Top 10 Billing Clerk Certifications

Certifications are an important asset for a billing clerk in the job market because they demonstrate a certain level of knowledge and expertise. By having certifications, a billing clerk can show employers that they have taken the time to learn and develop their skills in the field, which can be attractive to potential employers. Certifications also allow billing clerks to stand out from other applicants who may not have taken the time to acquire such credentials. Additionally, certifications can open up opportunities for advancement within an organization or even provide access to higher-paying jobs.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for Billing Clerks and explain how they can help to advance a billing clerk's career.

What are Billing Clerk Certifications?

Billing Clerk Certification is a certification program designed to help individuals learn the skills necessary to become a successful billing clerk. This certification program helps individuals gain the knowledge and experience needed to manage financial transactions, prepare invoices, and generate reports. The program covers topics such as accounts receivable, accounts payable, customer service, and data entry. The certification can also help individuals understand the different types of billing software available in the market and how to use them effectively. With the certification, individuals have a better understanding of how to reconcile accounts and can become more efficient in their job functions. Additionally, employers may be more likely to hire someone with this certification because it demonstrates that they are knowledgeable in billing procedures.

Pro Tip: If you are considering becoming a billing clerk, make sure to research the certifications available in your area and find out what type of certification is required for the job. Different regions and employers may require different certifications, so it's important to be aware of the requirements before starting your search.

Related: What does a Billing Clerk do?

Top 10 Billing Clerk Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Billing Clerks today.

1. Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS)

A Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) is a professional who specializes in medical coding, billing, and reimbursement. They are responsible for accurately coding medical services, submitting claims to insurance companies, and managing the financial aspects of patient care. The CBCS certification is offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) and is designed to validate an individual’s knowledge of medical coding and billing practices.

To become a CBCS, candidates must pass an exam administered by the NHA. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as medical terminology, anatomy & physiology, healthcare reimbursement systems, coding systems, legal & ethical issues related to healthcare reimbursement, and more. Candidates must also have at least one year of experience working in a healthcare setting prior to taking the exam.

The cost for the CBCS certification exam is $189 USD for members of the NHA or $239 USD for non-members. After passing the exam, a certificate will be issued within 2-3 weeks.

2. Certified Professional Medical Biller (CPMB)

Certified Professional Medical Biller (CPMB) is a professional certification offered by the American Medical Billing Association (AMBA). The CPMB credential is designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate a high level of knowledge and proficiency in medical billing and coding.

The CPMB credential requires applicants to have at least two years of experience in medical billing or coding, as well as passing an exam. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as medical terminology, coding systems, insurance policies and regulations, healthcare reimbursement, and electronic health records.

It typically takes about three months to prepare for the CPMB exam. Candidates can use online courses, textbooks, and other resources to study for the exam. Additionally, AMBA offers a practice exam that can help candidates gauge their readiness for the real thing.

The cost of obtaining the CPMB certification varies depending on how you choose to pursue it. The AMBA website lists the cost of taking the exam at $375 for members and $475 for non-members. If you are interested in pursuing additional training or education prior to taking the exam, there may be additional costs associated with those activities.

3. Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS)

Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) is a professional certification program offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated expertise in the use of electronic health records (EHRs) and other related technologies. The CEHRS certification is intended to provide employers with an assurance that certified professionals possess the necessary skills, knowledge, and abilities to effectively manage EHRs.

The CEHRS program consists of two parts: an online exam and a practical skills assessment. To obtain the certification, applicants must pass both parts. The online exam covers topics such as EHR system design, implementation, maintenance, security, privacy, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The practical skills assessment requires applicants to demonstrate their proficiency in using EHR systems through hands-on activities.

The entire process typically takes 6-12 months to complete depending on the applicant's availability and preparation level. Applicants should plan to spend at least 40 hours studying for the online exam and up to 8 hours preparing for the practical skills assessment.

The cost of obtaining the CEHRS certification varies depending on whether or not you are a member of NHA. Non-members must pay $299 for the online exam and $299 for the practical skills assessment; members pay $249 for each part. Additionally, applicants may need to purchase textbooks or other materials in order to adequately prepare for either part of the program.

4. Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist (CMRS)

A Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist (CMRS) is a professional who specializes in the medical billing and coding industry. This certification is offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a high level of proficiency in medical reimbursement, coding, and compliance.

