CPC-A stands for Certified Professional Coder-Apprentice. This certification is awarded to individuals who have completed a coding training program but do not yet have the required professional experience to obtain the full CPC certification.
To remove the A (Apprentice) from your CPC-A certification, you will need to gain the required amount of professional coding experience. The experience requirements vary based on the certification you are seeking.
For CPC certification, you must have at least two years of professional coding experience, or one year of experience if you have completed an approved coding program.
To gain the necessary experience, you can seek employment in a healthcare organization that requires professional coding services. You may also consider volunteering or completing an internship in a healthcare organization to gain experience.
Once you have gained the required experience, you can submit your application to the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) for review. If your application meets the requirements, you will be granted full CPC certification, and the A (Apprentice) will be removed from your certification.