CPC vs CCA vs CCS: Certification Cost and Requirements
What the CPC from AAPC and the CCA and CCS from AHIMA cost to earn and to keep, using the fees each body publishes on its own website.
Certification cost calculator
Fees checked October 5, 2026 on the AAPC and AHIMA websites.
Side by side
| Item | CPC (AAPC) | CCA (AHIMA) | CCS (AHIMA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exam fee | $425 for 1 attempt, $499 for 2 attempts (student pricing $400 and $475) | $199 members, $299 non-members | $299 members, $399 non-members |
| Retake | Buy the 2-attempt voucher | Same fee as the exam; wait at least 30 days | Same fee as the exam; wait at least 30 days |
| Eligibility | No requirement listed on the CPC page; without two years of coding experience you pass as CPC-A (apprentice) | High school diploma required | No requirement listed; coding courses or experience recommended, not required |
| Exam format | Not listed on the CPC page | 105 questions (90 scored), two hours, passing score 300 | 107 questions (97 scored), four hours, passing score 300 |
| Where you test | Online at home with a live remote proctor, or at a testing center | Pearson VUE testing center | Pearson VUE testing center |
| To keep it | Annual AAPC membership ($229 renewal) and 36 CEUs every two years | 20 CEUs per two-year cycle and a $100 member or $249 non-member fee | 20 CEUs per two-year cycle and a $100 member or $249 non-member fee |
| First-time pass rate, 2025 | Not listed on the CPC page | 62% of 2,101 testers | 84% of 6,331 testers |
| Credential holders | Not listed on the CPC page | 7,753 as of 12/31/2025 | 36,925 as of 12/31/2025 |
Two-year cost examples
These totals use the calculator with a two-year period, which covers one two-year CEU cycle for each credential.
| Scenario | How it adds up | Total |
|---|---|---|
| CPC, 2-attempt voucher, Individual membership | $499 + $229 + $229 renewal | $957 |
| CCA, AHIMA Professional member | $199 + 2 x $149 + $100 recertification | $597 |
| CCA, non-member | $299 + $249 recertification | $548 |
| CCS, AHIMA Professional member | $299 + 2 x $149 + $100 recertification | $697 |
| CCS, non-member | $399 + $249 recertification | $648 |
What each credential is for
"Certified Professional Coders review clinical documentation and translate medical procedures, diagnoses, supplies, and services into codes that are submitted on a medical claim to payers for reimbursement."
AAPC, CPC page
AHIMA positions its two coding credentials differently. It calls the CCA ideal for early-career professionals, and for the CCS it says:
"The CCS certification is a natural progression for professionals experienced in coding inpatient and outpatient records, or those with a CCA."
AHIMA, CCS page
Requirements in the words of each body
CPC (AAPC)
AAPC sells exam vouchers with 1 or 2 attempts and lets you test online at home with a live remote proctor or at a testing center. If you pass without two years of coding experience, an "A" for apprentice is attached to your credential (CPC-A). To keep the CPC, AAPC says:
"To maintain your credential, you must maintain your AAPC annual membership, and earn 36 continuing education units (CEUs) every two years."
AAPC, CPC page
CCA (AHIMA)
"Candidates who want to sit for the CCA exam must have a high school diploma."
AHIMA, CCA page
AHIMA recommends, but does not require, at least one of the following: 6 months of coding experience directly applying codes, completion of an AHIMA approved coding program, or other coding training that includes anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, and basic ICD and CPT coding.
CCS (AHIMA)
For the CCS, AHIMA recommends, but does not require, one of these: coursework in coding topics plus one year of coding experience; at least two years of related coding experience; the CCA credential plus one year of experience; a coding credential from another certifying organization plus one year of experience; or a CCS-P, RHIT or RHIA credential.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the CPC exam cost?
AAPC lists its core exams, which include the CPC, at $425 for 1 attempt and $499 for 2 attempts. Its student exam pricing is $400 for 1 attempt and $475 for 2 attempts.
How much is the CCS exam fee?
AHIMA lists the CCS exam at $299 for AHIMA members and $399 for non-members. The CCA exam is $199 for members and $299 for non-members. A retake costs the same as the exam.
Do you have to be a member?
For the CPC, AAPC says that to maintain your credential you must maintain your AAPC annual membership. For the CCA and CCS, AHIMA membership is not required to test, but members pay a lower exam fee and a lower recertification fee.
How do you keep a coding certification active?
AAPC: keep your annual membership and earn 36 continuing education units (CEUs) every two years. AHIMA: earn the required CEUs during each two-year cycle (20 for a CCA or CCS) and pay the recertification fee, which is $100 for members and $249 for non-members if you hold one credential.
What are the CCA and CCS pass rates?
AHIMA publishes first-time pass rates. For 2025 it reports 62 percent for the CCA (2,101 first-time testers) and 84 percent for the CCS (6,331 first-time testers). The AAPC CPC page does not list a pass rate.
Can I hold both a CCA and a CCS?
AHIMA says the CCS or CCS-P credential supersedes the CCA credential. After you pass the CCS, the CCA is replaced and its recertification requirements no longer apply.