Taking the CPMA® exam
All of the questions in the CPMA exam are multiple choice format, covering auditing theory, legal and regulatory issues, NCCI, RAC audits, statistical sampling, coding concepts, and modifiers, etc. In addition, each test taker will need to audit approximately 18 cases.
Who should take the CPMA exam?
After you’ve trained with AAPC to become a medical auditor — or if you have substantial medical coding and auditing experience — you should register for the CPMA exam.
Passing the CPMA exam elevates your earning potential. As this certification requires expertise in multiple payment systems, the CPMA is one of the highest paying certifications. If you're thinking about becoming a certified professional medical auditor, you can learn more about CPMA salaries in your area with our salary calculator.
What to expect on exam day
The CPMA exam is open book with 100 multiple-choice questions (proctored) to be completed in four hours. Whether you take the exam online or in person, you must complete the exam within four hours and answer 70% of the questions correctly to pass.
If you have taken the training course, studied, and are familiar with using the required 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 your code books by your side and you know how to use them. This is your opportunity to demonstrate your expertise.
You'll have 4 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 possible answers 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, covering medical record standards and documentation guidelines, coding and documentation compliance, coding and reimbursement concepts, audit scope and statistical sampling methods, medical record audit abstraction, quality assurance, risk analysis, and communication.
A minimum of two years of coding experience is strongly suggested prior to taking this exam.
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 ICD-10-CM and HCPCS Level II code books. If taking the exam in person, you can also use your choice of E/M audit worksheets. To be clear, these are the only references you are allowed to use.
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.
Approved code 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.
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.
Breakdown of the 100-question CPMA exam
A majority of the questions are in multiple choice format covering auditing theory, legal and regulatory issues, NCCI, RAC audits, statistical sampling, coding concepts, and modifiers, etc. In addition, each test taker will need to audit approximately 18 cases. The exam covers the following domains:
Medical record standards and documentation guidelines (17 questions)
The medical record
HIPAA privacy and release of medical record information
Covered entities
HIPAA privacy regulations
JCAHO documentation standards
Record retention
The advance beneficiary notification
Legal requirements of the medical record
Analyzing the operative report
Coding and documentation compliance guidelines (21 questions)
The compliance plan
Fraud and abuse
Civil Monetary Penalties Law
Federal False Claims Act
Stark Law
Types of audits
OIG regulations and Work Plan
National Correct Coding Initiative
CMS guidelines for E/M documentation
OIG imposed CIA (Corporate Integrity Agreements)
Recovery audits and other government programs
Coding and reimbursement concepts (13 questions)
CPT® coding concepts
Modifier usage
Diagnosis coding and medical necessity
Evaluation and management documentation guidelines
Coding guidelines versus payer guidelines
Scope and statistical sampling methodologies (7 questions)
Audit scope
Statistical sampling
Communication of results and findings (6 questions)
Validation of audit results
Analysis and report of audit findings
Communicating audit results
Corrective action
Medical record auditing abstraction (18 cases, totaling 36 questions)
Evaluation and management
Surgery
Physical therapy
Radiology
Psychiatry
Hematology/oncology
Infusion services