How to Renew Medical Billing and Coding Certification: Full Guide
This guide walks you through the exact recertification requirements, helps you select the right CEU activities, and shows how to avoid critical errors that cost both time and income.
We'll also break down how providers like AAPC and AHIMA differ, what happens if your certification expires, and how to use internal training programs for fast, affordable renewal. Let’s get straight into what matters: keeping your certification active without disruption—and maximizing your ROI from day one.
Why Recertification Matters
Staying compliant and up to date
Medical billing and coding isn’t static—it’s shaped by constant updates to CPT, ICD-10, and HCPCS code sets, as well as payer regulations and electronic health record (EHR) systems. Without renewal, you fall behind. CEUs aren’t just a requirement—they’re how you stay fluent in the language of healthcare reimbursement.
Here’s what recertification helps you stay aligned with:
Annual code updates: Every year, thousands of CPT and ICD-10 codes are revised, added, or deleted. Recertification ensures you’re coding based on current definitions, not outdated assumptions.
Payer policy changes: Insurance rules change frequently. Staying certified gives you access to updated payer guidelines, keeping your claims compliant and your revenue cycle efficient.
Compliance mandates: Regulations like HIPAA, MACRA, and CMS guidelines evolve, and CEUs help you stay aligned with current laws, reducing the risk of audits or denials.
Technology transitions: From EHR system updates to AI-assisted coding, modern billing professionals are expected to navigate technical tools confidently. Renewal training integrates this evolving knowledge.
If you don’t maintain certification, you risk becoming irrelevant to employers. Clinics and hospitals are increasingly hiring actively certified professionals only—because they need team members who can code, bill, and audit accurately in real time.
Recertification isn’t a hoop to jump through. It’s how you stay billable, insurable, and promotable.
Avoiding re-exams and reinstatement
Letting your certification expire isn’t just risky—it can set your career back months. Most certifying bodies have strict reinstatement rules, and missing the CEU or renewal window means one thing: you’ll have to retest.
Here’s why that’s a costly mistake:
You may lose your job – Many employers require current certification to stay employed. If you’re uncredentialed—even briefly—it can result in termination or loss of assignments.
Reinstatement costs more – Renewal fees are modest. But if you miss the deadline and have to recertify from scratch, expect to pay for the full exam, prep materials, and potentially a delay in your income stream.
You lose momentum – Certification isn’t just paperwork; it represents your role in a regulated industry. Letting it lapse means starting from zero—rebuilding your CEU history, reapplying, and proving eligibility again.
In most cases, reinstatement involves:
Submitting documentation to prove CEUs or education completed during the lapse period
Paying late fees or reinstatement surcharges
Passing the certification exam again—often under updated and stricter guidelines
Worse, if the lapse is long enough, some certifying bodies won’t even offer reinstatement. They’ll require full re-enrollment.
Staying on top of renewal saves you from this spiral. It keeps your certification in good standing, your name searchable in member directories, and your professional momentum uninterrupted.
AAPC and AHIMA Recertification Requirements
CEUs, timelines, renewal fees
Both AAPC and AHIMA require certified professionals to complete a specific number of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) during a renewal cycle. However, how many CEUs you need—and what counts toward them—varies based on your credentials.
AAPC Recertification:
Renewal Cycle: Every 2 years
CEU Requirement: 36 CEUs for one certification; +8 for each additional certification
Fee: $180 (standard membership renewal), additional late fees if past deadline
You must submit all CEUs before your certification expiration date to avoid suspension. AAPC provides a member dashboard to track CEUs and get alerts when due dates are near.
Accepted CEU sources include:
AAPC webinars, workshops, and regional conferences
Pre-approved third-party courses or coding webinars
Journal quizzes from Healthcare Business Monthly
If you fail to meet your CEU requirement, your certification becomes inactive. After 90 days, a reinstatement process—including additional fees and potential exam retake—may be required.
AHIMA Recertification:
Renewal Cycle: Every 2 years
CEU Requirement: 20 CEUs for most credentials (e.g., CCA, CCS, RHIT); higher for advanced certifications
Fee: $218 for non-members, $174 for members
All CEUs must be relevant to one or more of AHIMA’s domains of practice—coding, data analysis, privacy, leadership, etc. Submissions are audited, and improper entries can delay renewal.
