AAPC's Certified Professional Compliance Officer (CPCO) credential addresses the ever-growing compliance requirements of government laws, regulations, rules, and guidelines. Medical practices need staff who can develop, organize, manage, and direct the functions of a compliance department.
By passing the CPCO exam, employers recognize you possess an understanding of the key requirements necessary to effectively develop, implement, and monitor a healthcare compliance program for your practice based on governmental regulatory guidelines — including internal compliance reviews, audits, risk assessments, and staff education and training.
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
The CPCO exam requires an understanding of a wide variety of compliance topics and issues. CPCO candidates should undertake training and/or have two years of experience working with compliance programs.
Prior to the CPCO exam, you should be extremely familiar with key elements required for compliance programs, including the daily operational aspects. You should also be familiar with key laws and regulations impacting compliance programs, physician practices, and policies used to address potential fraud and abuse, including associated penalties and fines. Additionally, you should know where to go and how to research information to identify correct practices to mitigate compliance risks.
Be aware that this is a challenging, high-level examination which is not meant for individuals with limited or no compliance experience or training.
If you don’t have compliance experience or working knowledge of these subjects, we offer recommended prerequisite courses to prepare you for the CPCO® preparation course. Learn more.
Approved code books
No physical references are allowed. All necessary materials are available within the exam platform.
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. Of note:
• 80% of AAPC students pass on the first attempt.
• Students who train with AAPC are three times more likely to pass the certification exam.
About the CPCO exam
The CPCO exam contains 100 multiple-choice questions (proctored). The exam consists of questions regarding compliance requirements of government laws, regulations, rules, and guidelines. Whether you take the exam online or in person, you must complete the CPCO exam within four hours and answer 70% of the questions correctly to pass.