AAPC - Advancing the Business of Healthcare

Certified Gastroenterology Coder (CGIC) certification

Exam
Want to schedule exam?
  • Choose to take the exam online at home with a live remote proctor or at a testing center

  • Purchase an exam voucher to view available dates and times

Starting $299

Training
Need exam prep training?
  • Take our online self-paced instruction course

  • Everything you need to prepare for the CGIC exam

Starting at $660

Experienced gastroenterology coders are encouraged to sit for the CGIC exam. CGIC certification demonstrates proficiency applying correct ICD-10-CM, CPT®, HCPCS Level II, and modifier assignment when reporting gastroenterology services and procedures. The CGIC certification shows expert aptitude for coding procedures performed by gastroenterologists, such as colonoscopies, esophageal dilations, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), etc.  

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.   

CGICs demonstrate expertise in:

  • Ability to read and abstract physician office notes and operative notes to apply correct ICD-10-CM codes, CPT® codes, HCPCS Level II codes, and modifiers  

  • Understanding of evaluation and management (E/M) guidelines for new and established office and outpatient services, as well as other E/M services such as consultations and hospital services 

  • Knowledge of rules and regulations for Medicare billing — including incident to, teaching situations, shared visits, consultations, and global surgery 

  • Coding of surgical procedures performed by gastroenterologists such as gastric or duodenal intubation, enteroscopy, mediastinotomy, hernia repair, etc. 

  • Medical terminology 

  • Anatomy and physiology 

Exam format

100 multiple-choice questions

Two ways to take the exam

Choose to take the exam online at home with a live remote proctor, or on a computer at a testing center. Learn more about your exam options and how to prepare.

Time allowed

Exams are administered in one sitting, with four hours to complete the exam.

Equipment required for exam

Our live remote proctored exam requires a closed room free from distraction with window coverings, a reliable, high-speed internet connection, a computer, and an external webcam that can be positioned to show your face, hands, keyboard, and the area around the keyboard (about 10 inches).

Exams taken at a testing center do not require any special equipment from the test-taker.

Experience requirements

A high-level knowledge of gastroenterology-related medical terminology, anatomy, and pathophysiology, along with understanding of the proper application of CPT® procedure codes, HCPCS Level II procedure and supply codes, and ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes.

Not ready yet? We recommend taking our CGIC exam preparation course.

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.

Maintaining your certification

To maintain your CGIC 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 gastroenterology specific. 

Pricing

Choose to purchase one exam attempt for $299 or two exam 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

  • Michelle Edel testimonial

    Testimonial

    I was a retail manager for 20 years. I took my test in September and got a job offer in October.

    Michelle Edel

  • Nilayana Sterling testimonial

    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

  • Stacey White testimonial

    Testimonial

    If you plan to take an AAPC exam, take the AAPC course.

    Stacey White

  • Lamontica Alexander

    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 CGIC exam

The CGIC 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. 

Whether you take the exam online or in-person, you must complete the CGIC exam within four hours and answer 70% of the questions correctly to pass. 

Need help preparing for an exam?