CPC - Certified Professional Coder Practice Test

There are no formal prerequisites to take the CPC exam. However, the AAPC strongly recommends that candidates have an associate's degree and/or at least two years of professional coding experience to be adequately prepared for the exam's difficulty and to fully benefit from the credential. Individuals without experience are encouraged to complete medical coding education and training programs prior to attempting the exam.

The CPC, from the AAPC, is the dominant certification for physician-based, outpatient coding (e.g., clinics, ambulatory surgery). The CCS (Certified Coding Specialist), from AHIMA, has a stronger emphasis on inpatient hospital coding. While there is overlap, the CPC exam focuses intensely on CPT(R) and Evaluation & Management (E/M) coding, which are central to outpatient reimbursement. The choice between credentials often depends on your desired career setting.

Yes. The CPC exam is open book. You are required to bring current, unmodified copies of the CPT(R) Professional Edition, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II code books. The exam tests your ability to efficiently and accurately locate and apply information from these manuals, mirroring real-world coding tasks. Tabbing and highlighting within the manuals are permitted.

The AAPC does not publish an official pass rate, but it is generally accepted that the exam is challenging, with a significant portion of first-time test-takers not passing. The exam is scored on a scale, and a minimum of 70% is required to pass. Results are provided immediately after the exam for in-person tests, indicating a pass/fail status and a performance breakdown by section.

Upon passing, you become a CPC-A (Apprentice). To remove the 'A' designation, you must submit proof of two years of professional coding experience OR one year of experience plus completion of an AAPC-approved coding course. You must also maintain the credential through annual renewal, which requires completing continuing education units (CEUs) and paying a membership fee to stay current with coding changes and guidelines.