How to Become a Medical Billing and Coding Specialist

Updated October 20, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents

Interested in a career in healthcare—without years of medical school?
Becoming a medical billing and coding specialist could be your perfect path. In this 2025 guide, you’ll learn every step—from accredited training to certification and job placement.

If you’re detail-oriented, tech-savvy, and enjoy organizing information, this growing healthcare field offers strong pay, remote flexibility, and job security.

Medical coders and billers translate medical procedures into standardized codes used for insurance claims and healthcare records. Their work keeps hospitals, clinics, and doctors’ offices running efficiently.

What Do Medical Billing and Coding Specialists Do?

Medical coders and billers work behind the scenes of healthcare—turning patient information into standardized data that drives treatment records, billing, and insurance reimbursement.

Typical Duties Include:

  • Reviewing patient charts and clinical documentation
  • Assigning ICD-10, CPT, and HCPCS medical codes
  • Preparing and submitting insurance claims
  • Ensuring HIPAA compliance and accurate recordkeeping
  • Communicating with providers, patients, and insurance carriers

Many professionals specialize in hospital coding, physician offices, or outpatient care centers. Others work remotely for large healthcare networks.

Salary & Job Outlook

Quick Facts Medical Billing & Coding Specialists
2024 Median Pay $50,250 per year / $24.16 per hour
Typical Entry-Level Education Postsecondary certificate or associate degree
Work Experience Required None
Number of Jobs (2023) 194,800
Job Outlook (2023–33) 7% growth (Much faster than average)
Employment Change (2023–33) +13,800 jobs

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Medical Records Specialists

As healthcare expands and moves digital, certified coders are in high demand, especially in insurance, telehealth, and hospital systems.

How to Become a Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (5 Steps)

Becoming a certified medical billing and coding professional typically takes 9–24 months, depending on your chosen path.

  1. Earn your high school diploma or GED
    A foundation in math, English, and computer literacy helps in training.

  2. Enroll in an accredited medical billing & coding program
    Choose a certificate or associate degree from an accredited school.

  1. Complete coursework & hands-on practice
    Subjects include anatomy, medical terminology, coding systems, and insurance regulations.

  2. Earn certification
    Top certifications include:

    • CPC (Certified Professional Coder) – AAPC
    • CCA (Certified Coding Associate) – AHIMA
    • CBCS (Certified Billing & Coding Specialist) – NHA

  3. Apply for jobs or remote positions
    Graduates often work for hospitals, private practices, or insurance carriers.

steps-to-become-a-medical-coder

Certification & Licensing Requirements

While most states don’t require a license, national certification greatly improves job prospects and salary potential.

Major Certifying Organizations:

  • AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders) – CPC, CPB, CPMA
  • AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association) – CCA, CCS, RHIT
  • NHA (National Healthcareer Association) – CBCS

Most employers prefer certified candidates, and some healthcare systems reimburse exam fees once you’re hired.

Skills That Make Great Coders

  • Strong attention to detail and accuracy
  • Analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Understanding of medical terminology and anatomy
  • Computer proficiency and EHR familiarity
  • Discretion with confidential patient data

If you enjoy precision work, organization, and the healthcare field—this is a career where those strengths shine.

Work Environment & Career Options

Medical billing and coding specialists work in:

  • Hospitals and clinics
  • Private practices
  • Insurance companies
  • Remote/home offices

Specializations include:

  • Inpatient coding
  • Outpatient coding
  • Medical auditing
  • Billing management

Pros & Cons of Medical Coding Careers

Pros:

  • Remote and hybrid job options
  • Entry within 1–2 years
  • Stable, growing field
  • Strong earning potential

Cons:

  • Sitting or screen-heavy work
  • Repetitive coding tasks
  • Certification renewal required

Start Your Medical Coding Journey

Medical billing and coding offers a fast, flexible route into healthcare—without patient care duties or long degrees.

Whether you want to work in a hospital, private office, or from home, training programs can help you launch your career in under two years.

You can code the future of healthcare—one claim at a time.

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Brad Fishbein Licensed Mold Assessor

Meet the author: Brad Fishbein is a Florida Licensed Mold Assessor and council-certified Microbial Investigator. He’s the founder of TradeCareerPath.com and has completed over 5,000 mold inspections since 2009. Brad now helps homeowners and tradespeople make smart decisions about mold, licensing, and skilled career paths.