Taking the CEMC® exam

Evaluation and management coding is complicated, and everchanging healthcare policies and regulations in areas such as E/M guidelines, HIPAA, and telemedicine, make successful coding and reimbursement challenging for providers.

To employers, a CEMC certification demonstrates your mastery of evaluation and management coding, including E/M guidelines, medical decision making, time-based coding, modifiers, and more.

A specialty certification like this is a great way to both establish your coding skills and differentiate yourself within this growing field.

Who should take the CEMC exam?

If you’re an experienced E/M coder, you can demonstrate your expertise to employers with a CEMC certification. CEMC certification also elevates your earning potential above that of people without an AAPC certification. With enough experience and expertise, you can skip the essentials. We do, however, recommend getting the study guide and practice exam to help ensure that you pass on the first attempt.

What to expect on exam day

The exam has a total of 100 questions to be answered in four hours. People often wonder if the CEMC exam is hard. We’ll say this: If you have taken the training course, studied, and are familiar with your CPT®, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II 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. You have your code books by your side and know how to use them. This is your opportunity to demonstrate your E/M coding expertise.

You'll have four hours to finish the exam, giving you approximately 2.4 minutes to answer each of the 100 multiple-choice questions. 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.

The questions assess several areas of knowledge, most of which are presented as coding scenarios or cases, to test application of CPT® procedure codes, HCPCS Level II procedure and supply codes, and ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes.

Materials allowed for the CEMC exam

Approved code books

Current year books are highly recommended as code sets are updated annually. You may choose to utilize books from the preceding year, the current year, or a combination of both; however, only one copy of each book is allowed.

Calculator

An online calculator is provided in the electronic testing platform. Physical calculators are not permitted.

Book notes

Handwritten notes are acceptable in the code books only if they pertain to daily coding activities. Long passages of information are not permitted on the blank pages. Questions from the study guides, practice exams, or the exam itself are prohibited. Altering, whiting out, painting, or printing over any pages within the code books (e.g., marketing pages, table of contents, reference pages, etc.) to supplement information is prohibited.

Book tabs

Tabs may be inserted, taped, pasted, glued, or stapled in the code books so long as the obvious intent of the tab is to earmark a page with words or numbers, not supplement information in the book.

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

Live Remote Proctored exam

Our Live Remote Proctored (LRP) exam* is taken on a computer at home and proctored remotely by Examity® via an external webcam. 

After purchasing your exam voucher, you’ll receive a Notice to Schedule email from Meazure Learning. When you are ready to schedule your exam, you may select one of our two electronic testing options (LRP or Testing Center) at the time of registration for a date and time convenient to you. For step-by-step instruction on scheduling your exam as well as guidelines and policies for each exam format, watch our exam video tutorial.

On the day of an LRP exam, you will log into your Meazure Learning account, then connect with your Examity proctor to complete a security check and take your exam. A valid, government-issued photo ID is required. Temporary, copies, paper or digital IDs are not permitted.

*Live Remote Proctored exams are available in the US, Bahamas & Jamaica only.

Equipment required: A reliable high-speed internet connection, a computer, working speakers and microphone, and an external webcam that can be positioned to show your face, hands, keyboard, and the area around the keyboard (about 10 inches).
Location: Taken at home in a closed room with window coverings, free from distraction or interruption.
Exam format: 100 multiple-choice questions delivered in one sitting
Time allowed: 4 hours
Proctor to examinee ratio: 1 to 2
Cancellation and rescheduling policy: 

  • Within 24 hours prior to exam: cancellation and rescheduling is unavailable. If you do not show for your exam time, you will be considered a "no-show." Your exam attempt will be forfeited and a new voucher must be purchased (or a 2nd attempt used, if available) to reschedule.

  • 24 hours or more prior to exam: you may reschedule or cancel with no applicable fee.

Availability: Schedule now

Testing center exam

Our testing center exam is taken on a computer, in-person, at one of Meazure Learning testing sites and is proctored by testing center personnel.

After purchasing your exam voucher, you’ll receive a Notice to Schedule email from Meazure Learning. When you are ready to schedule your exam, you may select one of our two electronic testing options (LRP or Testing Center) at the time of registration for a date and time convenient to you. For step-by-step instruction on scheduling your exam as well as guidelines and policies for each exam format, watch our exam video tutorial.

Plan to arrive at your test center location 15 minutes early. A valid, government-issued photo ID is required. Temporary, copies, paper or digital IDs are not permitted.

Equipment required: All computer equipment required is provided by testing center
Location: Taken at a testing center, often at a college or university
Exam format: 100 multiple-choice questions delivered in one sitting
Time allowed: 4 hours
Proctor to examinee ratio: Testing center personnel may vary
Cancellation and rescheduling policy:

  • Within 48 hours prior to exam: cancellation or rescheduling is unavailable. If you do not show for your exam time, you will be considered a "no-show." Your exam attempt will be forfeited and a new voucher must be purchased (or a 2nd attempt used, if available) to reschedule.

  • Fifteen (15) days to 48 hours prior exam: $25.00 fee applies to cancel or reschedule.

  • Fifteen (15) or more days prior to exam: no fee applies to cancel or reschedule.

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.

Breakdown of the 100-question CEMC exam

Passing the CEMC exam requires you to correctly answer a minimum of 70 questions specifically related to evaluation and management coding.

CEMC exam

  • 100 multiple choice questions (proctored)

  • 4 hours to finish the exam

  • Open code book

  • $399 for 2 attempts

Reviewed by an evaluation and management steering committee: 

  • Dennis P.H. Mihale, MD, MBA, CEMC

  • Kimberly D. Perazzoli, CPC, CPC-I, CEMC, CCP, CHONC

  • Maggie Mac, CPC, CEMC, CMM, CMSCS, CCP, ICCE

  • On W. Lim, MD, MBA, MMM, FACOG, CPC, COBGC, CEMC

  • Stephanie Jones, CPC, CEMC

The exam will measure proficiency in the correct application of ICD-10-CM codes, CPT® codes, HCPCS Level II codes, modifiers, and healthcare regulations.

Requirements

  • Current AAPC membership

  • Current email and valid address on AAPC account

  • Valid, unused electronic exam voucher

  • A valid, government-issued photo ID. First and last name must EXACTLY match your exam confirmation. Temporary, paper, copies, or digital IDs are NOT permitted.

  • We strongly recommend that you have at least two years of experience in the specialty prior to sitting for the certification exam. Please be aware that these are difficult, high-level examinations not intended for individuals with little, limited, or no coding experience.

Maintaining certification

Maintaining your certification(s) will require current AAPC membership and earning continuing education units (CEUs). For CEU requirements, please see our CEU Information page.

Ready to schedule your CEMC exam?