Since the code sets for each coding book are updated every year, it's essential for coders to have the current year’s books to ensure accurate performance. Reporting wrong codes can lead to denied claim submissions and substantial penalization. It's clearly very important to get an education on the annual code set updates and to obtain new code books every year.

All AAPC exams are based on the current calendar year's code sets, so we strongly suggest you use the current year's books. The previous calendar year’s books may be used on an exam, but you would be at obvious disadvantage doing so. The upcoming year's books are not allowed for exam use. The exams are updated every January for the new code sets.

In other words, all exams administered in 2024 are based on the 2024 code sets, and we strongly recommend using the 2024 code books. Code books from 2023 may be used on the 2024 exams, but doing so puts the success of your exam at risk. Code books from 2025 may not be used on 2024 exams.