Externships for Job-Ready students
Enter the medical billing and coding field with credible, real-world experience.Your success is closer than you think.
The Job-Ready Program guarantees externship placement for qualified graduates, ensuring that when you complete the program, you already have real-world experience under your belt.
With a minimum of 160 hours of hands-on medical billing and coding work through AAPC's partner employers, you'll bridge the gap between textbook learning and actual job readiness — building the confidence and experience needed to thrive in your future role.
Guaranteed externship placement for qualified graduates
Hands-on billing and coding experience to boost your resume
Expert guidance and mentorship from trusted employers
How your externship can open doors
The Job-Ready Program goes beyond certification to equip you with the career support you need to be job ready and stand out in the hiring process.
Bridge education and experience
Move beyond theory and into practice. Gain tangible experience with real-world medical billing and coding tasks to prepare for your first job.
Employers value candidates who’ve already applied their skills in a professional setting. Your hands-on training will set you apart as a job-ready applicant.
Build a remarkable resume
With both the CPC® and CPB® certifications, resume-building support, and proven industry experience — you'll leave a strong impression on hiring managers right away.
Real connections, real confidence
Establish connections with employers and industry professionals. Your verified work experience and references will give weight to your job applications.
Follow a proven path to success
Join thousands of graduates who have successfully pivoted their careers through AAPC’s training and externship opportunities.
The externship placement process
Step 1: Meet all externship placement requirements
Complete the CPC course or CPC + CPB courses directly through AAPC
Achieve course completion scores of 87% (B+)
Have good attendance with no more than two absences
Achieve a passing score on certification exam
CPC Job-Ready students: 70% or higher on the CPC exam
CPC + CPB Job-Ready students: 70% or higher on the CPC and CPB exams
Be an AAPC member in good standing with no disciplinary actions
Be able to pass internal interviews and be willing to attend coaching sessions
Pass any pre-employment assessment administered by an AAPC partner employer
Be available to dedicate the minimum number of hours per week during daytime hours as specified by the AAPC employer partner
Step 2: Get matched with a partner employer
By maintaining high performance in your training and meeting attendance and evaluation milestones, you’ll secure eligibility for externship placement.
Step 3: Work with trusted partners
Once eligible, AAPC pairs you with an employer who provides a minimum of 160 hours of hands-on experience in essential medical billing and coding functions, such as coding patient records and processing insurance claims.
Step 4: Graduate job ready
Upon completing the externship, you’ll not only hold your certifications but also possess the real-world expertise critical to landing your first job.
Frequently asked questions
You'll work with AAPC partner employers performing tasks like medical coding, insurance claim submissions, and managing the revenue cycle process, providing real-world experience in a fast-paced environment.