CPC Exam is Now Available to Take Online
AAPC recognizes the challenges that COVID-19 presents for our CPC exam candidates, which is why we are also offering the opportunity to take your CPC exam online.
Our New CPC Online exam will consist of two parts that will be given in Blackboard in two separate sessions and proctored by Examity®. You will schedule each part of the exam separately through the Examity® platform, which is accessible through Blackboard after purchase or transfer of the current exam voucher. Exam scheduling instructions will be emailed to you as soon as the CPC online exam voucher has been applied to your AAPC member account
On the day of each exam session, you will connect with your proctor through Examity (accessible through Blackboard) to complete the authentication and take your exam. Your results will be posted within 3-5 business days from the date on which your final exam session is complete.
Click here to watch a comprehensive video detailing online exam requirements, processes, and tips to maneuver through the test.
|
Online Proctored |
Physical Location Proctored |
| Equipment required |
Reliable Internet connection and an external webcam that can be positioned to show your face, hands, keyboard and the area around the keyboard (about 10 inches) |
None |
| Location |
Taken at home in a quiet, private location |
Local chapter or Licensed Instructor |
| Exam format |
100 multiple-choice questions delivered in two parts taken at different scheduled times |
100 multiple choice questions taken in its entirety |
| Time allowed |
Two parts: 2 hours each |
4 hours |
| Proctor to Examinee ratio |
1 to 2 |
1 to 25 |
| Cancellation fee |
No fee charged if cancelled 24 hours in advance |
Must be canceled 21 days prior exam date, service charge of $100. |
| Reschedule fee |
No fee charged if rescheduled 24 hours in advance |
Must be canceled 21 days prior exam date, service charge of $100. |
| No show fee |
$30 fee for each occurrence that must be paid prior to rescheduling |
$100 |
| Availability |
Now |
Find in person exam. Seats are limited. Best option for 2022 testing is online. |
Medical coding accuracy is key to optimal, ethical reimbursement, which makes medical coders integral to the financial resources of every healthcare organization providing treatment and services to patients. For more than three decades, CPCs have established an unwavering reputation of excellence. The title of Certified Professional Coder therefore comes with high expectations, trust, and respect.
The CPC Exam Breakdown
Passing the CPC exam requires you to correctly answer a minimum of 70 questions from the series below. The exam questions, however, will not be identified or sorted by the series to which they pertain. The CPC test will rely on a level of understanding that enables you to identify the series.
10,000 Series CPT®
The 10,000 Series CPT® part of the exam will consists of six questions related to surgical procedures performed on the integumentary system, which includes skin, subcutaneous, and accessory structures, as well as nails, pilonidal cysts, repairs, destruction, and breast.
20,000 Series CPT®
The six questions in the 20000 Series CPT® will home in on surgical procedures performed on the musculoskeletal system from head to toe. Specifically, these areas include the head, neck, back and flank, spine, abdomen, shoulder, arm, hand and fingers, pelvis and hip, leg, foot and toes.
30,000 Series CPT®
Six questions covering the 30000 Series CPT® focus on surgical procedures performed on the respiratory system, surgical procedures performed on the cardiovascular system, surgical procedures performed on the hemic and lymphatic systems, and surgical procedures performed on the mediastinum and diaphragm.
40,000 Series CPT®
Your knowledge of the 40000 Series CPT® will be tested with six questions targeting surgical procedures performed on the digestive system, which will focus on these areas: lips, mouth, palate and uvula, salivary gland and ducts, pharynx, adenoids, and tonsils, esophagus, stomach, intestines, appendix, rectum, anus, liver, biliary tract, pancreas, abdomen, peritoneum, and omentum.
50,000 Series CPT®
The CPC exam will assess your knowledge of the 50000 Series CPT®with six questions pertaining to surgical procedures performed on the urinary system, surgical procedures performed on the male reproductive system, surgical procedures performed on the female reproductive system, including maternity and delivery, and surgical procedures performed on the endocrine system.
60,000 Series CPT®
Six questions directed at the 60000 Series® involve surgical procedures performed on the nervous system and will include codes pertaining to the skull, meninges, brain, spine, spinal cord, extracranial nerves, peripheral nerves, autonomic nervous system.
Evaluation and Management
Six E/M questions will assess your coding proficiency related to place and level of services, such as office/other outpatient, hospital observation, hospital inpatient, consultations, emergency department, critical care, nursing facility, domiciliary and rest homes, and home services. It will also include questions directed at preventive medicine, non-face-to-face services, neonatal and pediatric critical care, intensive care, prolonged services, chronic care, transitional care, case management, and care plan oversight.
Anesthesia
Four questions related to anesthesia will pertain to time reporting, qualifying circumstances, physical status modifiers, anesthesia for surgical, diagnostic and obstetric services.
Radiology
The six questions in this section of the CPC test will focus on both diagnostic and interventional radiology, including diagnostic ultrasound, radiologic guidance, mammography, bone and joint studies, radiation oncology, and nuclear medicine.
Laboratory / Pathology
Six path/lab questions will determine your knowledge of organ and disease panels, drug testing, therapeutic drug assays, evocation/suppression testing, consultations, urinalysis, molecular pathology, MAAA, chemistry, hematology and coagulation, immunology, transfusions, microbiology, anatomic pathology, cytopathology, cytogenetic studies, surgical pathology, in vivo and reproductive.
Medicine
Six questions will cover numerous specialty-specific coding scenarios, as well as immunizations, biofeedback, dialysis, central nervous system assessments, health and behavior assessments, hydration, medical nutrition, therapeutic and diagnostic administration, chemotherapy administration, photodynamic therapy, osteopathic manipulative treatment, patient education and training, non-face-to-face nonphysician services, and moderate sedation.
Medical Terminology
Medical terminology for all systems in the human body will be assessed in four questions.
Anatomy
Anatomy for all systems in the human body will be assessed in four questions.
ICD-10-CM/Diagnosis
Five questions will require proficiency in diagnosis for all the chapters included in ICD-10-CM, as well as thorough knowledge of the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting. Additionally, diagnosis questions will appear in other sections of the exam from the CPT® categories.
HCPCS Level II
Three questions on the CPC exam will pertain to HCPCS Level II coding and include questions focusing on modifiers, supplies, medications, and professional services for Medicare patients.
Coding Guidelines
This section of the CPC test will involve seven questions addressing the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, CPT® coding guidelines and parenthetical notes, and modifier use.
Compliance and Regulatory
Three questions testing your knowledge of compliance and regulations will pertain to services covered under Medicare Parts A, B, C and D; applying coding to payment policy, place of service reporting, fraud and abuse, NCCI edits, NCD/LCD, HIPAA, ABNs, and RVUs.
(Note: New Section) Cases
Ten cases with one multiple choice question per case will test your ability to accurately code medical record documentation using CPT®, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II. The cases will cover 10000 series, 20000 series, 30000 series, 40000 series, 50000 series, 60000 series, medicine, anesthesia, radiology, pathology and laboratory, and evaluation and management services. Medical terminology, anatomy, compliance, and regulatory information may also be tested in the cases.