AACE-CEC Requirements

CEC Code of Ethical Standards

Certified Endocrinology Coders (CEC) shall be dedicated to providing the highest standard of professional coding and billing services to their employers and patients.

A CEC shall maintain the highest standard of personal and professional conduct. Members shall respect the rights of patients, clients, employers, and all other colleagues.

A CEC shall use only legal and ethical means in all professional dealings, and shall refuse to cooperate with or condone by silence, the actions of those who engage in fraudulent, deceptive, or illegal acts.

Testing Requirements

In order to sit, for the CEC exam, an attendee must:

• Bring a current CPT, ICD-9-CM, and HCPCS Book
• Show a valid picture ID, to match registration information
• Bring a number two pencil for the exam

If for any reason an attendee is unable to bring their current CPT, ICD-9-CM, and HCPCS books, they will ineligible to take the CEC exam. Registrants will be provided a Course Manual, on site, as part of the registration package.

In order to earn your CEC credentials, an examinee must:

• Have a high school diploma or GED equivalent
• Have at least two years of coding work experience. Coding work experience is defined as on-the-job experience that includes working with CPT®, ICD-9-CM, or HCPCS code sets.
• Submit two letters of recommendation that verify coding work experience. Letters must outline coding experience
  • The first letter must be from a supervisor typed on company letterhead, and must outline coding work experience (job description using code books) and amount of time in that capacity
  • The second letter should be from another supervisor, additional employer, or coworker
• Achieve a passing score in each section of the examination. If a passing score in each section is not achieved each time the examination is taken, the entire examination must be retaken.

CEC Certification

Certified Endocrinology Coders (CEC) will successfully pass the CEC coding exam with a minimum passing score of 75%. Once the credentials have been attainted, they must be maintained annually by the payment of the AACE-CEC membership fee and the submission of (6) approved Continuing Medical Education (CME's) or six (6) approved continuing education units (CEU's). If you so chose, you may retake the CEC test in lieu of the 6 CME/CEU requirement.

The due date for postmark of the renewal is the last day of the month, of the subsequent year, that coincides with the month in which the credentialing test was given. For example, if you sat and passed the CEC exam on June 10, 2004, you will need to have your renewal post marked by June 30, 2005. There will be a $25.00 charge per month applied for late renewals, not to exceed 90 days. If the renewal has lapsed past 90 days, a new certification exam must be taken to reinstate your CEC credentials.

AACE will maintain a database for verification of credentials, however, no information will be given over the telephone, email, or fax within the first 60 days of taking the exam.

Credential Revocation

If, at any time during certification, a CEC is found guilty of a crime related to unethical or fraudulent behavior with respect to healthcare billing or is placed on the Office of Inspector General's List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE), an individual's AACE-CEC credential will be revoked immediately. Upon removal from the LEIE database, a CEC may apply to retake the AACE-CEC course and sit for the exam to reinstate their credentials.