If you’re interested in a coding career, you have several options for training and education.

As with most professions, the real-life workplace is where medical coders gain a lot of knowledge. But before entering this field, most coders choose to earn at least a 1-year diploma or a 2-year associate’s degree.

In any field, the job market can be extremely competitive. When competing for medical coding jobs, it makes sense that best job candidates will begin their career path by getting the most out of their educational experience. It’s wise to consider earning a specialized diploma or degree from an accredited medical coding and billing program. Often, these programs are offered through junior colleges and community colleges.

Another way to get ahead of the competition in the coding field is to take your certification exam, after you complete your training. A few examples of certifications available to medical coding and billing specialists include:

Certified Coding Associate (CCA)

Certified Coding Specialist (CCS)

Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA)

Certified Professional Coder (CPC)

In some cases, medical coding programs are combined with medical billing programs. That’s because these two fields are very closely related. Billing and coding are not the same thing, though. To read more about the differences between these two healthcare fields, click here.

One of the first things you’ll study during your training are the ethics, regulations and laws that a medical coder must follow. Remember: in this field, you’re going to have access to patients’ personal information. This includes their health histories, the medical treatments they receive, and their healthcare provider’s diagnosis of any illnesses or medical conditions.

We’ll talk more about the subjects you can expect to study during your training. An ethical mindset and a solid education are two of the most important ingredients for getting started in a successful career in coding.