Last updated November 2, 2026

Maximize Your AAPC Credential: Access Free CEUs to Stay Ahead | Coding Clarified

Maximize Your AAPC Credential: Access Free CEUs to Stay Ahead

Janine Mothershed

FREE CEU’s

Maintaining your AAPC certification is crucial for staying competitive in the ever-evolving field of medical coding. One effective way to maximize your AAPC credential is by earning Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Fortunately, there are numerous opportunities to earn CEUs at no cost, allowing you to enhance your skills without financial strain.

Why CEUs Matter

CEUs are essential for:

Certification Maintenance:

AAPC requires certified professionals to earn a specific number of CEUs every two years to keep their credentials active.

Professional Development:

Engaging in CEU activities keeps you updated on the latest coding practices and industry standards.​

Career Advancement:

Demonstrating a commitment to ongoing education can open doors to new job opportunities and promotions.​

Discover Free CEU Opportunities

One notable resource for free CEUs is YES HIM Consulting. They offer a variety of courses designed to help medical coders and auditors stay current with industry changes. Their offerings include topics like COVID-19 ICD-10 coding, vaccine codes, and diagnosis codes for related conditions. These courses are developed by experienced educators, ensuring high-quality content.​YES HIM Consulting, Inc.+1Reddit+1

Explore their free CEU offerings here:

YES HIM Consulting – Free CEUs for AAPC & AHIMA

Additional Avenues for Free CEUs

Beyond YES HIM Consulting, consider these avenues:

Professional Associations:

Organizations like AAPC and AHIMA often provide free webinars and resources to their members.​

Government Agencies:

Departments such as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) occasionally offer free training sessions relevant to medical coding.​

Online Webinars and Events:

Many healthcare information management companies host free webinars that qualify for CEUs.​YES HIM Consulting, Inc.

In-Person Conferences and Workshops:

Attending industry events can provide both networking opportunities and CEUs.​

Social Media Groups:

Platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook have groups dedicated to medical coding, where members often share information about free CEU opportunities.​

Medical Coding For Newbies Coding Clarified on Facebook

Medical Coding And Billing Forum Coding Clarified on Facebook

Lori Jaramillo (Coding Clarified Social Media Manager) Lori Jaramillo on LinkedIn

Janine Mothershed (Coding Clarified CEO) Janine Mothershed on LinkedIn

Stay Proactive in Your Education

Regularly seeking out and participating in CEU opportunities not only keeps your certification active but also ensures you remain knowledgeable about the latest developments in medical coding. By taking advantage of free resources, you can continue to grow professionally without incurring additional costs.​

Maintaining your CPC credential with CEU Maintaining your CPC credential with CEU

How Many CEUs Do You Need?

AAPC credentials renew on a two-year cycle. A coder holding one core credential, such as the CPC or CPC-A, needs 36 CEUs every two years. Holding additional credentials raises the total. Requirements can change, so confirm your exact number and deadline in your AAPC account under CEU Tracker before your renewal date.

A Free CEU Opportunity From Coding Clarified

Coding Clarified awards 12 free CEUs to coders who pass our HCC exam. It is a strong head start on your renewal cycle and builds risk adjustment skills employers ask for. Learn more about our HCC internship.

Free and Low-Cost CEU Ideas That Count

  • AAPC local chapter meetings: many chapters award CEUs at their meetings. See our post on joining an AAPC local chapter.
  • AAPC Healthcare Business Monthly quizzes for members.
  • Free webinars from AAPC, vendors and specialty societies that are approved for AAPC CEUs.
  • Volunteering or presenting at chapter events, which can also earn CEUs.

Only CEUs from AAPC-approved sources count, so check that each event shows an AAPC index number. For more options, see our list of free medical coding CEUs.

Frequently Asked Questions About AAPC CEUs

How many CEUs does a CPC need?

A coder with one core credential such as the CPC needs 36 CEUs every two years. More credentials require more CEUs.

Do CPC-A coders need CEUs?

Yes. Apprentice credential holders must also earn CEUs to keep the credential active while they work toward removing the A.

Can I carry extra CEUs into my next cycle?

No. CEUs earned in one two-year cycle do not roll over to the next.

What happens if I miss my CEU deadline?

Your credential can expire. Contact AAPC right away about reinstatement options and any fees.

Ready to become a certified medical coder? Our online CPC certification training prepares you for the AAPC CPC exam with a credentialed instructor. Many students train at little or no cost through medical coding scholarships and WIOA grants available in 30+ states.

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