding is not state-licensed
VerifiedState License Required
No
No US state requires a license to work as a medical coder
Employer Certification Required
Yes
Virtually all employers require CPC or CCS certification
HIPAA Training
Required
Federal requirement for handling protected health information
Primary Certifications
Certifying Bodies
Medical coding is a certification-based profession, not a state-licensed one. No US state requires a license to work as a medical coder. However, the AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders) and AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association) are the two primary certifying organizations, and virtually all employers require certification through one of these bodies.
Not sure if you need a medical coder license? Check whether your state requires one.
State-specific employer and workplace requirements
VerifiedEmployer Certification Mandates
Most employers require AAPC CPC or AHIMA CCS/CCA certification. Some healthcare systems also require specialty certifications depending on the clinical area.
Background Check
Typically Required
Medical coding is not regulated at the state level. Requirements listed here reflect typical employer expectations in Alaska. Most healthcare employers require national certification (CPC or CCS) and HIPAA compliance training, and many require background checks for employees who access protected health information.
Education, Training & Program Requirements
VerifiedMinimum Education
High school diploma or equivalent (required for certification exam eligibility)
Program Duration
4-24 months depending on program type (certificate vs. associate degree)
Recommended Programs
Accreditation
CAHIIM (Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education) accreditation recommended for AHIMA credentials; AAPC approves specific training programs
While a high school diploma is the minimum requirement, most successful medical coders complete a certificate or associate degree program in medical coding. AAPC requires completion of a medical coding course or relevant experience to sit for the CPC exam. AHIMA credentials may require CAHIIM-accredited programs.
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Exam Details & Fees
VerifiedCPC Exam Format
150 multiple-choice questions, 5 hours 40 minutes, 70% passing score, open-codebook exam
CCS Exam Format
Multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank questions covering ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, and CPT coding; AHIMA-proctored
Exam Fees
CPC Exam (AAPC Member)
$399
AAPC member price
CPC Exam (Non-Member)
$499
Non-member price
CCS Exam (AHIMA Member)
$399
AHIMA member price
CCS Exam (Non-Member)
$499
Non-member price
CCA Exam (AHIMA Member)
$299
AHIMA member price
CCA Exam (Non-Member)
$399
Non-member price
The CPC exam from AAPC is the most widely recognized medical coding certification. It consists of 150 multiple-choice questions, lasts 5 hours and 40 minutes, and requires a 70% passing score. It is an open-codebook exam. The AHIMA CCS exam covers inpatient and outpatient coding with both multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank questions.
Overall licensing difficulty: 9/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Practice with realistic exam questions
CBCS Exam (Certified Billing & Coding Specialist)
Browse study guides
Medical Coding Certification Study Materials
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Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
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CPC (Certified Professional Coder) Exam
Questions
100 questions
Time Limit
5 hours 40 minutes
Format
Multiple choice, open-codebook
Cost of failing
Retake fee: $299-$499Invest in preparation to pass the first time.
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the CPC (Certified Professional Coder) Exam.
Study Materials & Exam Prep — CPC Exam
Prepare for your CPC Exam with Mometrix study guides, flashcards, and practice tests.
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| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Certification Exam Fee Range covers CCA ($299 member) to CPC/CCS ($499 non-member). Member pricing requires AAPC ($190/year) or AHIMA ($229/year) membership. | $299-$499 |
AAPC Membership (Annual) Annual AAPC membership fee | $190 |
AHIMA Membership (Annual) Annual AHIMA membership fee (Active member) | $229 |
Training Program Cost Typical range for medical coding certificate programs; associate degree programs may cost more | $1,500-$5,000 |
Total Initial Investment Includes training program ($1,500-$5,000), AAPC membership ($190), and CPC exam ($399 member price). Costs vary by program choice and certification path. | $2,089-$5,589 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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Renewal Requirements & CEU Obligations
Verified36 CEUs every 2 years
CPC CEU Requirement
30 CEUs every 2 years
CCS CEU Requirement
Required
Continuing Education
Renewal Cycle
2-year certification renewal cycle; annual membership renewal
AAPC Annual Membership
$190(Annual AAPC membership required to maintain CPC credential)
Maintaining medical coding certification requires ongoing continuing education. AAPC CPC holders must earn 36 CEUs every 2 years and maintain annual AAPC membership ($190/year). AHIMA CCS holders must earn 30 CEUs every 2 years. CEUs can be earned through workshops, conferences, online courses, and self-study approved by the certifying organization.
Alaska's remote healthcare facilities and telemedicine growth create unique coding opportunities. No state license is required.
Medical coding is NOT a state-licensed profession in any US state. It is a certification-based profession governed by national organizations (AAPC and AHIMA).
While no state law requires certification, virtually all employers require AAPC CPC or AHIMA CCS/CCA certification to be hired as a medical coder.
All medical coders must comply with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) federal privacy regulations when handling protected health information (PHI).
Remote medical coding positions are widely available, allowing coders certified in any state to work for employers nationwide.
Alaska does not require a state license to work as a medical coder. National certification through AAPC or AHIMA is the industry standard.
Medical coding is not a state-licensed profession. No interstate compact exists. Certification is voluntary and employer-driven.
accurate. No US state, including Alaska, requires a state license to work as a medical coder.
Medical Coder requirements in nearby states
| State | Total Cost | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska (you) | $2,089–$5,589 | 20–96 wks | |
| Washington | $2,089–$5,589 | 20–96 wks | → |
| Hawaii | $2,089–$5,589 | 20–96 wks | → |
See how Alaska compares: Medical Coder License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
Compare medical coder requirements across all states →
Medical Coder licensing requirements nationwide →
Not sure medical coder is right for you? Find careers that match your situation →
How does Alaska compare to other states for medical coder? See the full comparison →
Calculate the return on investment for your medical coder license →
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Alaska.
Medical Coder Schools in Alaska
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Study guides for CPC, CCS, and CCA medical coding certification exams.
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Official Sources
Medical Coder requirements in Alaska verified against AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders) and AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association) — both are the recognized national certifying bodies for medical coders. No Alaska state licensing board exists for this profession., March 2026.
Accessed 2025-01-15
Accessed 2025-01-15
Accessed 2025-01-15
Moving to Alaska? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Medical Coder license to Alaska →
Alaska does not require a state license to work as a medical coder. National certification through AAPC (CPC) or AHIMA (CCS/CCA) is the industry standard and is required by virtually all employers. The certifying organizations are the AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders) and AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association) — both are the recognized national certifying bodies for medical coders. No Alaska state licensing board exists for this profession..
Requirements reflect employer expectations. Always verify current certification requirements with AAPC or AHIMA.