Medical Billing Path

Medical Billing and Coding Programs: Certificates, Diplomas, and Degrees (2026)

Updated September 2, 2026 · Medical Billing Path Editorial Team · BLS OEWS May 2025

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Key takeaway: Most people enter medical billing and coding through a certificate or diploma plus one entry-level certification, not a degree. BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award as typical education for the occupation, and the median wage for medical records specialists was $51,140 per year in May 2025. Choose a program by the credential it grants, the exam it typically prepares you for, and its format, then compare accredited schools.

If you need to study after bedtime, start with an online certificate that names the CPC, CCA, or CBCS. If you want hospital health information work, look at a CAHIIM-accredited associate degree. Finishing school is not the same as being certified, and the first job is often on site.

Quick answers

What are the main program types?

Certificate and diploma programs (roughly four to twelve months full time) focus on coding systems, billing workflow, medical terminology, and exam preparation. Associate degrees in health information technology (about two years) add general education and health data management coursework and are the route to AHIMA’s RHIT credential.

Which certification should a program prepare me for?

For entry-level jobs, the CPC from AAPC, the CCA from AHIMA, and the CBCS from NHA are the credentials employers most often name. A solid program tells you which exam its curriculum maps to. Our certification comparison explains the differences. This site is not affiliated with those bodies.

What does a program cost?

Published prices vary widely by school type. On our school pages we show each institution’s published in-state tuition from IPEDS, which is the sticker price for the institution rather than the program price, so always ask the school for the total program cost including books. See program cost.

Program guides

Frequently asked questions

How long does a medical billing and coding program take?
Certificate and diploma programs commonly run from about four months to a year of full-time study, while an associate degree in health information technology takes about two years. Part-time and self-paced online programs take longer. Confirm the published program length and any practicum requirement with the school.
Do I need a degree to work in medical billing and coding?
No. BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award, meaning a certificate or diploma, as the typical entry-level education for medical records specialists. An associate degree opens the door to the RHIT credential and some hospital coding roles, but most entry-level billing and coding jobs hire certificate graduates who hold an industry certification.
Is a medical billing program the same as a medical coding program?
They overlap heavily and are usually taught together, but they are different jobs. Coders translate clinical documentation into ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS codes; billers prepare and follow up on the claims built from those codes. Combined programs typically prepare you for either role and for the entry-level exams from AAPC, AHIMA, and NHA.
Can I take a medical billing and coding program online?
Yes. Fully online programs are common because there is no bedside skill to demonstrate. Ask how the practicum is handled and whether the certification exam is taken at a testing center or with online proctoring.
What does a program cost?
Published prices vary widely by school type. On our school pages we show each institution’s published in-state tuition from IPEDS, which is the sticker price for the institution rather than the program price. Always ask the school for the total program cost including books. We do not quote exam fees; the certifying body sets those.