Approved CEU sources include:
AHIMA Academy courses, virtual events, and conferences
HIM-related academic courses
Journal-based assessments from Perspectives in HIM
Failure to renew results in credential expiration. A lapsed credential beyond the grace period requires reapplication and passing the certification exam again.
To avoid surprises, always:
Log CEUs immediately after completion
Download completion certificates from each provider
Use the official portal to verify your CEU count before renewal deadlines
Keeping CEUs tracked in real time helps you avoid late penalties, missed renewals, and certification disruption.
Differences between cert providers
While both AAPC and AHIMA issue respected credentials, their recertification philosophies differ significantly—especially in how they define qualified CEUs, acceptable sources, and penalties for noncompliance.
1. CEU Flexibility:
AAPC has more rigid CEU sourcing: many CEUs must come from pre-approved vendors or AAPC itself.
AHIMA offers broader acceptance criteria: CEUs can come from academic courses, employer-sponsored events, or even independent research, as long as it ties into HIM domains.
For professionals juggling multiple learning options, AHIMA may offer more flexibility—but that comes with the responsibility of making sure your CEUs align with AHIMA’s competency map.
2. Submission Systems:
AAPC’s dashboard is automated. Upload CEUs, and it calculates progress and flags deficiencies.
AHIMA’s CEU Center is more manual. You must categorize each CEU, describe its domain, and retain documentation for random audits.
If you prefer automation and reminders, AAPC’s system offers better user experience. AHIMA requires more self-tracking but gives room for diversified CEU sources.
3. Renewal Costs and Penalties:
AAPC’s renewal fee is generally lower, but their late fees and reinstatement penalties are high—sometimes requiring complete retesting.
AHIMA charges a bit more upfront, but it offers a longer grace period before expiration and a less punitive reinstatement process.
If you miss a deadline with AAPC, your reinstatement path is far more complicated and expensive. AHIMA is slightly more forgiving—but you still risk temporary credential loss.
4. Employer Recognition:
In physician-based settings, AAPC credentials (like CPC) are typically favored.
In hospital systems and HIM departments, AHIMA credentials (like CCS, RHIT) carry more weight.
Depending on your work environment, choosing the right certifying body isn’t just about content—it’s about industry alignment.
| Criteria | AAPC | AHIMA |
|---|---|---|
| Renewal Cycle | Every 2 years | Every 2 years |
| CEU Requirement | 36 CEUs for one certification +8 for each additional certification |
20 CEUs for most certifications (Higher for advanced credentials) |
| Renewal Fee | $180 membership (plus late fees if overdue) | $174 (members) $218 (non-members) |
| Accepted CEU Sources | Primarily AAPC-approved webinars, events, and publications | Broader scope including academic courses, HIM journals, employer training |
| Submission Process | Automated CEU tracking dashboard with alerts | Manual upload and categorization via CEU Center; subject to audit |
| Grace Period & Penalties | 90-day grace; reinstatement requires CEUs + $50 fee + potential exam retake | 6-month grace period; $50 reinstatement fee; no immediate exam retake unless overdue |
| Employer Recognition | Favored in outpatient/physician practice settings | Favored in hospitals, HIM departments, and health systems |
How to Earn CEUs Efficiently
Courses, webinars, journals
The fastest way to earn CEUs without disrupting your workflow is to embed learning into your weekly routine. Whether you're renewing through AAPC, AHIMA, or another certifying body, approved CEU sources are increasingly flexible, accessible, and low-cost—if you know where to look.
Here are the most efficient formats for busy professionals:
On-demand online courses – Platforms like AAPC’s Learning Center or AHIMA’s VLab offer CEU-approved micro courses you can finish in under an hour. Many let you complete multiple CEUs in a single weekend.
Live or recorded webinars – These are CEU goldmines. Many are free or low-cost, hosted by credentialing bodies, hospitals, or compliance vendors. You typically earn 1 CEU per hour attended, with instant certificate generation.
Peer-reviewed journal quizzes – AAPC’s Healthcare Business Monthly and AHIMA’s Perspectives in HIM include quizzes in each issue. Complete and submit them to earn CEUs passively while staying informed.
