Certified General Surgery Coder (CGSC)™ certification
Experienced general surgery coders are encouraged to sit for the CGSC exam. CGSC certification represents expert ability to read and dissect operative notes and apply correct ICD-10-CM, CPT®, HCPCS Level II, and modifier coding assignment when reporting general surgery procedures, such as hernia repairs, breast procedures, transplants, 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.
CGSCs 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 general surgeons such as gastric bypass, breast biopsy, ambulatory phlebectomy, skin graft, cholecystectomy, pancreatic resection, 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 general surgery-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 CGSC 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
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 CGSC 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 general surgery 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
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
Testimonial
It's worth it I swear. Invest into it and it will reward you!
Joe Delgado
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
I took the online AAPC course. It was full of useful information and I passed my test the first time.
Danielle Ledford
About the CGSC exam
The CGSC 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 CGSC exam within four hours and answer 70% of the questions correctly to pass.