How to Submit for Apprentice Removal

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.

• 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.

  • 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 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.

    • 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

    • 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.
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