Efficiency tip: stack courses by theme (e.g., all coding updates or all EHR topics) so you stay focused while earning credits.
Which CEUs are most useful
Not all CEUs deliver equal value. While any approved unit will count toward renewal, smart professionals focus on CEUs that also boost real-world performance or tie directly to promotion pathways.
These are the CEU categories that offer the most professional ROI:
Annual code update training – CPT, ICD-10, and HCPCS changes affect billing accuracy. Completing yearly code update CEUs ensures you're always aligned with current reimbursement logic.
EHR and billing software training – Courses on systems like Epic, Cerner, or practice management platforms are increasingly accepted for CEU credit and help with technical upskilling.
Compliance and audit readiness – CEUs that cover HIPAA, OIG compliance, or internal auditing prepare you for higher-responsibility roles like Coding Auditor or Revenue Integrity Analyst.
Specialty coding modules – Fields like cardiology, orthopedics, or behavioral health have unique coding challenges. Taking CEUs in these areas strengthens niche expertise, opening doors to specialty clinics and higher pay.
Avoid low-effort CEUs that don’t expand your skill set. Focus on those that make you more billable, promotable, or indispensable in your workplace.
Tie-In: Our Continuing Education Options
How we help keep you certified
Most professionals let CEU deadlines creep up because they can’t find trusted, pre-approved training that fits their schedule and actually builds value. Our CEU library was designed for exactly that. Every course we offer is pre-approved by certification boards, aligns with annual code and compliance updates, and is built for fast completion—without cutting corners.
Here’s how we help you maintain certification with zero guesswork:
Modular, on-demand learning: Whether you need 1 CEU or 20, you can mix and match from coding, compliance, EHR, or payer policy modules at your pace. Most are under 60 minutes.
Guaranteed acceptance: Our programs meet the CEU criteria of AAPC and AHIMA—so you’ll never wonder if a credit will count toward renewal.
Progress tracking and reminders: As you complete lessons, your CEUs are automatically recorded, and you receive completion certificates ready to upload to your certification portal.
No hidden upsells: One price gives you full access to the training paths that matter, including new updates throughout the year.
We make CEU renewal not just easier—but smarter, faster, and career-focused.
The Easiest Way to Complete Your Certification CEUs
If you’re reading this guide, you’re likely approaching renewal—or already behind schedule. Our internal CEU platform is the fastest way to catch up without scrambling for third-party courses, last-minute webinars, or risking non-compliant credit.
Here’s what you’ll find when you enroll:
A full set of CEU bundles tailored to specific certifications—CPC, CPB, CCS, RHIT, and others—with clearly labeled credit hours
A built-in calendar that tracks your renewal cycle and tells you exactly how many CEUs you need to maintain active status
Specialized recertification booster packs for professionals who’ve let their credentials lapse and need intensive prep to reinstate
Courses built by certified coders and billing experts who know what’s expected by AAPC and AHIMA—not generic learning modules
The best part? There’s no delay. As soon as you finish a module, you get a downloadable completion certificate you can submit immediately to your credentialing body..
| Common Mistake | Impact | Prevention Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Using Non-Approved CEU Providers | CEUs may be rejected; renewal request can be denied | Only use pre-approved vendors recognized by AAPC or AHIMA |
| Choosing Non-Aligned Content | CEUs may not apply to your credential type | Ensure courses align with coding, compliance, HIM, or EHR systems |
| Submitting CEUs Too Late | Late fees, inactive certification status, exam retake required | Complete CEUs 3 months before deadline and track all submissions |
| Not Logging CEUs Properly | Missing credits, risk of audit failure, denied renewal | Use the official AAPC/AHIMA portal to log CEUs with timestamps |
| Losing CEU Certificates | No proof during audits, forced to repeat courses | Save certificates in a labeled cloud folder with email backup |
| Wrong Platform or Double-Counting | CEUs rejected, renewal delayed or denied | Track CEUs per credential; verify submission rules for dual-certifications |
Avoiding Common Renewal Mistakes
Missing deadlines, wrong CEUs
One of the most common—and most expensive—mistakes billing and coding professionals make is assuming that any educational activity counts as a CEU. It doesn’t. Every certifying body has strict guidelines for what qualifies, and submitting invalid CEUs can lead to automatic rejection of your renewal request.
