AAPC

CPC

Certified Professional Coder

The most widely held medical coding credential in the US, certifying proficiency in assigning CPT, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II codes for physician and outpatient services. The standard hiring requirement for professional-fee coding roles.

$4254 hours

What's on the exam

CPC Exam Content (CPT/ICD-10-CM/HCPCS Level II, current edition)

Surgery and Anatomy by Body System

~36%

Integumentary system (10000 series) · Musculoskeletal system (20000 series) · Respiratory, cardiovascular, lymphatic (30000 series) · Digestive system (40000 series) · Urinary, genital, maternity (50000 series) · Endocrine, nervous, eye/ear (60000 series)

Evaluation and Management

~10%

Office and outpatient visits · Hospital and observation services · Consultations · Emergency department · Critical care · 2021+ E/M guideline changes

Anesthesia

~8%

Anesthesia code structure · Physical status modifiers · Qualifying circumstances · Time-based units · Base unit values

Radiology

~8%

Diagnostic radiology · Diagnostic ultrasound · Radiologic guidance · Nuclear medicine · Professional vs technical components

Pathology and Laboratory

~8%

Organ and disease-oriented panels · Chemistry · Hematology · Microbiology · Molecular pathology

Medicine and Modifiers

~10%

Medicine section services · Immunizations and injections · Dialysis · Modifier application · HCPCS Level II codes

ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Coding

~12%

ICD-10-CM conventions and guidelines · Code selection and sequencing · Combination and manifestation codes · Signs and symptoms · External cause codes

Coding Guidelines, Compliance, and Practice Management

~8%

Medical terminology and anatomy · NCCI edits · Compliance and HIPAA · Bundling and unbundling · Place of service

Frequently asked questions

How much does the CPC cost?

The CPC costs $425. Single-attempt exam fee; plus required AAPC annual membership dues.

How long is the CPC and how many questions does it have?

100 multiple-choice questions — 4 hours.

What do you need to pass the CPC?

70% overall.

Can you retake the CPC?

One free retake included with the two-attempt purchase option.

What is the best way to study for the CPC?

Study the official blueprint, not random material: the exam is weighted by domain (Surgery and Anatomy by Body System ~36%, Evaluation and Management ~10%, Anesthesia ~8%, Radiology ~8%, Pathology and Laboratory ~8%, Medicine and Modifiers ~10%, ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Coding ~12%, Coding Guidelines, Compliance, and Practice Management ~8%). Spaced-repetition flashcards built domain-by-domain against that blueprint are the most time-efficient way to cover everything the exam tests.

Program in development

We're building a blueprint-complete program for this exam. Meanwhile, explore live programs across 11 exam.

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