Yes, you can take an online medical billing and coding program in Texas. Six programs currently accept Texas residents, with tuition ranging from roughly $1,049 to $1,569 and completion times between four and twelve months. Because Texas requires no state license for this work, the credential you earn matters more than where you study, so choosing an accredited program with employer-recognized certification is the most important decision you will make.
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Which online medical billing and coding programs accept Texas residents?
Six programs cover the practical Texas-friendly options across price, length, and credential level. The table below ranks them by total cost. Click a name to jump to the detailed write-up.
| Program | Length | Tuition | Credential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penn Foster — Medical Billing and Coding Career Diploma | 10 mo | $1,049–$1,569 | NHA CBCS prep |
| U.S. Career Institute — Online Medical Coding and Billing Certificate | 5 mo | $1,869–$2,269 | NHA CBCS and AAPC CPC-A prep |
| University of Texas at San Antonio — Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) Training — UTSA PaCE | 4 mo | $3,695 total | NHA CBCS prep |
| CareerStep — Medical Coding and Billing Professional Training Program | 12 mo | $3,699 total | AAPC CPC and NHA CBCS prep |
| AAPC — Medical Coding Course — Self-Paced CPC Exam Prep | 4 mo | $2,799–$5,598 | AAPC CPC prep |
| Herzing University — Diploma in Medical Coding | 10 mo | $13,250 total | AHIMA CCS, AAPC CPC, and NHA CBCS prep |
Penn Foster — Medical Billing and Coding Career Diploma
- Cost:
- $1,049–$1,569
- Length:
- 10 mo
- Format:
- 100% online, asynchronous
- Accreditation:
- DEAC (Distance Education Accrediting Commission)
- Credential prep:
- NHA CBCS
- FAFSA eligible:
- No
Penn Foster's pay-in-full price of $1,049 is the lowest of any accredited online program here. Ten months of self-paced study with NHA CBCS exam prep, plus a credit transfer pathway if you decide to pursue an associate degree later. The catch is that the program preps for one exam, not two, so you may want to add an AAPC course before sitting for the CPC.
Read our full review of Penn Foster →U.S. Career Institute — Online Medical Coding and Billing Certificate
- Cost:
- $1,869–$2,269
- Length:
- 5 mo
- Format:
- 100% online, asynchronous
- Accreditation:
- DEAC (Distance Education Accrediting Commission)
- Credential prep:
- NHA CBCS and AAPC CPC-A
- FAFSA eligible:
- No
Five months of self-paced study and your tuition covers two industry exams (NHA CBCS and AAPC CPC-A), study materials, and practice tests. The school is DEAC-accredited and runs a dedicated Texas enrollment page, so residency questions are settled at signup. Pick this if you want the fastest legitimate path to two credentials without paying for them on the back end.
Read our full review of U.S. Career Institute →University of Texas at San Antonio — Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) Training — UTSA PaCE
- Cost:
- $3,695 total
- Length:
- 4 mo
- Format:
- 100% online, synchronous
- Accreditation:
- Regional accreditation (SACSCOC) for UTSA; this is a continuing-education program
- Credential prep:
- NHA CBCS
- FAFSA eligible:
- No
The University of Texas at San Antonio's continuing-education arm runs this as a live cohort: 96 hours of instruction over 16 weeks, twice-weekly evening or Saturday classes with a real instructor. Tuition includes the NHA CBCS exam voucher. Pick this if you've tried self-paced learning before and stalled, or if you specifically want a Texas public university on your certificate.
Read our full review of University of Texas at San Antonio →CareerStep — Medical Coding and Billing Professional Training Program
- Cost:
- $3,699 total
- Length:
- 12 mo
- Format:
- 100% online, asynchronous
- Accreditation:
- Not specified
- Credential prep:
- AAPC CPC and NHA CBCS
- FAFSA eligible:
- No
Twelve months of access for $3,699, with Practicode and EHR Go simulators built into the curriculum so you're coding real charts before you sit for the exam. Curriculum is aligned to both CPC and CBCS, and the program is approved for MyCAA military-spouse funding. Pick this if you've watched coding tutorials and want hands-on practice over more video lectures.
