AHIMA CCS

I agree, having the CCS behind your name will go a long way in securing a job. I did the self paced program through Ed2go last year and passed the CCS exam on the firs try, so it's doable. It is self paced, you have up to a year to complete each course, but if you 'get' coding you can complete both in a month or so.

The courses are self paced, but you need to complete two separate courses to qualify for the CCS exam. Medical Billing and Coding - Online Career Training Program | ed2go

Advanced Hospital Coding and CCS Prep - Requirements - Online Career Training Program | ed2go

I would wait, however, until the courses cover only ICD-10 as it will be implemented 10/1/15; it would make no sense to learn ICD-9 now.

If you have questions, I'd be glad to help

-Richard

Richard

Thank you for the advices. I saw the courses on ed2go and realize that I had to take both, which be be about 4k. What I didn't realized that it was self paced. I will give it a second look.

How it the program, do you just have to read passages and answer questions after. I did a sample for a other course and that how it was.

Everyone is different, but if you follow the curriculum you'll be ok. From my experience, to fully understand each chapter, I completed all coding practices, assignments, etc.

On the AHIMA website, there is a list of eligibility requirement for sitting for the CCS course. If I complete the ED2go course (Advanced Hospital Coding and CCS Prep - Requirements - Online Career Training Program) would that all I need to get the CCS certification? or will I need coding experience as well. This is one of the most difficult field to get into and I really want to be certain. Do you work from home Richard and do you have a coding job?

empatheticRN did you ever get an answer on this or get CCS certification? I'm also wondering if ED2go would qualify for the requirements to take the exam. Thanks!

It's great that you're thinking ahead about getting certified—it really does make a difference in how seriously you're taken in the coding field.

To clear up the confusion: the CCA (Certified Coding Associate) is more of an entry-level certification, while the CCS (Certified Coding Specialist) is more advanced and usually requires stronger hands-on coding experience (often inpatient coding, deeper knowledge of medical terminology, ICD/CPT systems, etc.).

The key point is—you don't have to go through a full 2-year college program to qualify for CCS. There are alternative paths:

• Focus on advanced coding training programs, not just beginner courses

• Gain practical experience (even through internships, freelancing, or practice labs)

• Study directly for CCS using real exam-style questions and case scenarios

• Build strong knowledge of ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, and CPT coding systems

Many people actually start with CCA to build confidence, then move toward CCS once they feel ready—but if you're dedicated, you can prepare directly for CCS with the right resources.

If you're going the self-paced route, I'd recommend using a platform that offers updated practice questions, real exam scenarios, and detailed explanations. A lot of learners are now using MYCERTSHUB to prepare because it helps bridge the gap between basic courses and real CCS exam difficulty.

So in short you don't need a 2-year degree, but you do need the right combination of advanced study + practice. If you stay consistent and use quality prep material, CCS is absolutely achievable 👍