How to Verify an AAPC CPB Certification

Quick answer

Verify CPB credentials through the AAPC Member Directory at aapc.com/find-a-coder. Search by name or AAPC member number to confirm active membership and CPB certification status. AAPC certifications require active membership — a lapsed member cannot use the CPB credential.

What the CPB certification is

The CPB (Certified Professional Biller) is issued by AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders) and is specifically focused on the billing side of the revenue cycle: claim submission, payer rules, reimbursement methodologies, insurance billing, accounts receivable, and compliance.

The CPB is distinct from AAPC's coding credentials (CPC, COC, CRC, etc.) — it is designed for professionals who manage payer relationships, submit claims, follow up on denials, and handle payment posting rather than assigning medical codes.

CPB exam requirements:

› No experience prerequisite — the CPB exam can be taken without prior billing work experience, though AAPC recommends at least some familiarity with medical billing
› Exam: 200 multiple-choice questions, open-book, 5 hours 40 minutes; covers payer guidelines, claims submission, reimbursement, revenue cycle management, compliance
› AAPC membership: Active AAPC membership required to maintain CPB status

How to verify CPB certification

Step 1: Use the AAPC Find a Coder directory

Navigate to aapc.com/find-a-coder. This is AAPC's public member directory covering all AAPC certifications: CPB, CPC, COC, CRC, CPC-P, CPPM, and specialty credentials. The search is free and requires no login.

Search by name and optionally filter by state or specialty. The directory returns active AAPC members who have opted into the public listing.

Step 2: Confirm CPB designation in the record

AAPC member records list active certifications. Look explicitly for "CPB" in the credentials listed. An AAPC member may hold other certifications (CPC, etc.) without holding the CPB — membership alone does not confirm billing certification.

If the search returns no result, ask the candidate for their AAPC member ID number and request a verification letter from AAPC confirming their active credentials.

Step 3: Verify active membership status

AAPC certifications are tied to membership. Members who have not renewed their AAPC membership have a 6-month grace period before credentials lapse. After that, they cannot use AAPC credential designations. The directory only shows currently active members, which provides implicit confirmation of active status.

CPB maintenance requirements

Requirement	Details
AAPC membership dues	Annual renewal required; fee varies by membership tier
CEUs (Continuing Education Units)	36 CEUs every two years; must include compliance CEUs
Renewal cycle	2 years from certification date

AAPC billing and coding credentials: the full landscape

AAPC issues over 30 credential types. In revenue cycle and billing roles, the most relevant are:

CPB — Certified Professional Biller

Billing focus

Payer rules, claim submission, AR management, denial management, revenue cycle compliance.

CPC — Certified Professional Coder

Coding focus

Outpatient/physician office medical coding using CPT, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II codes. Most widely held AAPC credential.

COC — Certified Outpatient Coder

Coding focus

Hospital outpatient coding, APC reimbursement, facility-side coding. Distinct from CPC (physician coding).

CPPM — Certified Physician Practice Manager

Management focus

Physician practice management, including HR, compliance, financial management, and operations. Common for office managers in large practices.

CPB vs. AHIMA billing credentials

AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association) also offers credentials relevant to billing and coding. AHIMA credentials tend to focus more on HIM (Health Information Management), inpatient coding, and data management:

AHIMA CCS (Certified Coding Specialist)

Inpatient hospital coding using ICD-10-CM/PCS. Strong in acute care settings. Verify at ahima.org/certification.

AHIMA RHIT (Registered Health Information Technician)

Broad HIM credential covering coding, data quality, compliance, and privacy. Associate's degree from CAHIIM-accredited program required. Verify at ahima.org.

Billing vs. coding: hiring distinction

The CPB is a billing credential — it does not authorize medical coding and is not a substitute for CPC or CCS credentials in coding roles. If your revenue cycle role requires both billing and coding, verify both credentials independently. Holding one does not imply the other.

Verify the educational credentials too

Many billing and coding roles require an associate's degree or completion of a medical billing program. Use VerifyED to confirm that a candidate's degree or program credential comes from a legitimately accredited institution — and catch diploma mill health sciences programs before they enter your revenue cycle team.

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