How to Become a Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC)

In the healthcare industry, accuracy in coding is essential for patient safety, hospital reimbursement, and regulatory compliance. If you're looking to specialize in coding hospital inpatient services, the Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC) credential—offered by the AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders)—is your gateway to recognition, career growth, and increased earning potential.

Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to become a CIC-certified professional, including the prerequisites, exam structure, preparation strategies, and career benefits.


🎯 What Is a CIC Certification?

The Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC) is a professional certification for individuals who want to demonstrate expertise in inpatient coding, particularly related to ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS coding systems. CIC-certified coders primarily work in hospitals and inpatient settings, coding for services such as surgeries, intensive care, and complex treatments.


📚 Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a CIC

1. Understand the Role of an Inpatient Coder

Before pursuing certification, familiarize yourself with what inpatient coders do. They:

Assign diagnosis and procedure codes for hospital inpatients

Work with discharge summaries, operative reports, and clinical documentation

Ensure documentation compliance with coding and DRG (Diagnosis Related Groups) rules


2. Meet the Prerequisites

Technically, there are no formal educational requirements to sit for the CIC exam. However, having a strong background in the following is highly recommended:

Medical terminology

Anatomy and physiology

ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS coding systems

Inpatient reimbursement methodologies (MS-DRGs)

You can either self-study or enroll in an AAPC-approved CIC training course to build this foundational knowledge.


3. Take a CIC Preparation Course

AAPC and many training institutes offer comprehensive CIC prep courses that include:

Real-world case studies

Coding scenarios from inpatient records

Practice questions based on the latest exam pattern

You can opt for online, in-person, or hybrid classes depending on your schedule.


4. Register for the CIC Exam

Once you feel ready:

Visit www.aapc.com

Create a member account (required to register for the exam)

Pay the exam fee (approximately $399 for members)

Choose between online or in-person exam modes


5. Prepare Strategically

Practice with real inpatient coding scenarios

Focus heavily on ICD-10-PCS procedure coding, which is unique to inpatient coders

Get comfortable with time management, as the exam is 4 hours long with 100 multiple-choice questions


6. Take and Pass the Exam

You must score 70% or higher to pass. Results are usually released within 7–10 business days.

Once you pass, you officially earn the title of Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC).


🚀 Career Opportunities After CIC Certification

With a CIC credential, you become eligible for roles such as:

Inpatient medical coder

DRG validator

Coding auditor

Health information technician

Hospitals, billing companies, and consulting firms prefer hiring certified professionals to ensure accuracy and compliance.


🏁 Final Thoughts

Becoming a Certified Inpatient Coder is a smart career move for coders aiming to work in hospital settings. It not only boosts your credibility but also opens doors to higher salaries, job security, and leadership roles in medical coding. With focused preparation and the right resources, earning your CIC can be an achievable and rewarding goal.

Learn Medical Coding Training Course

Read More: The Role of Audits in Medical Coding

Read More: How Medical Coders Interact with Physicians

Read More: Introduction to the ICD-11 Coding System


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