Certified Professional Coder-Payer (CPC-P^®)

The CPC-P Exam

• 150 multiple choice questions (proctored)
• 5 hours and 40 minutes to finish the exam
• One free retake
• $350 ($290 AAPC Students)
• Open code book (manuals)

The CPC-P^® exam tests coding accuracy and reimbursement methodologies. The CPC-P^® tests the examinee understands of medical terminology, anatomy and CPT^®, HCPCS Level II and ICD-10-CM coding concepts. The reimbursement methodologies sections test physician reimbursement, inpatient payment systems, outpatient payment systems, health insurance concepts and HIPAA.

The CPC-P^® exam thoroughly covers:

Approved Manuals for Use During Examination

• CPT^® Books (AMA standard or professional edition ONLY). No other publisher is allowed.
• Your choice of ICD-10-CM (Exams will test ICD-10 effective January 1, 2016).
• Your choice of HCPCS Level II.

Note:

Electronic devices with an on/off switch (cell phones, smart phones, tablets, etc.) are not allowed into the examination room. Failure to comply with this policy may result in disqualification of your exam.

Any officially published errata for these manuals may also be used. No other manuals are allowed. Each code set is updated annually; it is essential that examinees use the current calendar year's coding manuals when taking the certification exam. Questions on the CPC, CPC-P and COC tests do not require the use of any other outside material.

Individuals with a solid understanding of coding fundamentals, anatomy and terminology should be able to answer each examination question through application of the CPT^®, ICD-10-CM or HCPCS Level II manuals or through careful reasoning.

Approved Exam Manuals

Non-Approved Manuals for Use During Examination

Due to the advantages of additional information and/or ease of use, the following books 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-10-CM Easy Coder

Medical Coding Certification Requirements

• We recommend having an associate’s degree.
• Pay examination fee at the time of application submission.
• Maintain current membership with the AAPC.
  • New members must submit membership payment with examination application.
  • Renewing members must have a current membership at the time of submission and when exam results are released.
• All exams will be reported with exact scores and areas of study (65% or less).

A CPC-P must have at least two years medical coding experience (member's with an apprentice designation are not required to have two years medical coding experience.) Membership is required to be renewed annually and 36 Continuing Education Units (CEU's) must be submitted every two years for verification and authentication of expertise.

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.

Due to the level of expertise required of medical coders, AAPC expects certified coders to be able to perform not only in an exam setting but also in the real world. In addition to passing the certification exam, coders will also be required to demonstrate on-the-job coding experience. Those who pass the CPC, COC (formerly CPC-H) and/or CPC-P exams but have not yet met this requirement will be designated as an Apprentice (CPC-A, CPC-H-A and/or CPC-P-A) on their certificate.

CPC-A, COC-A (formerly CPC-H-A), or CPC-P-A Status: Members with an Apprentice designation are still required to submit annual CEUs while completing the coding job requirement.

Requirements for Removal of Apprentice Designation:

To remove your apprentice designation via on-the-job experience, you must obtain and submit two letters of recommendation verifying at least two years of on-the-job experience (externships accepted) using the CPT^®, ICD-10-CM, or HCPCS Level II code sets. One letter must be on letterhead from your employer*, the other may be from a co-worker. Experience includes time coding for a previous employer and prior to certification. Both letters are required to be signed and will need to outline your coding experience and amount of time in that capacity. Download our Apprentice Removal Template for easier submission. Letterhead and signatures are still required when using this template.

OR

Submit proof showing completion of at least 80 contact hours of a coding preparation course (not CEUs) AND one letter, on letterhead, signed from your employer verifying one year of on-the-job experience (externships accepted) using the CPT®, ICD-10-CM, or HCPCS Level II code sets.

Send proof of education in the form of a letter from an instructor on school letterhead stating you have completed 80 or more contact hours, a certificate/diploma stating at least 80 contact hours, or an unofficial school transcript.

Proof of education or experience isn’t necessary to sit for the exam. It should only be submitted (via fax or as a scanned attachment to an email) once ALL apprentice removal requirements have been met.

Please allow 2-4 weeks for processing.

* Employers can only verify time spent coding with their organization. Proof of experience letters may be from previous employers, current employers, or a combination of both.

AAPC
2233 S Presidents Dr.
Salt Lake City, UT  84120

Phone: 800-626-2633
Fax: 801-236-2258
Email: apprenticeremovals@aapc.com