Certified Professional Biller (CPB)® certification
The Certified Professional Biller (CPB) credential demonstrates skills related to maintaining all aspects of the revenue cycle, particularly patient and payer billing and collections. Without expertise in medical billing and the nuances of payer requirements, healthcare provider reimbursement may be compromised.
Through rigorous examination and experience, CPBs have proven knowledge of how to submit claims compliant with government regulations and private payer policies. They follow up on claim statuses, resolve claim denials, submit appeals, post payments and adjustments, and manage collections. The CPB medical billing credential is vital to the financial success of the professional healthcare services claims process.
Exam format
135 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 medical terminology, anatomy, and pathophysiology, along with understanding of the proper application of payer policies; compliance rules; healthcare regulations; CPT® procedure codes, HCPCS Level II procedure and supply codes, and ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes.
If you don’t have billing experience or working knowledge of these subjects, we offer recommended prerequisite courses to prepare you for the CPB certification training course.
Approved code books
AMA's CPT® Professional Edition (current year)
ICD-10-CM (current year), any publisher
HCPCS Level II (current year), any publisher
Note: Code sets are updated annually, so it’s essential to use the current calendar year's code books when taking the CPB certification exam.
Any officially published updates (errata) for the above code books may also be used.
Maintaining your certification
To maintain your credential, you must maintain your AAPC annual membership, and earn 36 continuing education units (CEUs) every two years.
Pricing
One attempt for $399 or $499 for two attempts. 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 CPB exam
The CPB exam contains 135 multiple-choice questions. Examinees are given four hours to finish the exam.
Most questions present a scenario to test proper application of billing regulations, collections practices, HIPAA rules, compliance best practices, and procedure/diagnosis codes.
Whether you take the exam online or in person, you must complete the CPB exam within four hours and answer 70% of the questions correctly to pass.