It typically takes about 12 months to complete the requirements for this certification. The process involves completing an approved course from an accredited institution, passing a proctored exam, and obtaining at least two years of experience in medical reimbursement or coding.

To obtain the CMRS certification, you must first become a member of AAPC and pay the annual membership fee. You will then need to register for an approved course from an accredited institution and pass the proctored exam with a score of 70% or higher. Once you have completed these steps, you will need to submit your application for review by AAPC. If approved, you will receive your CMRS certification.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on which course you choose and whether or not you are already a member of AAPC. Generally speaking, it can range anywhere from $500-$1,500 USD depending on what route you take to obtain your certification.

5. Certified Revenue Cycle Representative (CRCR)

Certified Revenue Cycle Representative (CRCR) is a professional certification for individuals who work in the healthcare revenue cycle. This certification is designed to demonstrate proficiency in the areas of patient access, billing, coding, reimbursement, and collections. It validates that an individual has the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively and efficiently manage the financial aspects of the healthcare system.

To obtain the CRCR credential, applicants must pass an exam administered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as patient access, billing and coding, reimbursement, collections, and other related topics. Applicants must have a minimum of two years’ experience in healthcare revenue cycle management or equivalent education/training before taking the exam.

The cost for taking the CRCR exam is $399 USD for AAPC members and $499 USD for non-members. The exam can be taken at any AAPC testing center or online through their website. It typically takes 4-6 weeks to receive results after taking the exam.

Once certified, CRCRs are required to complete 20 continuing education credits every two years in order to maintain their certification status.

6. Certified Medical Billing and Coding Professional (CMBCP)

Certified Medical Billing and Coding Professional (CMBCP) is a certification that demonstrates an individual has the knowledge and skills to accurately code medical services for insurance reimbursement. It is designed for medical billing and coding professionals who want to demonstrate their expertise in the field.

It typically takes about six months to one year to complete the requirements for CMBCP certification, depending on how much prior experience you have in the field. You must first complete a qualified medical billing and coding program or have at least two years of documented experience in the field. After completing your program or having your experience verified, you can then take the Certified Medical Billing and Coding Professional (CMBCP) exam.

The cost of taking the CMBCP exam varies depending on which organization you are taking it through, but typically ranges from $200-$400 USD. Additionally, some organizations may require annual membership fees or continuing education credits to maintain your certification status.

Once certified, you will be able to demonstrate your knowledge of medical coding principles and practices, as well as your ability to accurately code services for insurance reimbursement. This will help you stand out among other job applicants in the field and increase your earning potential.

7. Certified Healthcare Financial Professional (CHFP)

The Certified Healthcare Financial Professional (CHFP) is a professional certification offered by the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA). It is designed to recognize individuals with expertise in healthcare financial management and provide them with an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills. The CHFP certification is a mark of excellence that distinguishes those who have met the highest standards of professional practice in healthcare finance.

To become certified, applicants must meet certain educational and experience requirements, pass a comprehensive exam, and adhere to HFMA’s Code of Ethics. The certification process typically takes about six months from start to finish.

The first step in obtaining the CHFP certification is to submit an application to HFMA. Applicants must have at least two years of full-time professional experience in healthcare finance or a related field, as well as a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Once the application is approved, applicants are eligible to take the CHFP exam. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as healthcare reimbursement, financial planning and analysis, accounting principles, cost accounting, and more.

The fee for the CHFP certification program is $495 for members of HFMA and $595 for non-members. This fee includes access to online study materials, one attempt at the exam, and other benefits such as discounts on continuing education courses and conferences.

8. American Academy of Professional Coders Certification (AAPC)

The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) is a professional organization that provides certification and training for medical coders. It is the largest medical coding organization in the world, providing certification to over 150,000 members.

AAPC offers several different certifications for medical coders, including the Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Professional Coder-Hospital Outpatient (CPC-H), and Certified Professional Coder-Payer (CPC-P). Each of these certifications requires successful completion of an exam.

The CPC exam typically takes 4-6 hours to complete and consists of 150 multiple choice questions. The CPC-H and CPC-P exams are shorter but more specialized exams that focus on hospital outpatient or payer coding respectively.