Here’s where professionals go wrong:
Using non-approved providers – Just because a webinar is “healthcare-related” doesn’t mean it’s CEU-eligible. AAPC and AHIMA both require that CEUs come from pre-approved vendors or organizations.
Choosing non-aligned content – For example, CEUs focused on general administration may not meet the criteria for a CPC or CCS credential. They must be related to coding, compliance, HIM, or tech systems.
Submitting too late – Waiting until the final month of your cycle to complete CEUs is risky. If your CEUs aren’t processed in time, your certification can lapse—even if you’ve technically completed the work.
Missed deadlines often trigger:
A late renewal fee (sometimes up to $100+)
Risk of your credential being marked inactive
The requirement to retake your certification exam
To avoid this, schedule CEU deadlines into your calendar three months in advance and stick to CEU providers who explicitly state their credits are accepted by your certifying body.
Not tracking progress over time
Even professionals who complete all required CEUs can still lose certification—simply because they failed to document their activity properly. Without a structured system to log CEUs and upload certificates, you may find yourself scrambling to reconstruct a year’s worth of training under deadline pressure.
What happens if you don’t track CEUs systematically:
You forget what you’ve completed, leading to unnecessary repeats or missed credits
You lose certificates and have no proof during an audit or submission period
You log CEUs on the wrong platform (e.g., personal spreadsheet instead of official dashboard), causing confusion and rejection
Both AAPC and AHIMA offer online CEU tracking portals. You should:
Log each CEU immediately after completion—including the provider, date, topic, and number of hours.
Store certificates in cloud folders, labeled by month or topic, with backup copies in your email.
Set automated reminders every quarter to verify that your CEU totals align with your certification type.
If you’re working toward multiple credentials, keep track of which CEUs count toward which certification. Not all CEUs can be cross-applied, and double-counting can lead to noncompliance.
The most successful certified professionals treat CEU management like project management—organized, verified, and reviewed long before submission day. That’s how you renew with confidence, not panic.
What Happens If You Let It Lapse
Reinstatement vs re-certification
Letting your certification lapse triggers one of two pathways—reinstatement or re-certification. The difference comes down to how long you’ve been inactive and which organization you’re certified through.
Reinstatement
Reinstatement is allowed by both AAPC and AHIMA—but only within a specific grace period:
AAPC typically allows 90 days post-expiration to submit remaining CEUs and pay a $50 late fee.
AHIMA offers a 6-month grace period but charges a $50 reinstatement fee on top of renewal costs.
To qualify for reinstatement, you must:
Complete all required CEUs for the missed cycle
Submit documentation of completion
Pay all outstanding renewal + reinstatement fees
No additional testing is required—but you’ll be flagged as temporarily inactive in credential lookups until your reinstatement is processed.
Re-certification
If too much time has passed, reinstatement won’t be allowed. You’ll be required to re-certify from scratch, which includes:
Reapplying for the exam
Paying full exam fees again (often $399+)
Completing any eligibility steps (like coursework or experience proofs)
Recertification resets your credential’s start date and may also impact your eligibility for advanced roles or credential upgrades.
In short: reinstatement is a fast-track fix. Re-certification is a full restart. The longer you wait after expiration, the more expensive and complex your return path becomes.
How it affects your job
An expired certification isn’t just a bureaucratic issue—it’s a career disruptor. Most medical billing and coding jobs require active certification as a condition of employment. If yours lapses, the consequences can be immediate and long-term.
Immediate impacts:
Loss of current job – Employers conducting annual credential audits may terminate staff who aren’t in active standing.
Blocked job offers – You’ll be automatically disqualified from applying to roles that list CPC, CPB, CCA, or CCS as mandatory.
Credential directory removal – Your name is removed from public verification tools employers use to confirm credentials.
Long-term impacts:
Lower salary negotiating power – Even if you regain certification later, your gap in status may be viewed as a red flag, limiting promotions or salary bumps.
Missed CEU alignment – Any CEUs earned while inactive may not count, forcing you to repeat courses or pay for additional credits to qualify again.
