You must present a valid, government-issued photo ID on exam day. Your first and last name on your AAPC account, exam registration, and exam confirmation must match the first and last name shown on your government-issued photo ID.
If your first or last name does not match, you may not be admitted to your exam. This may result in a no-show status, cancellation of your exam appointment, or forfeiture of your exam attempt.
Do middle names have to match?
No. Middle names are optional.
A difference involving a middle name, middle initial, or maiden name used as a middle name generally should not prevent testing as long as your first and last name match your government-issued photo ID.
What if I have multiple last names or a suffix?
If your government-issued photo ID includes multiple last names or a suffix, those same last names or suffix should be reflected on your exam registration and confirmation.
What if my name is incorrect?
If your first or last name is incorrect, submit a name change request before your exam.
To request a name change:
Go to the AAPC website.
Select Support.
Select Exams.
Locate the name change question under the Exam FAQs section.
Complete the official AAPC name change form.
You may be asked to provide documentation, including:
Two forms of identification
Your AAPC member ID number
Your old name
Your new name
Name changes are not immediate. Submit your request as early as possible and verify that your updated name appears correctly in your AAPC account and exam confirmation before exam day.
Before exam day
Before arriving for your exam, confirm that:
Your first and last name match your government-issued photo ID.
Your AAPC account shows the correct name.
Your exam confirmation shows the correct name.
Any required name change has been submitted and processed.
Frequently asked questions
Will a middle name difference prevent me from taking the exam?
No. Middle name differences generally do not affect exam eligibility as long as your first and last name match your government-issued photo ID.
Do I need to include my middle name when creating an AAPC account?
No. Only your first and last name are required for exam name-matching purposes.
Does my middle name need to appear on my AAPC account to match my ID?
No. Middle names are optional and do not need to match.
What should I do if I recently changed my name?
Submit a name change request as soon as possible. Then verify that your updated name appears correctly in your AAPC account and exam confirmation before exam day.
What happens if my account name does not match my ID on exam day?
You may not be admitted to the exam, and your exam appointment may be treated as a no-show or forfeited attempt. Contact AAPC before your exam if your first or last name needs to be corrected.