American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)

Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)

Credential: Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)  In-Demand resource  GI Bill resource  NCCA resource
Credentialing Agency: American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)

Renewal Period: 2 years

Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) credential demonstrates a practitioner's tested data quality and integrity skills, and mastery of coding proficiency. Professionals experienced in coding inpatient and outpatient records should consider obtaining this certification. Certified individuals are skilled in classifying medical data from patient records, generally in a hospital setting. These coding practitioners: review patients' records and assign numeric codes for each diagnosis and procedure, possess expertise in the ICD-9-CM and CPT coding systems, and are knowledgeable about medical terminology, disease processes, and pharmacology. This is an entry level certification. Applicants must meet one of several eligibility requirements to qualify to sit for the exam.

More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.

Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

 

Eligibility Requirements (View Details)

  • Credential Prerequisite
  • Experience: 2 years
  • Education
  • Training
  • Membership
  • Other
  • Fee

Note: This credential may have multiple options for becoming eligible. Listed are the minimum requirements based on the minimum degree required. To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.

Exam Requirements (View Details)

  • Exam
  • Written Exam
  • Oral Exam
  • Practical Exam
  • Performance Assessment

RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY

Renewal Period: 2 years

  • Continuing Education
  • Exam
  • Continuing Education OR Exam
  • Fee
  • Other

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)

233 N. Michigan Avenue
21st Floor
Chicago, IL  60601-5809

Phone: (312) 233-1100

Fax: (312) 233-1500
Contact Page

Show All / Hide All

Option 1:

Candidate must hold the RHIA, RHIT, or CCS-P credential from AHIMA.

Option 1:

Candidate must complete a coding training program that includes anatomy & physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, medical terminology, reimbursement methodology, intermediate/advanced ICD diagnostic/procedural and CPT coding

Option 3:

Candidate must have a minimum of 2 years of related coding experience directly applying codes.

Option 4:

Candidate must hold the CCA credential from AHIMA and have 1 year of coding experience directly applying codes.

Option 5:

Candidate must hold a coding credential from another certifying organization and have 1 year of coding experience directly applying codes.

The Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) credential has the following other requirements:

Written Exam

  • Health Information Documentation (8-10%)
  • Diagnosis & Procedure Coding (64-68%)
  • Regulatory Guidelines and Reporting Requirements for Acute Care (Inpatient) Service (6-8%)
  • Regulatory Guidelines and Reporting Requirements for Outpatient Services (6-8%)
  • Data Quality and Management (2-4%)
  • Information and Communication Technologies (1-3%)
  • Privacy, Confidentiality, Legal, and Ethical Issues (2-4%)
  • Compliance (2-4%)

Exam Preparation Resources

There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) examination:

Testing Information

Testing for this credential is handled by Pearson VUE. The test centers are located in the U.S. They also have some test centers on military bases.

To find out more, use the following links on the Pearson VUE website:

For more information on the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) testing process, visit the agency website.

RECERTIFICATION

Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)

Renewal Period: 2 years

The Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) credential has the following recertification information:

  • CCSs must earn 20 CEUs, including two mandatory annual coding self-reviews during the recertification cycle.  Each mandatory annual coding self-review is worth 5 CEUs toward the total CEU requirement of a coding credential. More information can be found in the AHIMA Recertification Guide.

Additional considerations for the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) include:

  • The CCS exam is based on ICD-10-CM codes and ICD-10-PCS codes. Candidates are required to bring a ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, and CPT code book to the test site. Only the American Medical Association CPT codebook is permitted. For more information, visit the AHIMA web site.

In Demand

This certification is considered in demand

COOL Bucks

See your installation Education Service Officer for credential exam information and coordinating instructions.

COOL Summary

Click to go to the COOL Summary page for this MOC.

COOL Summary

Click to go to the COOL Summary page for this MOC.

Some

Credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the military occupation (at least one critical task but less than 80%)

Most

Credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the military occupation (at least 80%)

Other

Credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will likely require additional education, training, or experience

Promotion Points

This certification has been approved for promotion points.

Click for more information.

Star

Star credentials are MOS enhancing, as designated by the Proponent. MOS enhancing credentials are directly related to an MOS or ASI, are taught either partially or completely as part of a Program of Instruction (POI), and improves the MOS technical proficiency.

Skill Level

The Skill Level reflects the level, based on MOS training and/or experience, the Soldier should be the most prepared to successfully earn the credential. See the Table Legend for details about each level.

Proponent Funded

Indicates the credential may have funding through the MOS proponent. Some proponents offer credentialing opportunities in conjunction with military training and/or as part of MOS development beyond the training base.

Click for more information.

Navy Bucks

Credential voucher or reimbursement for credential exam, re-certification, or maintenance fee has been approved for payment through the Navy's Credential Program Office. To get a voucher request form, click 'Complete Voucher and Apply' at the top of any page.

CG Bucks

Coming Soon - Coast Guard policy regarding service member eligibility requirements to participate in the Voluntary Credentialing Program is under review with a projected release date of first quarter FY20.

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted E1 through E4

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E5 through E6

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E7 and Above

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted “A” School through E5

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E6 through E7

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E8 and Above

LaDR

This credential is recommended on the rating Learning and Development Roadmap (LaDR) for Sailors currently in the pay grade indicated on the icon, BUT MAY BE TAKEN BY SAILORS IN OTHER PAY GRADES.

Click for more information.

GI Bill®

Reimbursement for exam fees has been approved for payment through the GI Bill. Click for external link to GI Bill licensing and certification information.

Note: GI Bill approval data is updated quarterly. For the latest information, visit the WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search page. Make sure to select "Both" in the LAC Category Type drop-down before searching.

Click here for more information.

ANSI

This credential has been accredited by ANSI. Click for external link to the ANSI web site.

Click here for more information.

ICAC

This credential has been accredited by ICAC. Click for external link to the ICAC web site.

Click here for more information.

ABSNC

This credential has been accredited by ABSNC. Click for external link to the ABSNC web site.

Click here for more information.

NCCA

This credentialing program has been accredited by NCCA. Click for external link to the NCCA web site.

Click here for more information.

IAS

This credential has been accredited by IAS. Click for external link to the IAS web site.

Click here for more information.

Low

May be difficult to attain: minimum education requirement is a Bachelor's degree, and/or minimum experience is 10 or more years.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

Medium

Moderate ease of attainment: minimum education requirement = Associate's and/or prerequisite and/or minimum experience = more than 2 years and less than 10 years of experience.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

High

Highly attainable: mimum education requirement = HS or less and/or minimum experience = 2 years or less experience and no additional requirements.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

MOS is Military Occupational Specialty
ASI is Additional Skill Identifier
WOMOS is Warrant Officer Military Occupational Specialty

Army e-learning

State-of-the art Computer Based Training available for free to the Army Workforce. Click for more information.

Click here for more information.

NKO e-learning

Credential preparation courses are provided at no cost through Navy e-Learning. Click for external link to the Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) web site, then select the “Navy e-Learning” link within the “Learning” tab to proceed to Navy e-Learning.

Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job
Registered Apprenticeship
Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Bill and Account Collectors
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Bill and Account Collectors
Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Data Entry Keyers
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Data Entry Keyers
Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Medical Assistants
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Medical Assistants
Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Medical Records and Health Information Technicians
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Medical Records and Health Information Technicians
Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Medical Secretaries
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Medical Secretaries
This is an official U.S. Navy website
Updated: October 16, 2019
Top