View program at CareerStep →AAPC — Medical Coding Course — Self-Paced CPC Exam Prep
- Cost:
- $2,799–$5,598
- Length:
- 4 mo
- Format:
- 100% online, asynchronous
- Accreditation:
- Not specified
- Credential prep:
- AAPC CPC
- FAFSA eligible:
- No
AAPC writes the CPC exam, so this is training built by the people who run the test. List price is $5,598 but AAPC discounts to $2,799 several times a year, so wait for a sale. Tuition includes a year of AAPC membership and the CodifyU code-lookup app. Pick this if you already know you want CPC, not CBCS, and you'd rather learn from the credentialing body than a third-party school.
Read our full review of AAPC →Herzing University — Diploma in Medical Coding
- Cost:
- $13,250 total
- Length:
- 10 mo
- Format:
- 100% online, asynchronous
- Accreditation:
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC) — institutional accreditation recognized by U
- Credential prep:
- AHIMA CCS, AAPC CPC, and NHA CBCS
- FAFSA eligible:
- Yes
Herzing is the only FAFSA-eligible university program in the lineup, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and stackable into a full associate degree if you want to keep going. 25 credits at $530 each gets you to $13,250 over 10 months full-time, and the curriculum preps for three exams (CCS, CPC, CBCS) instead of one or two. Pick this if you need federal aid, want a degree pathway open, or expect to apply to roles that prefer a regionally accredited school.
Read our full review of Herzing University →Also consider: Texas-based programs
If you'd rather attend in person, these 5 Texas-based programs are the strongest campus-based or community-college options. They typically run cheaper than national online programs but require you to be local.
| School | City | Length | Cost | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lone Star College Medical Coder Certificate | Houston | 12 mo | $3,300–$4,000 | CAHIIM |
| Austin Community College Medical Billing & Coding Continuing Education Certificate | Austin | 6 mo | $6,000–$6,400 | CAHIIM |
| North Central Texas College Medical Coding & Insurance Certificate | Gainesville | 4 mo | $700–$1,200 | CAHIIM |
| Alvin Community College Medical Office Billing and Revenue Cycle Management | Alvin | 4 mo | $2,200–$2,800 | CAHIIM |
| Northeast Texas Community College Medical Coding Specialist Certificate | Mount Pleasant | 12 mo | $2,500–$3,500 | CAHIIM |
Which billing and coding credential should you pursue?
The four credentials below cover most medical billing and coding job postings. Pick the one your target employer prefers, then choose a program that prepares you for it.
| Credential | Issuing body | Exam cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPC Certified Professional Coder | AAPC | $399 members / $499 non-members | Physician practices, outpatient clinics, and specialty groups. The most common credential in coding postings. |
| CCA Certified Coding Associate | AHIMA | $199 members / $299 non-members | Entry-level coders. AHIMA's starter credential and often the lowest-friction first certification. |
| CCS Certified Coding Specialist | AHIMA | $299 members / $399 non-members | Hospital inpatient coding. The hospital-system counterpart to the CPC. |
| CBCS Certified Billing and Coding Specialist | NHA | $117 | Combined billing and coding roles in physician practices and revenue cycle teams. |
How much do online medical billing and coding programs cost in Texas?
Online medical billing and coding programs range from roughly $1,049 to $13,250, depending on the school's accreditation type, whether federal aid is available, and how many certification exams the tuition covers.
The four tiers below reflect the main price bands in online medical billing and coding education. Each step up in cost typically adds a new benefit: more exam prep, live instruction, or access to federal financial aid.
| Tier | Tuition range | What you get | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| National DEAC career school, entry | $1,049–$1,569 | Tuition covers self-paced coursework and NHA CBCS exam preparation through a DEAC-accredited school, but does not include FAFSA eligibility. | Penn Foster |
| National DEAC career school, full prep | $1,869–$2,269 | Tuition covers self-paced coursework with preparation for both the NHA CBCS and AAPC CPC-A exams through a DEAC-accredited school, but does not include FAFSA eligibility. | U.S. Career Institute |
| State university continuing education program | $3,695–$3,699 | Tuition covers a structured cohort or workforce-pathway format with preparation for one or more national certification exams at a regionally accredited university, though the program itself is non-credit and not FAFSA-eligible. | University of Texas at San Antonio |
| FAFSA-eligible regionally accredited university | $13,250 | Tuition covers a formal diploma program at an HLC-accredited university with preparation for three certifications (AHIMA CCS, AAPC CPC, and NHA CBCS), and the program qualifies for federal financial aid. | Herzing University |
How do you become a medical biller or coder in Texas?
