Taking the CPC^® exam

The CPC exam is a test of medical coding proficiency consisting of 100 multiple-choice questions that assess 17 areas of knowledge. Most questions present a coding scenario to test proper application of CPT^® procedure codes, HCPCS Level II procedure and supply codes, and ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. Medical providers use all of these to submit claims to payers.

You must complete the CPC exam within four hours and answer 70% of the questions correctly to pass.

Who should take the CPC exam?

After you’ve trained with AAPC to become a medical coder — or if you have substantial medical coding experience — you should take the opportunity to gain certification by registering for the CPC exam.

Passing the CPC exam can elevate your earning potential by more than $25,000 above annual salaries for persons without AAPC's medical coding certification.

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 CPC exam is hard. We'll say this: If you have taken the training course, studied, and are familiar with your CPT^®, ICD-10-CM, 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 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 17 areas of knowledge, most of which are presented as coding scenarios to test application of CPT^® procedure codes, HCPCS Level II procedure and supply codes, and ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. The end of the exam has 10 cases that test the ability to read and accurately code a medical record.

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. To be clear, these are the only code books you are allowed to use.

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 CPC exam

Passing the CPC exam requires you to correctly answer a minimum of 70 questions from the domains below. The CPC test will rely on a level of understanding that enables you to identify the domain.

Medical terminology (4 questions)
These questions will assess your knowledge of medical terminology for all systems in the human body.

Anatomy (4 questions)
These questions will assess your knowledge of anatomy for all systems in the human body.

Compliance and regulatory (3 questions)
This section will test your knowledge of compliance and regulations which pertain to services covered under Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D; applying coding to payment policy; place of service reporting; fraud and abuse; NCCI edits; NCDs/LCDs; HIPAA; ABNs; and RVUs.

Coding guidelines (7 questions)
This section will address the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, CPT® coding guidelines and parenthetical notes, and modifier use.

ICD-10-CM (5 questions)
This area will test your proficiency in diagnosis coding within all the chapters of ICD-10-CM, as well as thorough knowledge of the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting. Additionally, diagnosis questions will appear in other sections of the exam from the CPT® categories.

HCPCS Level II (3 questions)
This section will test your knowledge on HCPCS Level II coding and includes questions focusing on modifiers, supplies, medications, and professional services for Medicare patients.

CPT^®

10000 series codes (6 questions)
The 10,000 series CPT® part of the exam relates to surgical procedures performed on the integumentary system, which includes skin, subcutaneous, and accessory structures, as well as nails, pilonidal cysts, repairs, destruction, and breast.

20000 series codes (6 questions)
The 20000 series CPT® portion will home in on surgical procedures performed on the musculoskeletal system from head to toe. Specifically, these areas include the head, neck, back and flank, spine, abdomen, shoulder, arm, hand and fingers, pelvis and hip, leg, foot, and toes.

30000 series codes (6 questions)
The 30000 series CPT® section focuses on surgical procedures performed on the respiratory system, the cardiovascular system, the hemic and lymphatic systems, and the mediastinum and diaphragm.

40000 series codes (6 questions)
Your knowledge of the 40000 series CPT® section covers surgical procedures performed on the digestive system, which will focus on these areas: lips, mouth, palate and uvula, salivary gland and ducts, pharynx, adenoids, and tonsils, esophagus, stomach, intestines, appendix, rectum, anus, liver, biliary tract, pancreas, abdomen, peritoneum, and omentum.

50000 series codes (6 questions)
The 50000 series CPT® section tests your knowledge pertaining to surgical procedures performed on the urinary system, the male reproductive system, the female reproductive system, including maternity and delivery, and the endocrine system.

60000 series codes (6 questions)
The 60000 series CPT® section involves surgical procedures performed on the nervous system and will include codes pertaining to the skull, meninges, brain, spine, spinal cord, extracranial nerves, peripheral nerves, autonomic nervous system.

Radiology codes (6 questions)
These questions will focus on both diagnostic and interventional radiology, including diagnostic ultrasound, radiologic guidance, mammography, bone and joint studies, radiation oncology, and nuclear medicine.

Pathology and laboratory codes (6 questions)
This section will test your knowledge of organ and disease panels, drug testing, therapeutic drug assays, evocation/suppression testing, consultations, urinalysis, molecular pathology, MAAA, chemistry, hematology and coagulation, immunology, transfusions, microbiology, anatomic pathology, cytopathology, cytogenetic studies, surgical pathology, in vivo and reproductive.

Medicine (6 questions)
This will cover numerous specialty-specific coding scenarios, as well as immunizations, biofeedback, dialysis, central nervous system assessments, health and behavior assessments, hydration, medical nutrition, therapeutic and diagnostic administration, chemotherapy administration, photodynamic therapy, osteopathic manipulative treatment, patient education and training, non-face-to-face nonphysician services, and moderate sedation.

E/M (6 questions)
This area will assess your coding proficiency related to place and level of services, such as office/other outpatient, hospital observation, hospital inpatient, consultations, emergency department, critical care, nursing facility, domiciliary and rest homes, and home services. It will also include questions directed at preventive medicine, non-face-to-face services, neonatal and pediatric critical care, intensive care, prolonged services, chronic care, transitional care, case management, and care plan oversight.

Anesthesia (4 questions)
The questions related to anesthesia will pertain to time reporting, qualifying circumstances, physical status modifiers, anesthesia for surgical, diagnostic and obstetric services.

Cases (10 cases, 1 question each)
Each case will test your ability to accurately code medical record documentation using CPT®, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II codes.