Certification Exam Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are prepared to sit for a coding credential exam. Graduates passing the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) credentialing exam are designated as Certified Coding Specialists (CCS). The CCS credential demonstrates tested data quality and integrity skills in a coding practitioner. Credentialed coders distinguish themselves from non-credentialed coders that do not possess the higher level of expertise necessary to earn certification.