Professional Certificate Approval Program

Purpose:

The AHIMA PCAP sets the national benchmark for non-degree coding and health information certificate programs. Designed to ensure quality and workforce readiness, PCAP recognizes programs that meet rigorous standards in curriculum, instruction, and faculty qualifications. PCAP-approved programs offer real-world learning, access to industry professionals, and eligibility for AHIMA’s premier coding certifications (CCA, CCS, CCS-P). These programs empower students with in-demand skills, promote lifelong learning, and support a future-ready health information workforce.

PCAP

Benefits of PCAP Approval

PCAP

1. Credentialed and Qualified Faculty

  • Programs employ experienced educators who hold relevant AHIMA credentials and meet quality standards in coding education.

2. Engagement with Professional Associations

  • PCAP-approved programs demonstrate active involvement in local, regional, and national health information management and coding associations.
  • These programs foster professional development and alignment with current industry needs and practices.

3. Experiential Learning with Authentic Coding Cases

  • Students gain hands-on experience through access to a minimum of 150 real-world coding cases, preparing them for immediate entry into the workforce.
  • Inpatient and outpatient scenarios including clinic cases, same day surgery, Emergency Department, etc.

4. Real-World Experiences and Applied Learning

  • Curricula are grounded in practical applications and can include traditional or virtual professional practice experiences (PPEs), where students/graduates can apply their learned competencies in real-world settings.

5. Access to Industry Professionals

  • Programs offer valuable networking and mentorship opportunities by connecting students with established professionals across the health information landscape.

6. Industry-Wide Recognition of Excellence

  • PCAP approval signifies national recognition for meeting or exceeding industry-defined quality standards in program design, instruction, curriculum, and graduate competencies.

7. Directory Visibility

  • Approved programs are prominently listed in AHIMA’s Directory of PCAP Approved Programs, enhancing visibility and credibility with prospective students and employers.

8. Pathway for AHIMA Certification Exams

9. Adherence to Rigorous Standards

  • PCAP approval reflects a program’s commitment to maintaining high academic and professional standards set by leaders in coding education and practice.
  • Programs receive confidential reports of certification exam results designed to support continuous improvement benchmarked against other programs.

10. Commitment to Workforce Development

  • PCAP programs prepare graduates for long-term career success through competency-based instruction, applied practice, and alignment with evolving workforce demands.

PCAP Directory

Directory of PCAP Approved Programs

The Directory of PCAP Approved Programs is a trusted online resource for prospective students and employers alike. Students use the directory to find high-quality, AHIMA-approved coding certificate programs that meet rigorous educational and industry standards. Employers turn to it to identify programs producing well-prepared, credential-eligible candidates ready to meet the demands of today’s health information workforce.

Eligibility Criteria

An academic coding certificate program is eligible to apply for PCAP approval only if:

  • The sponsoring institution has had students enrolled in the coding certificate program for a minimum of six months; and
  • The sponsoring academic institution is accredited by a national US Department of Education accreditor or comparable international accrediting authority.

There are no exceptions to these eligibility criteria.

Initial/Renewal Application Process

1. Contact pcap@ahima.org and request the application documents which will include the PCAP Competencies, PCAP Manual, Self-study, and Self-assessment.

2. Ensure that all required documents are prepared as directed so they can be easily uploaded during the online application process. If you have any questions as you are preparing your application materials, please contact AHIMA’s PCAP Administrator at pcap@ahima.org.

3. Using the Self-Study Template as your primary tool,

  • Go to the SmarterSelect website to access the online PCAP application system.
  • Select the Apply button to create your initial online PCAP application.
  • Upload all required documents.
  • Enter required narrative text.
  • Submit your application. If you are not ready to submit your application, you will also have an option to save your work and submit it later.

4. Submit full payment.

5. Upon submission of the online application and full payment, email pcap@ahima.org. You will receive an email confirmation to verify receipt of your application and payment, after which the formal application review process will begin.

Attestation Process

Follow the steps below to annually renew PCAP approval:

1. Download and review the following documents for the PCAP renewal (attestation) requirements:

2. Ensure that all required documents are prepared as directed so they can be easily forwarded via email.

  • If you have any questions as you are preparing your renewal (attestation) materials, please contact AHIMA’s PCAP Administrator at pcap@ahima.org.

3. Email your Annual Attestation Form and any other required documents to pcap@ahima.org.

4. Submit full payment. Email pcap@ahima.org after payment has been submitted.

5 .Upon submission of your Annual Attestation Form, any other required documents and full payment, you will receive an email confirmation to verify receipt of your renewal materials and payment, after which the formal renewal review process will begin.