The Certified Professional Coder (CPC) is the gold standard for medical coding in a physician office setting. The CPC certification exam tests the competencies required to perform the job of a professional coder who specializes in coding for services performed by physicians and non-physician providers (eg, nurse practitioners and physician assistants).
Individuals who earn the CPC credential have proven expertise in physician/non-physician provider documentation review, abstract professional provider encounters, coding proficiency with CPT®, HCPCS Level II, ICD-10-CM, and compliance and regulatory requirements for physician services.
Exam format
100 multiple-choice questions
Two ways to take the exam
Choose to take the exam online at home with a live remote proctor, or on a computer at a testing center. Learn more about your exam options and how to prepare.
Time allowed
Exams are administered in one sitting, with four hours to complete the exam.
Equipment required for exam
Our live remote proctored exam requires a closed room free from distraction with window coverings, a reliable, high-speed internet connection, a computer, and an external webcam that can be positioned to show your face, hands, keyboard, and the area around the keyboard (about 10 inches).
Exams taken at a testing center do not require any special equipment from the test-taker.
Experience requirements
Training requires a high-level knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, and pathophysiology. If you don’t have medical experience or working knowledge of these subjects, we offer prerequisite courses to prepare you for certification training. Learn more.
The certification exam will test your understanding of the proper application of CPT® procedure codes, HCPCS Level II procedure and supply codes, and ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes.
Approved code books
AMA's CPT® Professional Edition (current year)
ICD-10-CM (current year), any publisher
HCPCS Level II (current year), any publisher
Current year books are highly recommended as code sets are updated annually. You may choose to utilize books from the preceding year, the current year, or a combination of both; however, only one copy of each book is allowed.
Maintaining your certification
To maintain your credential, you must maintain your AAPC annual membership, and earn 36 continuing education units (CEUs) every two years.
Pricing
An exam purchase includes two exam attempts for $499.
Competencies proven with CPC credential include
Expertise in medical record review to abstract information required to support accurate coding.
Ability to identify documentation deficiencies and properly query providers for proper code capture. Ӏ Expertise in assigning accurate CPT®, HCPCS Level II, and ICD-10-CM medical codes for diagnoses and procedures.
Solid understanding of anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology required to correctly code professional provider services and diagnoses.
Proficiency across a wide range of services, including evaluation and management, anesthesia, surgery, radiology, pathology, and medicine.
A sound knowledge of medical coding guidelines and regulations including compliance and reimbursement – allowing a CPC to better handle issues such as medical necessity, claims denials, bundling issues, and charge capture.
Understanding of how to integrate medical coding and payment policy changes into a practice’s reimbursement processes.
About the CPC exam
The CPC exam is a test of medical coding proficiency consisting of 100 multiple-choice questions that assess 17 areas of knowledge.
Most questions present a coding scenario to test proper application of CPT® procedure codes, HCPCS Level II supply codes, and ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes — all of which medical providers use to submit claims to payers.
Whether you take the exam online or in-person, you must complete the CPC exam within four hours and answer 70% of the questions correctly to pass.
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