Taking the CPPM® exam
The CPPM exam is a test of practice management proficiency consisting of 135 multiple-choice questions that assess several areas of knowledge. The questions require high-level knowledge of the various types of insurance plans; healthcare business processes, workflow, and reform; fraud, abuse, and corporate compliance; quality initiatives and healthcare; medical office accounting, physician reimbursement, and revenue cycle management; human resource management; marketing and business relationships; HIPAA and data security; and health information technology, electronic health records, and health information exchange.
Who should take the CPPM exam?
After you’ve trained with AAPC to become a practice manager — or if you have substantial physician practice management experience — you should take the opportunity to gain certification by registering for the CPPM exam.
What to expect on exam day
The exam has a total of 135 questions to be answered in four hours. People often wonder if the CPPM exam is hard. We'll say this: If you have taken the training course, studied, and are familiar with physician practice management topics, 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. This is your opportunity to demonstrate your physician practice management expertise.
You'll have four hours to finish the exam, giving you approximately 1.7 minutes to answer each of the 135 multiple-choice questions. You can save time by reading the answer choices before reading each question and 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, many of which are presented as scenarios to test application of knowledge about various types of insurance plans; healthcare business processes, workflow, and reform; fraud, abuse, and corporate compliance; quality initiatives and healthcare; medical office accounting, physician reimbursement, and revenue cycle management; human resource management; marketing and business relationships; HIPAA and data security; and health information technology, electronic health records, and health information exchange.
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: 135 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: 135 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.
48 hours to fifteen (15) days prior to exam: a $25 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 95 questions correct. If you incorrectly answer more than 41 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 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.
Materials allowed on the day of the exam
Approved code books
No physical references are allowed. All necessary materials are available within the exam.
Calculator
An online calculator is provided in the electronic testing platform. Physical calculators are not permitted.
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 135-question CPPM exam
Passing the CPPM exam requires you to correctly answer a minimum of 95 questions from the domains below. The CPPM test will rely on a level of understanding that enables you to identify the domain.
Healthcare business processes (11 questions)
These questions will assess your knowledge of types of healthcare providers, medical practice staff, patient visit process, leadership, management, effective communication, and efficiencies.
Healthcare reform (3 questions)
These questions will address the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), provision of healthcare reform, HITECH Act, and accountable care organizations.
Compliance (17 questions)
This section will test your knowledge of fraud and abuse; the federal False Claims Act; corporate integrity agreements; compliance plans; malpractice; Stark law; anti-kickback; CLIA; EMTALA; OSHA; and risk management.
Quality in healthcare (3 questions)
This section will address quality improvement; benchmarking; and Plan, Do, Check, Act.
Medical office accounting (17 questions)
This section will test your knowledge of analysis of financial reports accounting methods, budgeting, purchasing, chart of accounts, and accounts payable.
Physician reimbursement (14 questions)
In this section of the exam, you will be tested on general principles of E/M coding and documentation (you will not be required to code on the exam), general principles of billing, types of reimbursement, payment policies, denials, and code set principles.
Healthcare revenue cycle management (17 questions)
These questions will assess your knowledge of revenue cycle management (RCM), analysis of RCM reports, accounts receivable, collections, denials management, and bad debt management.
Human resources (10 questions)
In this section of the exam, you will be tested on hiring and termination processes; compensation and benefits; labor laws; employee performance evaluation; and provider credentialing.
Marketing and business relationships (7 questions)
Here, you will be tested on strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis; brand development; patient surveys; marketing materials; relationships with hospitals; and purchasing and negotiation skills.
Space planning and operational flows (7 questions)
These questions will address workflow, scheduling, office triage, and medical office design.
HIPAA (10 questions)
In this section of the exam, you will be tested on covered entities, HIPAA privacy, and business associates.
Electronic medical record (7 questions)
This section will address EMR selection, EMR implementation, meaningful use, and the HITECH Act.
Healthcare information exchange (2 questions)
These questions will assess your knowledge of electronic data interoperability and health information organization.
Modern health IT (5 questions)
Here, you will be tested on ePrescribing, telemedicine, patient monitoring devices, and clinical decision support.
Disaster planning (5 questions)
In this section of the exam, you will be tested on disaster recovery planning; precautionary measures; and policies and procedures for disaster recovery.