Wiki CPC-A Removal

Option 1: 2-year employment verification

Employment verification from previous employers, current employers, externships, or a combination of all three are accepted. Professional coding experience both before and after certification applies.

Submission requirements:

  • Employer(s) verification of at least 2-years on-the-job experience using the CPT®, ICD-10-CM, or HCPCS Level II code sets.
  • Only employers, supervisors, or an HR department can verify time spent coding within an organization.
  • Letter(s) of verification must meet these requirements:
    • Include coding experience achieved, and amount of time in that capacity
    • Submitted on company letterhead
    • Letter(s) must be hand signed, dated, and include current contact information for verification purposes
    • Letter(s) must be provided to member in a non-editable format (pdf) for member to upload
Option 2: 1-year employment verificationAND completion of 80-hour coding preparation course or completion of AAPC’s Practicode

1-year employment verification

Employment verification from previous employers, current employers, externships, or a combination of all three are accepted. Professional coding experience both before and after certification applies.

Submission requirements:

  • Employer(s) verification of at least 1-year on-the-job experience using the CPT®, ICD-10-CM, or HCPCS Level II code sets.
  • Only employers, supervisors, or an HR department can verify time spent coding within an organization.
  • Letter(s)of verification must include:
    • Coding experience achieved and amount of time in that capacity
    • Submitted on company letterhead
    • Letter(s) must be hand signed, dated, and include current contact information for verification purposes
    • Letter(s) must be provided to member in an non-editable format (pdf) for member to upload
80-hour coding course completion or AAPC’s Practicode completion

To meet this requirement, proof of completing at least 80 contact hours of a coding preparation course (not CEUs) must be submitted, OR completion of AAPC’s Practicode.

Submission requirement options for 80-hour coding course:

  • Instructor letter on school letterhead verifying completion of at least 80 contact hours.
  • Certificate/diploma stating at least 80 contact hours
  • Unofficial school transcript showing at least 80 contact hours
Submission requirement for AAPC’s Practicode

  • Documentation proving completion of AAPC’s Practicode is not required as our system recognizes member accomplishment.
Option 3: 80-hour coding course completion AND AAPC’s Practicode completion

80-hour coding course completion

To meet this requirement, proof of completing at least 80 contact hours of a coding preparation course (not CEUs) must be submitted.

Submission requirements:

  • Instructor letter on school letterhead verifying completion of at least 80 contact hours.
  • Certificate/diploma stating at least 80 contact hours
  • Unofficial school transcript showing at least 80 contact hours
AAPC’s Practicode completion

Submission requirements:

  • Documentation proving completion of AAPC’s Practicode is not required as our system recognizes member accomplishment.
  • Upload all verification documents via the Apprentice Removal Application and expect 2-4 weeks for processing.
 
Option 1: 2-year employment verification

Employment verification from previous employers, current employers, externships, or a combination of all three are accepted. Professional coding experience both before and after certification applies.

Submission requirements:

  • Employer(s) verification of at least 2-years on-the-job experience using the CPT®, ICD-10-CM, or HCPCS Level II code sets.
  • Only employers, supervisors, or an HR department can verify time spent coding within an organization.
  • Letter(s) of verification must meet these requirements:
    • Include coding experience achieved, and amount of time in that capacity
    • Submitted on company letterhead
    • Letter(s) must be hand signed, dated, and include current contact information for verification purposes
    • Letter(s) must be provided to member in a non-editable format (pdf) for member to upload
Option 2: 1-year employment verificationAND completion of 80-hour coding preparation course or completion of AAPC’s Practicode

1-year employment verification


Employment verification from previous employers, current employers, externships, or a combination of all three are accepted. Professional coding experience both before and after certification applies.

Submission requirements:

  • Employer(s) verification of at least 1-year on-the-job experience using the CPT®, ICD-10-CM, or HCPCS Level II code sets.
  • Only employers, supervisors, or an HR department can verify time spent coding within an organization.
  • Letter(s)of verification must include:
    • Coding experience achieved and amount of time in that capacity
    • Submitted on company letterhead
    • Letter(s) must be hand signed, dated, and include current contact information for verification purposes
    • Letter(s) must be provided to member in an non-editable format (pdf) for member to upload
80-hour coding course completion or AAPC’s Practicode completion

To meet this requirement, proof of completing at least 80 contact hours of a coding preparation course (not CEUs) must be submitted, OR completion of AAPC’s Practicode.

Submission requirement options for 80-hour coding course:

  • Instructor letter on school letterhead verifying completion of at least 80 contact hours.
  • Certificate/diploma stating at least 80 contact hours
  • Unofficial school transcript showing at least 80 contact hours
Submission requirement for AAPC’s Practicode

  • Documentation proving completion of AAPC’s Practicode is not required as our system recognizes member accomplishment.
Option 3: 80-hour coding course completion AND AAPC’s Practicode completion

80-hour coding course completion


To meet this requirement, proof of completing at least 80 contact hours of a coding preparation course (not CEUs) must be submitted.

Submission requirements:

  • Instructor letter on school letterhead verifying completion of at least 80 contact hours.
  • Certificate/diploma stating at least 80 contact hours
  • Unofficial school transcript showing at least 80 contact hours
AAPC’s Practicode completion

Submission requirements:

  • Documentation proving completion of AAPC’s Practicode is not required as our system recognizes member accomplishment.
  • Upload all verification documents via the Apprentice Removal Application and expect 2-4 weeks for processing.
A year and a half ago, when I got my CPC certification, my understanding was that the AAPC coding class was considered the "80 class hours", and I just needed to complete the Practicode, or 1 year working. As I am approaching my 1-year anniversary at work, I came to double check on the requirements. (1) I am about 90% Billing, and 10% Coding, so would that count? and (2) How do I submit the transcripts, from AAPC to AAPC, or am I wrong in my assumption, and need 2 years of work?
 
A year and a half ago, when I got my CPC certification, my understanding was that the AAPC coding class was considered the "80 class hours", and I just needed to complete the Practicode, or 1 year working. As I am approaching my 1-year anniversary at work, I came to double check on the requirements. (1) I am about 90% Billing, and 10% Coding, so would that count? and (2) How do I submit the transcripts, from AAPC to AAPC, or am I wrong in my assumption, and need 2 years of work?
It really depends on your supervisor. He/She is the one that has to complete your application to have your "A" removed and they are going to put in detailed what all you do when it comes to using medical codes and it's required for them to sign and date it and have it on the company letterhead.

However, you can skip that option and go to option 3 where you can show that you've done the 80-hour course and completed practicode.

I find it easier to just have your supervisor complete the application especially if you are already approaching your 1 year. Hopefully this helps
 
Hello,

I received my CPC-A in September 2023. Shortly before, I completed a medical coding program through UC Extended Studies. Does that qualify for the removal of the A?
Not necessarily because you would need at least 1-2 years of experience using the code sets in some form or fashion.

in order to have the "A" removed AAPC requires that you have some sort of experience through your employer or you can complete practicode. Having your "A" is not solely based on completing the course. Hopefully this helps
 
It really depends on your supervisor. He/She is the one that has to complete your application to have your "A" removed and they are going to put in detailed what all you do when it comes to using medical codes and it's required for them to sign and date it and have it on the company letterhead.

However, you can skip that option and go to option 3 where you can show that you've done the 80-hour course and completed practicode.

I find it easier to just have your supervisor complete the application especially if you are already approaching your 1 year. Hopefully this helps
Yeah, I didn't finish my Practicode. My boss asked me to bring in the information they were looking for, and she will fill it out, even though I haven't quite hit my 1-year
 
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