- 1
Pick your credential and program
education1-2 weeks · $0 (research only)
Research the main certifications available for medical billing and coding in Texas, such as the CPC, CCS, or CMBS, and compare the 6 programs available to find the best fit for your schedule, budget, and career goals. This phase costs nothing and typically takes one to two weeks of focused research.
- 2
Complete your chosen program
training licensing4 mo to 4 yr · Varies by program
Enroll in and complete your chosen program, which can range from a four-month certificate course to a four-year degree depending on how deep you want to go in the field. Tuition and fees vary widely by program, so confirm costs upfront before you commit.
- 3
Pass your Medical Billing and Coding certification exam
career6-12 weeks prep · $117-$499
Prepare for and pass your chosen certification exam, with most candidates spending six to twelve weeks studying before test day. Exam fees run from $117 for options like the CMBS up to $499 for the AAPC's CPC, so budget accordingly.
Do you need a license to work as a medical biller or coder in Texas?
Texas does not require a state license to work in medical billing and coding. There is no board approval or government-issued credential standing between you and employment in this field. That said, most employers screen for at least one nationally recognized certification, with the CPC (Certified Professional Coder), CCA (Certified Coding Associate), CCS (Certified Coding Specialist), and CBCS (Certified Billing and Coding Specialist) appearing most often in job requirements alongside hands-on experience in claims processing or revenue cycle work. The job postings below show exactly which credentials and experience levels Texas hiring managers are listing right now.
What is the Texas job market like for medical billers and coders?
We pulled the most recent medical billing and coding postings open to Texas residents from Indeed, employer career sites, and relevant professional job boards. The numbers below summarize roughly 1,794 postings from the last 90 days; the three sample postings further down are representative examples we analyzed to figure out what employers actually require.
Top-level findings: median posted pay is $48,030, 22% of roles are remote or remote-eligible, and the largest employers hiring right now include Texas Health Resources, CHRISTUS Health, DHR Health.
Sources: posting count from Indeed; median salary from BLS OEWS 29-2072.
Sample postings analyzed below
A CPC or CCS credential is the baseline across these postings, and experience requirements start at a minimum of five years for senior roles. You need working knowledge of ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS, and the higher-paying positions add specialty layers. The CSI Companies cardiology role pays $30-36 per hour, but the top of that range is only reachable with "additional Cardiology specialty cert (CCC)." Accuracy matters in a measurable way: that same role requires you to "meet or exceed a coding accuracy rate of 95%."
The CSI posting sets the most demanding bar. It asks for "Minimum 5 years of Profee Multispecialty coding to include strong office E/M and Hospital Rounding of E/M Levels including Shared/Split and Critical Care Experience." The Greenberg-Larraby role in Temple stays closer to fundamentals, requiring "strong knowledge of ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS coding guidelines" and work "with multiple specialties," but does not name a credential threshold explicitly.
Two of the three positions are fully remote, which tracks with the broader market being about 22% remote-friendly. PreMedSys adds a bilingual requirement, listing "Fluent in English and Spanish" as required, not preferred, which reflects the San Antonio patient population. The onsite position in Temple is the outlier. Entry-level is not well represented here: even the supervisory billing role at PreMedSys states "previous medical billing and coding experience required" without naming a ceiling, but the coding roles lean toward mid-career and above.
If you are choosing a medical billing and coding program, prioritize one that prepares you for the CPC or CCS exam and includes hands-on training in ICD-10-CM, CPT, and specialty coding, because those credentials and skills appear across every level of these postings.
FAQ
Can I work full-time while enrolled in any of these programs?
All six programs are offered online and self-paced or flexible, making them compatible with full-time work. The shortest option is UTSA PaCE at 4 months, while CareerStep runs 12 months at the longer end.
Do these programs accept FAFSA?
Only Herzing University accepts FAFSA. The other five programs, including Penn Foster, CareerStep, and AAPC, do not, though some offer payment plans.
Will an out-of-state program count for Texas employers?
Yes. Medical billing and coding certifications like the NHA CBCS, AAPC CPC, and AHIMA CCS are nationally recognized credentials, so the program's location does not affect how Texas employers view them.
How long until I can sit for the certification exam?
As few as 4 months with UTSA PaCE or AAPC's self-paced course. Penn Foster and Herzing take around 10 months, and CareerStep is the longest at 12 months before you're exam-ready.