Credential downgrade risk – AHIMA, in some cases, may not allow return to advanced credentials without extra coursework if too much time has passed.
Employers don’t differentiate between expired due to oversight and expired due to neglect. What they see is a lapse in professional accountability.
To protect your reputation, role, and long-term career value, certification status must be actively monitored, renewed early, and never allowed to lapse—even for a day.
What’s your biggest concern when it comes to certification renewal?
In Summary
Renewing your medical billing and coding certification isn’t optional—it’s essential if you want to stay competitive, employable, and credible. Letting it lapse, even briefly, can trigger a chain reaction that costs you time, money, and professional standing. That’s why staying ahead of renewal deadlines and managing your CEUs is critical.Certifying bodies like AAPC and AHIMA aren’t just gatekeepers—they define the pace of the profession. Their recertification requirements ensure you’re aligned with current code updates, regulations, and system competencies. If you’re not consistently meeting those standards, you’re falling behind.
By building a smart CEU strategy, you’re not just checking a box—you’re protecting your job eligibility and signaling to employers that you're a future-ready professional. And with the right tools—like CEU portals, automated tracking, and bundled modules—you don’t have to scramble. You can renew confidently, on time and on budget. Certification renewal is not a formality. It’s your professional foundation. Miss it, and you risk starting over. Nail it, and you stay in demand.
Your certification is your career license. Don’t let it expire.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Renewing your certification involves three key steps: earning the required Continuing Education Units (CEUs), submitting your CEUs through your certifying organization’s online portal, and paying the renewal fee before your expiration date. For AAPC, this includes 36 CEUs over two years, while AHIMA generally requires 20. After uploading your CEU proof and completing payment, your certification is extended for another two-year cycle. If you miss the deadline, a grace period may apply, but late fees or reinstatement conditions will be enforced. Keeping digital records of your CEUs and renewing at least one month in advance prevents disruption, additional costs, or having to retest.
-
Medical billing and coding certifications from AAPC and AHIMA require renewal every two years. Your cycle begins the day you earn or last renewed your credential. You must complete all required CEUs and submit them with payment before your specific renewal date. These timelines are strict—missing them can trigger late fees, credential suspension, or forced recertification. It’s best to review your CEU progress quarterly and set calendar reminders six months out from expiration. Early planning helps avoid last-minute panic and keeps your certification in good standing, especially if you manage multiple credentials or have a demanding job schedule.
-
Both AAPC and AHIMA require periodic certification renewal, but their policies differ significantly. AAPC mandates 36 CEUs every two years for most credentials, plus an additional 8 CEUs per added certification. Their CEUs must be sourced from AAPC-approved providers. AHIMA generally requires 20 CEUs for standard credentials like CCA or RHIT, with some advanced roles requiring more. AHIMA accepts broader CEU types, including academic coursework, employer training, or journal quizzes, as long as they align with Health Information Management domains. Renewal fees, grace periods, submission processes, and CEU tracking systems also vary, so knowing your provider’s specific rules is essential.
-
Yes, CEUs are required to renew all certifications through AAPC and AHIMA. These units demonstrate that you’ve maintained up-to-date knowledge in medical coding, compliance, EHR systems, and healthcare regulations. AAPC typically requires 36 CEUs for one certification, with extra CEUs for each additional credential. AHIMA generally requires 20 CEUs but may mandate more for advanced roles. Only CEUs from approved sources or relevant content areas are accepted. Without proper CEUs, your certification becomes inactive and could lead to re-certification requirements. Always verify that a CEU activity meets your board’s standards before participating to avoid wasting time and money.
-
You can earn CEUs through multiple board-approved sources such as on-demand online courses, webinars, journal quizzes, in-person workshops, and healthcare conferences. Both AAPC and AHIMA offer their own CEU programs, but many external vendors are also pre-approved. Topics must be relevant to your credential—coding updates, compliance, EHRs, payer policies, and billing practices are usually accepted. Many professionals use CEU bundles or subscriptions to meet requirements efficiently. Keep a digital log of your completions and download certificates immediately after each course. This allows you to track your CEUs accurately and avoid scrambling at the end of your renewal cycle.
