Discover Online Medical Billing and Coding Programs with No GED Requirement

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HealthcareMedical CodingNursing

HealthcareOnline Learning

Updated: 05/21/2026

Sometimes life just gets in the way of finishing high school. If that’s your situation, and you’re considering a career in medical billing and coding to get into healthcare, here’s what you need to know: Yes, medical billing and coding programs with no GED requirement do exist, with most programs allowing you to start classes as you work toward your GED at the same time. Let’s take a look at some schools that offer this option and what to expect when it’s time to move toward certification.

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Program Types
Top Schools
FAQs

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Program Types
Top Schools
FAQs

What “No GED Required” Actually Means

“No GED Required” can mean two very different things in the world of medical billing and coding programs.

Programs with concurrent enrollment
Programs that don’t require a high school diploma or GED at any point

The first, and the one you’ll see most often, is concurrent enrollment. In this case, a GED or high school diploma is still required, but the school allows you to begin your billing and coding training while you’re completing this prerequisite at the same time. Oftentimes, the program helps you enroll in a GED program alongside your billing and coding classes.

Regardless of which option you choose, you must also look beyond enrollment. Even if a program accepts you without a diploma or GED, most certification exams require one before you can sit for the test. For example, the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) credential from the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) and the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) both require candidates to have a high school education or equivalent.

So, even if you complete your training without a GED or high school diploma, you may run into challenges when it’s time to get certified.

Finally, be aware that you generally need a high school diploma or GED to receive federal financial aid, though some schools offer what’s called an Eligible Career Pathway Program (ECPP). If a school offers this, students without a high school diploma or GED may still qualify for federal financial aid through a pathway called Ability to Benefit (ATB). It’s not available at every school, so if cost is a concern, ask whether the program qualifies before you enroll.

Online Medical Billing/Coding Programs that Don’t Require a GED

If you’re interested in becoming a medical biller and coder but don’t have a high school diploma or GED, here are a few programs that can meet you where you are:

High Desert Medical College

The 35-week hybrid Medical Billing and Coding certificate program at High Desert Medical College combines online coursework with hands-on training and a 200-hour externship. The school is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET).

High Desert Medical College participates in ECPP, which means you can enroll in their medical billing and coding program and work toward your high school diploma at the same time through a partnership with a local high school.

To qualify, you need to pass an independently administered, Department of Education-approved ATB assessment. Because this school participates in an ECPP, qualifying students may also be eligible for federal financial aid through the ATB pathway.

UEI College

UEI College’s Medical Billing and Insurance Coding diploma program blends online learning with on-campus classes twice a week. The program can be completed in as few as 10 months and includes an externship.

While UEI College generally requires a high school diploma or GED for standard admission, they can help you obtain your high school diploma — if you don’t have one — while you’re enrolled in their medical billing and insurance coding program.

This is concurrent enrollment, not a waiver of the requirement. You will be working toward both credentials at the same time, and UEI’s admissions team can walk you through the process.

Asher College

With campuses in three states, Asher College’s hybrid Medical Billing and Coding program can be completed in as few as 12 to 17 months for a certificate, or 18 to 23 months for an Associate of Applied Science degree. After graduation, you can sit for several nationally recognized certifications, and the school is accredited by ACCET.

If you’re starting without a high school diploma, Asher College offers a concurrent enrollment model through its ECPP. Through this program, you can enroll in a partner high school to earn your diploma while simultaneously taking your medical billing and coding classes.

To get started, you’ll need to pass an approved ATB assessment, which helps ensure you’re ready for the coursework. Qualifying students may also be eligible for federal financial aid through this pathway.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a job in medical billing and coding without a GED?

It’s possible to get a job in medical billing and coding without a GED. Some employers may hire for entry-level positions based on your training and skills alone, especially in smaller offices. That said, many employers prefer candidates who have a high school diploma or GED.

Just as importantly, most professional certification exams in this field require a high school diploma or GED, and certified coders are significantly more competitive in the job market. Not having that credential can limit your options, so it’s something to keep in mind as you plan your next steps.

Will I be able to sit for a certification exam if I don’t have a GED?

In most cases, no, you won’t be able to sit for a certification exam without a GED. The most well-known organizations in this field, AAPC and AHIMA, generally require you to have a high school diploma or its equivalent to be eligible for their professional credentials.

That’s why some students choose to work on their GED while completing their medical billing and coding training, so they’re ready to move forward immediately after finishing the program.

What software will I use during a billing and coding externship?

It depends on the site. Common software includes Medisoft, athenahealth, Intergy, and AdvancedMD.

Your school will likely introduce you to at least one practice management system, but the specific software used during externship varies by office.

Can I use financial aid to pay for a no-GED medical billing and coding program?

Federal financial aid through FAFSA generally requires a high school diploma or GED. But if the school participates in an ECPP, you may qualify for federal aid through the ATB pathway without a diploma.

Not every school offers this, so ask admissions before you assume financial aid is available to you.

What is the difference between no-GED enrollment and concurrent enrollment?

Enrolling without a GED means the program has no high school diploma or GED requirement at all, either to start or finish the coursework.

Concurrent enrollment means a diploma or GED is still required, but the school lets you work toward it while you complete your career training at the same time.

Both are legitimate options, but they are not the same thing. Make sure you know which one a school actually offers before enrolling.

Is getting a GED worth it even if a program doesn’t require one?

In most cases, it is worth getting a GED even if a program doesn’t require one. Even if you complete a program without a GED, you’ll likely need it later for certification and certain job opportunities.

It also gives you more flexibility if you decide to continue your education down the road.

Discover Online Medical Billing and Coding Programs with No GED Requirement

What “No GED Required” Actually Means

Online Medical Billing/Coding Programs that Don’t Require a GED

High Desert Medical College

UEI College

Asher College

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a job in medical billing and coding without a GED?

Will I be able to sit for a certification exam if I don’t have a GED?

What software will I use during a billing and coding externship?

Can I use financial aid to pay for a no-GED medical billing and coding program?

What is the difference between no-GED enrollment and concurrent enrollment?

Is getting a GED worth it even if a program doesn’t require one?

Maggie Aime, RN, MSN, CPC AUTHOR

Jordan Cosselman EDITOR