Where To Find Free CEUs For AHIMA (Plus A Few For AAPC): Your End-Of-Year “Did I Renew Yet?” Survival Guide

If you work in health information — coding, HIM, HIT, revenue cycle, analytics, privacy, compliance — there is a very specific kind of anxiety that hits sometime between Halloween and New Year’s.

You’re minding your business, sipping a latte, and suddenly your inner thoughts whisper:
“Wait… when is my AHIMA renewal date?”

That happened to me just the other day. I paused mid-scroll, logged into my AHIMA portal, and braced myself. Thankfully, I still had another year left in my cycle — but that heart-drop moment was VERY real. And if you’ve ever scrambled for CEUs in December, you already know the stress.

So let’s take the panic out of CEUs. In this guide, we’ll walk through:

• How AHIMA’s CEU and recertification cycles actually work.
• How many CEUs you need to stay certified.
• Where to find free CEUs that count for AHIMA (and sometimes AAPC).
• A simple, repeatable system so you never scramble again.

Section 1: How AHIMA Recertification Works (In Plain English)

AHIMA uses a two-year recertification cycle. Your cycle typically begins the day you pass your exam or when AHIMA activates your credential. During this two-year period, you must:

• Earn the required CEUs for your credential(s).
• Ensure your CEUs meet AHIMA domain requirements.
• Log all CEUs into your AHIMA CEU Center.
• Pay your recertification fee before your cycle ends.

Your CEU totals, deadlines, and cycle dates are always visible inside your AHIMA online portal — and I highly recommend checking it twice a year.

How Many CEUs Do You Need?

Here are AHIMA’s CEU requirements for each two-year cycle:

If you hold more than one AHIMA credential, AHIMA typically requires an additional 10 CEUs per extra credential, up to a maximum of 50 CEUs per cycle.

For official requirements, always refer to the AHIMA Recertification Page.

The 80/20 Rule (Plus The 40% Requirement)

AHIMA cares about the quality of your CEUs, not just the quantity:

• 80%+ must fall under AHIMA’s HIIM domains.
• 20% or less can be general professional development.
• 40% of all CEUs must come from AHIMA or AHIMA-approved sources.

Section 2: What Happens If You Miss Your CEU Deadline?

No shame — life happens. But here’s what AHIMA does if you miss your cycle deadline:

• Inactive (6 months): Your credential becomes inactive and cannot be used professionally.
• Temporarily Revoked (next 6 months): If you still do not complete your CEUs, the credential moves into revocation status.
• Permanently Revoked: After both grace periods, the credential is fully revoked and requires retesting.

This is why building CEUs into your long-term career strategy is so important. Consistency protects your credential AND your earning potential.

Section 3: Legit Free CEU Sources For AHIMA (And Some For AAPC)

1. Omega Healthcare Education Series

Omega Healthcare offers excellent coding- and HIM-focused CEUs. Explore their free education series here:

https://www.omegahms.com/education/

• CPT updates
• ICD-10-PCS updates
• Tumor registry sessions
• Weekly “Tumor Tips”
• Quarterly Coding Clinic webinars

2. Novitas Solutions Educational Events

Novitas offers regular Medicare billing, coding, compliance, and documentation CEUs. Access the free event calendar here:

Novitas JL & JH Educational Events Calendar

• IPPS updates
• Fee schedule training
• Modifier education
• Overpayment rules
• Prior authorization updates

3. AHIMA Component Associations

Your state HIM association provides some of the best AHIMA-approved CEUs. These count toward your 40% AHIMA-source requirement and often align closely with HIM, coding, privacy, and leadership topics that support your next promotion.

4. AAPC (Occasional Free CEUs)

If you also hold AAPC credentials, check their main site for webinars or chapter meetings:

https://www.aapc.com/

Also review their CEU policies here:

AAPC CEU Policy Page

Section 4: A Simple CEU System So You Never Panic Again

Instead of cramming 20–30 CEUs into December, build a rhythm that supports your learning and your long-term career strategy.

Step 1: Earn 3–5 CEUs Every Quarter

• Complete one free webinar monthly.
• Mix AHIMA + external CEUs to stay balanced.
• Choose CEUs that align with your next move (data, revenue integrity, compliance, leadership, etc.).

Step 2: Keep A “CEU Receipts” Folder

Save certificates with clear naming, like 2025-Omega-CPTUpdate-1CEU.pdf. Store them in a cloud folder (Google Drive, OneDrive, etc.) so they’re easy to upload when you’re in your AHIMA portal.

Step 3: Schedule Two CEU Check-Ins Per Year

• Check your AHIMA CEU Center.
• Upload certificates and verify dates.
• Verify AHIMA-source percentages and domain alignment.

Step 4: Align CEUs With Your Career Direction

Choose CEUs that help move you into roles like data analyst, auditor, privacy specialist, HIM leadership, or revenue integrity analyst. Your CEUs should strengthen your career strategy, not just check a box.

Section 5: Quick Note For AAPC + Dual Credential Holders

If you hold both AHIMA and AAPC credentials, many CEUs can count for both.

• Omega Healthcare (select sessions)
• CMS/MAC webinars such as Novitas
• Some HIM associations and state-level events

Always confirm approval language on each certificate and verify whether the CEU is accepted by both organizations before you count it toward your total.

Section 6: Final Word — CEUs Should Be A Tool, Not A Trigger

That “oh shoot, did I renew yet?” moment is normal — but it doesn’t have to be your yearly tradition.

When you understand:

• How many CEUs you need,
• Where to find free CEUs,
• How to track your cycle,
• And how to stay consistent,

You stop scrambling and start growing. CEUs become a tool for your next promotion, department switch, or salary increase — not just another box to check.

Next Step: Pair Your CEUs With A Real Career Game Plan

CEUs keep your credentials active — but your long-term success comes from building a strategic, empowered career path.