Taking the CCP-KSA exam
Start your CCP-KSA exam with confidence.Know what to expect and avoid on exam day so you can focus on performing your best.
The CCP-KSA exam will test your ability to translate services and diagnoses using the correct application of ICD-10-AM diagnosis codes, ACHI (Australian classification of Health Interventions), compliance, medical record documentation, medical terminology, anatomy, and case studies involving outpatient and admitted care encounters.
Who should take the CCP-KSA exam?
You should take the opportunity to gain certification by registering for the CCP-KSA exam if you have already completed the CCP-KSA training course (or a comparable course in medical coding), or you're an experienced medical coder, medical auditor, medical biller, RCM specialist, or CDI specialist.
What to expect on exam day
The exam has a total of 40 multiple-choice questions and 9 case studies. People often wonder if the CCP-KSA exam is hard. We'll say this: If you have taken the training course, studied, and are familiar with your code books, the test will be demanding, but not difficult.
Here's a quick overview of what you can expect:
Before you begin the test, take a moment and breathe. You have prepared for this. This is your opportunity to demonstrate your coding expertise.
You’ll have four hours to complete the exam. You can save time by reading the answer choices before reading each question and by saving the more difficult questions for last. It’s important to answer every question, even if you aren’t sure. Your best guess is better than no answer at all.
Remote exam details
Our exam is a 4-hour live, remote-proctored examination completed in one sitting.
You must take the exam remotely from home with a live remote proctor monitoring you.
Must have external webcam
Test remotely with a live, remote proctor monitoring you
Pick a day and time that works for you — 24/7
Save on travel time and costs
Must have a working computer, high-speed internet connection, an external webcam with a 6-foot cord, microphone, and speakers that meet specific requirements
Technology issues may need to be resolved by you
Only available in the U.S., U.S. Territories, Bahamas, and Jamaica
Equipment required: You will need access to a computer and reliable high-speed internet. The computer will need to include a downloaded version of the TurboCoder code lookup tool and an external camera.
Location: At home in a quiet, private location
Exam format: 40 multiple-choice questions and 9 case studies, delivered in one sitting
Time allowed: 4 hours
Cancellation fee: No fee charged if cancelled 24 hours in advance
Reschedule fee: No fee charged if rescheduled 24 hours in advance
No show fee: If you do not show up to your scheduled exam OR you do not meet the requirements to take the exam, your exam voucher will be cancelled, and you will need to purchase a new voucher in order to take the exam.
Availability: Schedule now
Passing grades
An overall score of 70% or higher is required to pass the certification exam. For a passing score of 70%, you must get at least 70 questions correct. If you incorrectly answer more than 30 questions, you will not pass. If you don’t pass, you will be notified of the categories/areas of study with sub-scores of 65% or less to help you prepare for retesting.
All AAPC certification exams exclusively measure proficiencies relating to the one credential named in the exam. To earn additional medical coding credentials, you will be required to pass additional certification exams.
Your results will be shared with you online in your My AAPC Account Dashboard under My Exams. You can expect the results within 7-10 business days after taking the exam. Once you have passed, your certificate will be sent to you in the mail.
Note: AAPC training is recommended but not required to take the certification exam. Candidates may prepare through self-study or other methods of their choice.
Breakdown of the CCP-KSA exam
During the CCP-KSA exam, you will need to correctly identify the domains below:
Compliance (5 questions)
Medical record and health record documentation (5 questions)
Medical terminology, anatomy, and pathophysiology (5 questions)
Diagnostic coding (10 questions)
Procedural coding (15 questions)
Inpatient cases (5 cases; 5-15 codes per case)
Outpatient cases (4 cases; 2-5 codes per case)