Taking the CIRCC® exam
Start your CIRCC exam with confidence.Know what to expect and avoid on exam day so you can focus on performing your best.
Who should take the CIRCC exam?
If you have at least two years of experience in the healthcare field and have a solid foundation of knowledge in medical terminology, anatomy, and pathophysiology, take advantage of the opportunity to showcase your expertise with the CIRCC certification. Earning this credential can boost your earning potential and set you apart from uncertified candidates.
To ensure you're prepared to pass the exam the first time, we 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 CIRCC exam is hard. We’ll say this: If you have studied and are familiar with your CPT® 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 interventional radiology cardiovascular 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 and HCPCS Level II procedure and supply codes.
Most questions on the CIRCC exam are presented in a case report format. Diagnostic angiography, non-vascular interventions, and percutaneous vascular interventions account for approximately 25 percent of the exam. Diagnostic cardiac catheterization and basic coronary arterial interventions make up 10 percent of the exam. Test sections on basic coding, anatomy, and terminology account for less than 10 percent of the test.
You will be able to reference approved medical code books during the exam — the AMA's CPT® Professional Edition, as well as your choice of HCPCS Level II code book. You can also use your choice of anatomical charts or pictures of the vascular tree to assist in catheter selection (labeled with catheter selectivity). To be clear, these are the only code books you are allowed to use.
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.
Approved code books
AMA's CPT® Professional Edition (current year)
HCPCS Level II (current year), any publisher
Anatomical Charts or pictures of the vascular tree
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.
You have the option of using printed books or eBooks while taking your certification exam.
Calculator
An online calculator is provided in the electronic testing platform. Physical calculators are not permitted.
Book notes
Print books allow for 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.
eBooks are provided through the exam platform to ensure a consistent and fair testing environment for all participants. You will have access to a search function to help locate the information you need.
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.
Pricing
Choose to purchase one exam attempt for $425 or two exam attempts for $450.
Ways you can take the exam
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 CIRCC exam
Passing the CIRCC exam requires you to correctly answer a minimum of 70 questions specifically related to interventional radiology cardiovascular coding.
CIRCC exam
100 multiple choice questions (proctored)
4 hours to finish the exam
Open code book
$450 for 2 exam attempts
The exam will measure proficiency in the correct application of specialty-related CPT® codes, HCPCS Level II codes, modifiers, and healthcare regulations.
Requirements
A current AAPC membership.
A current email and valid address on AAPC account.
A 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.