Certified Pediatrics Coder (CPEDC™) Credential

The Certified Pediatric Coder exam was developed by a team of leading pediatric coders and in conjunction with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which endorses both the CPEDC™ credential and the CPEDC™ practicum

Those coders with sufficient experience and expertise in pediatric coding are encouraged to sit for the CPEDC™ exam.

The CPEDC™ examinee will be tested on:

  • Ability to read and abstract physician office notes and operative notes to apply correct ICD-9-CM, CPT®, HCPCS Level II and modifier coding assignments
  • Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Evaluation and Management Documentation Guidelines (both the 1995 and 1997 versions)
  • Rules and regulations of Medicare billing including (but not limited to) incident to, teaching situations, shared visits, consultations and global periods
  • Coding of ancillary procedures performed in a pediatric practice such as venipuncture, injections, vaccinations, vision testing, etc.
  • Coding of surgical procedures performed by pediatricians such as lesion excisions, foreign body removal, fracture care, etc.
  • Medical terminology
  • Anatomy and physiology

Locate/Schedule an Exam Prepare for Exam

 

Specialty Exams

  • 150 multiple choice questions (proctored)
  • 5 hours and 40 minutes to finish the exam
  • 1 free retake
  • $245.00
  • Open code book (manuals)

Reviewed by a Pediatric Steering Committee:

  • Jackie Stack, CPC®, CPC-I®, CEMC, CFPC, CIMC, CPEDC
  • Cassandra Endres, CPC®, CEMC, CPEDC
  • Becky Dolan, CPC®, CPEDC
  • Teri Salus, CPC®, CPEDC
  • Dr. Jamie Calabrese, CPC®, CPEDC
  • Rhonda Buckholtz, CPC®, CPC-I®, CENTC, CGSC, COBGC, CPEDC
  • Diana Yates, CPC®, CPC-H®, CPC-I®, CPEDC

Specialty exams aptly measure preparedness for “real-world” coding by being operative/patient-note based. In addition to questions regarding the correct application of ICD-9-CM, CPT®, HCPCS Level II and modifier coding assignments, examinees will also be tested on specialty-specific coding and regulations.

Requirements

  • Must schedule examination four weeks in advance
  • Must have current AAPC membership
  • While there is no requirement, we strongly recommend that the candidate has at least two years of experience in the specialty. Please be aware that these are difficult, high-level examinations not meant for individuals with little, limited or no coding experience

Specialty Exam Preparation
Please be aware that each specialty exam is comprehensive of the facets of its specialty to ensure you are truly a master in your specialized field of coding. It is STRONGLY recommended that you complete the Online Specialty Exam Practicum, which will measure your readiness for the actual exam.

Recognition
Examinees that pass a Specialty certification examination will receive recognition in the Coding Edge within three months of their examination date and will receive a diploma suitable for framing.

Exam Preparation – CPEDC™ Online Practicum or Practice Exam
(Highly Recommended)

The online practicum includes three hours of streaming audio/video webinars that discuss trade-specific issues affecting pediatric coding, and a coding simulation practice exam with 75 coding scenarios linked to actual patient notes (matching the format of the actual certification exam).

  • One-hour online webinar on general E/M coding
  • One-hour online webinar on procedure coding (CPT®)
  • One-hour online webinar on diagnosis coding (ICD-9-CM)
  • Downloadable E/M Audit Tool to help with leveling and approved for use during exam
  • 75-question online practice exam coding case studies from medical documentation (question format mimics those on actual certification exam)

Note: The webinars contained in this practicum are intended to provide foundational coding training. Some webinars may be replicated in other practicums. High-speed Internet access required.

Purchase the Online Practicum or Practice Exam

Practicum (3 webinars + Practice Exam) - $199.95 (Members: $149.95)
Practice Exam Only - $69.95 (Members: $39.95)

Add AAPC Membership - $120
Add the CPEDC™ (Pediatric) Exam - $245

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Specialty practicums and practice exams are for individual use only. Access is available for one year from purchase date.

By purchasing any of these items, you agree to the terms stated within the Refund Policy.

Approved Manuals for Use During Examination

Required References:
  • CPT® Books (AMA standard or professional edition ONLY). No other publisher is allowed
  • Your choice of ICD-9-CM
  • Your choice of HCPCS Level II
Highly Recommended References: Optional References:
  • One reference of your choice

Note:
Any officially published corrections or errata belonging to required references are also permitted. The AAPC uses only the current calendar year codes on all exams. Second attempt exams occurring in the next calendar year will not be permitted to take the previous year’s exam.

Non-Approved Manuals for Use During Examination
Due to the advantages of additional information and/or ease of use, the following references cannot be used during the exam:

  • Current Procedural Coding Expert® - Ingenix
  • Procedural Coding Professional - Contexo
  • Procedural Coding Professional - AAPC
  • Procedural Coding Expert - Contexo
  • Procedural Coding Expert - AAPC
  • CPT® Insider's View - AMA
  • CPT® Plus! - PMIC
  • Coders' Choice CPT® - PMIC
  • ICD-9-CM Easy Coder - Unicor

What are the prerequisites to take the AAPC specialty credential examination?

  • There is no requirement for the amount of experience in the specialty
  • Please be aware that these are difficult, high level examinations and are not meant for individuals with little, limited or no coding experience
  • Our online distance learning practicums are highly recommended
  • Must schedule examination four weeks in advance
  • Must have current AAPC membership

Note:
Each examination is separate and distinct from one another. To obtain all certifications, each examination must be taken separately and passed. Continuing Education Unit (CEU) submissions are required for all certifications. For CEU requirements please see our CEU Information page.