Certified Evaluation and Management Coder (CEMC)® certification
Experienced evaluation and management (E/M) coders are encouraged to sit for the CEMC exam. CEMC certification demonstrates proficiency applying correct ICD-10-CM, CPT®, HCPCS Level II, and modifier assignment when reporting evaluation and management services. The CEMC certification validates command of E/M medical decision making (MDM) and time guidelines, which pertain to multiple specialties.
An additional certification like this is a smart career move. Year after year, our salary surveys show that the more credentials you have, the higher your salary potential.
The CEMC certification exam will test:
Understanding of E/M guidelines for new and established office and outpatient services, as well as other E/M services such as consultations and hospital services
Ability to determine E/M level of service based on MDM and time
Knowledge of rules and regulations for Medicare billing — including incident to, teaching situations, shared visits, consultations, and global surgery
Coding per National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI), ICD-10-CM, CPT®, and modifier rules
Risk assessment, including (but not limited to) the ability to benchmark and identity problematic situations and missed billing opportunities
Medical terminology
Anatomy and physiology
Exam format
100 multiple-choice questions
Online or in-person options
AAPC offers online and in-person proctored exams. Choose to take the exam at home in a quiet, private location or through your local chapter or a licensed instructor. Learn more about the online proctored exam and how to prepare for the current exam.
Time allowed
In-person and online exams are administered in one sitting, with four hours to complete the exam.
Equipment required for online exam
A 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) are required.
Experience requirements
A high-level knowledge of evaluation and management-related medical terminology, anatomy, and pathophysiology, along with understanding of the proper application of CPT® procedure and service codes, HCPCS Level II procedure and supply codes, and ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes.
Not ready yet? We recommend taking our CEMC exam preparation course.
Approved coding books
AMA's CPT® Professional Edition (current year)
ICD-10-CM (current year), any publisher
HCPCS Level II (current year), any publisher
We highly recommend you also bring:
E/M audit worksheet of your choice
You may also bring one additional book/reference of your choice, if you choose.
Maintaining your certification
To maintain your CEMC credential, you must maintain your AAPC annual membership. You must also earn 36 continuing education units (CEUs) every two years, 8 of which must be E/M specific.
Pricing
One exam attempt for $299 or two attempts for $399. Of note:
80% of AAPC students pass on the first attempt.
Students who train with AAPC are three times more likely to pass the certification exam.
What students are saying
Testimonial
I was a retail manager for 20 years. I took my test in September and got a job offer in October.
Michelle Edel
Testimonial
As a stay at home mom and homeschooling two kids, it was a challenge; but if I can do, so can you all.
Nilayana Sterling
Testimonial
If you plan to take an AAPC exam, take the AAPC course.
Stacey White
Testimonial
It hasn't even been a year since I passed my exam and I've had 3 remote job offers, with no experience.
Lamontica Alexander
About the CEMC Exam
The CEMC exam contains 100 multiple-choice questions (proctored). The exam consists of questions regarding the correct application of specialty-specific CPT® procedure codes, HCPCS Level II supply codes, ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes, modifiers, and healthcare regulations.
During the test, you will reference approved code books — the AMA's CPT® Professional Edition, as well as your choice of ICD-10-CM and HCPCS Level II code books.
Whether you take the exam online or in-person, you must complete the CEMC exam within four hours and answer 70% of the questions correctly to pass.