Compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of obtaining professional coding certifications. 

An advantage of obtaining certification in professional coding is the opportunity to join professional associations. Other benefits include eligibility for scholarships or grants, opportunity to network, and reduced certification exam fees.
On the contrary, a major disadvantage of this profession is the fact that most graduates of the medical assistant and medical office administration program, typically do not get a chance for full-time employment as coders.

Apart from these factors, another factor is about the amount it costs for the certification exam. According to the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), the exam fees for each certification vary on whether the person is a member of this association or not. For members, the costs of the exams are cheaper compared to the non-members of the association.