To remove your apprentice designation, AAPC must verify completion of at least two years of on-the-job experience. (Externships accepted.) Three removal options are available:  

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 the 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 the member in a non-editable format (pdf) for the member to upload

Download our optional employment verification template for easier submission. Upload all verification documents via the Apprentice Removal Application and expect 2-4 weeks for processing.

Option 2:  1-year employment verification AND completion of an 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 is 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 the member in a non-editable format (pdf) for the 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 the 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

• Download the Coder's Performance Profile Report showing that you have completed at least 600 cases with a 70% or higher overall score. 

Download our optional employment verification template for easier submission. Upload all verification documents via the Apprentice Removal Application and expect 2-4 weeks for processing.  

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:

• Download the Coder's Performance Profile Report showing that you have completed at least 600 cases with a 70% or higher overall score.  
• Upload all verification documents via the Apprentice Removal Application and expect 2-4 weeks for processing.