To become certified by AAPC, you must first join as a member. Membership fees vary depending on your profession and location, but generally range from $50-$200 per year. You must also complete an approved course or program in medical coding before taking the exam. This can be done through self-study or through an AAPC accredited program at a college or university. Once you have completed your coursework, you can register for the exam online at AAPC's website and pay the applicable fee ($399 for CPC).

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your certification from AAPC along with a certificate of completion and wallet card that displays your credentials as a certified professional coder.

9. National Healthcareer Association Certification (NHA)

The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) is a professional organization that provides certifications to healthcare professionals. It is the largest certification body in the U.S., and its certifications are widely recognized by employers and other organizations.

NHA offers several different types of certifications, including Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT), Certified EKG Technician (CET), and Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA). Each certification requires a different level of education and experience, as well as passing an exam.

In order to become certified, applicants must first complete an approved program or training course related to their chosen field. Once they have completed the program, they must then pass the NHA certification exam for their chosen field. The exams are administered at Pearson VUE testing centers throughout the United States and Canada.

The amount of time it takes to get certified depends on how quickly you can complete your training course or program and pass the exam. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from six months to two years to get certified depending on your individual circumstances.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on which certification you are pursuing and whether you choose to take an online or in-person exam preparation course. Generally speaking, most NHA certifications cost between $125-$225 for the initial application fee plus any additional fees associated with taking an exam preparation course or taking the actual exam itself.

10. American Health Information Management Association Certification (AHIMA)

The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) is a professional organization that provides certification for health information management professionals. AHIMA certification is designed to demonstrate knowledge and competency in the field of health information management.

AHIMA offers several different credentials, including Certified Health Data Analyst (CHDA), Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), and Certified Coding Specialist-Physician Based (CCS-P). Each credential requires the completion of an exam, which can be taken online or at a testing center.

The amount of time it takes to receive AHIMA certification depends on the individual's preparation and experience. Generally, it takes about 3-6 months to prepare for the exam and obtain certification.

To get AHIMA certification, individuals must first apply for the credential they are interested in obtaining. Once approved, applicants must complete an exam application form and pay the associated fees. The fee for each credential varies; however, most range from $200-$500 USD. After submitting the application form and paying the fee, applicants will receive instructions on how to register for their chosen exam.

Once registered, applicants must take and pass their chosen exam in order to receive AHIMA certification. Upon successful completion of the exam, applicants will receive their official certificate within 6-8 weeks after taking the test.

Do You Really Need a Billing Clerk Certificate?

When considering whether or not you need a billing clerk certificate, it is important to understand what a billing clerk does and how having a certificate can be beneficial. A billing clerk is responsible for managing the financial transactions of an organization. They are in charge of preparing invoices, tracking payments, processing refunds, and other related tasks.

Having a billing clerk certificate can provide the knowledge and skills necessary to handle these duties efficiently and accurately. It may also give you an edge over other job applicants who don’t have this certification. The certificate may demonstrate your commitment to learning more about the profession and staying up-to-date on best practices and changes in regulations. Having a certification may also open up more career opportunities for you in the field.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a billing clerk certificate depends on your current job situation and goals. If you already have experience in this area and feel confident that you can do the job without one, then it may not be necessary for you to pursue a certification at this time. However, if you are looking to move into the field or advance within it, then getting certified could be beneficial for your future career prospects.

Related: Billing Clerk Resume Examples

FAQs About Billing Clerk Certifications

1. What certifications are available for billing clerks?

Certifications available for billing clerks include Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS), Certified Professional Biller (CPB), Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist (CMRS), and Certified Professional Coder (CPC).

2. How do I become a certified billing clerk?

To become a certified billing clerk, you must complete an accredited program in medical coding and billing, pass a certification exam, and maintain your certification by completing continuing education requirements.

3. What is the cost of becoming a certified billing clerk?

The cost of becoming a certified billing clerk varies depending on the certification program chosen. Generally, programs may range from $500 to $2,000 or more depending on the course materials provided and the length of the program.

4. How long does it take to become a certified billing clerk?

It typically takes 6-12 months to complete an accredited program in medical coding and billing and qualify for a certification exam. Once successfully passing the exam, you will be considered a certified billing clerk.

5. How often must I renew my certification as a billing clerk?

Most certifications require renewal every 2-3 years by completing continuing education requirements or taking an updated version of the certification exam.