Are you interested in entering the world of medical coding!? If yes, then the CPC Exam (Certified Professional Coder Exam) is something that should be on your wish list. It is a great opportunity for those wanting to show they’re experts in assigning codes to medical instruments. The CPC exam is administered by the American Academy of Professional Coders. AAPC is a detailed test that checks your knowledge and skills in medical coding. It covers the latest rules and tech updates in the healthcare world.
Interesting Fact
AAPC has more than 220,000 members in 39 countries and has access to industry training experts all around the globe.
The CPC exam is more than just an entrance exam. It’s a chance to boost your career and get recognized as a pro coder in the medical sector. Qualifying for the exam proves you know your stuff when it comes to coding medical procedures and diagnoses. Since the healthcare field is always changing, keeping up with the latest coding rules is super important. Attempting the CPC Exam 2024 is a way for coding experts to show they’re committed to always learning and getting outstanding at their jobs.
Topics covered
What is the CPC Entrance Exam?
The CPC exam stands for the certified professional coders exam in the healthcare sector. The CPC exam is administered by the American Academy of Professional Coders. AAPC is the biggest group in the US that provides education and certifications for various healthcare roles like medical coders, billers, auditors, practice managers, documentation specialists, compliance officers, and revenue cycle managers. Everyone in AAPC agrees to follow their Code of Ethics, which ensures that they act professionally, with integrity, and in an ethical manner.
Overview of the CPC Exam
Having an overview of the exam makes you well aware of the exam beforehand. This will not only develop the necessary exam skills but also help you make the strategies regarding the exam. The overview of the CPC exam is mentioned in the table below.
| Name of the Exam | CPC Exam |
| Full Form of the Exam | Certified Professional Coder Exam |
| Administered By | American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) |
| Mode of the Exam | Online |
| Total Questions | 100 Questions |
| Questions Type | Multiple-Choice Questions |
| Duration of the Exam | 4 Hours |
| Passing Marks | 70% |
| Official Website | https://www.aapc.com/certifications/cpc |
Upcoming CPC Exam Dates 2024
Any official information regarding the CPC exam dates 2024 has not been released yet. Any changes/updates in the 2024 exam dates will be announced through the blog. However, based on past trends, the expected dates for the CPC exam 2024 are as follows:
| 2024 Months | Expected Dates |
| January | 3, 17 |
| February | 7, 21 |
| March | 6, 20 |
| April | 3, 17 |
| May | 1, 15 |
| June | 5, 19 |
| July | 3, 17 |
| August | 7, 21 |
| September | 4, 18 |
| October | 2, 16 |
| November | 6, 20 |
| December | 4, 18 |
Check Your Eligibility for the CPC Exam
There are some of the prerequisites regarding the CPC exam. To be eligible to take the CPC exam, you need to meet one of the following criteria:
- Have two years of full-time coding experience using specific code sets.
- Have one year of full-time coding experience with additional coding training hours.
- Complete the CPC-A Practicode online program, which includes three modules with 200 cases each.
Note: If you don’t meet these requirements, you can still take the CPC exam. If you pass, you’ll be given the CPC-A designation (CPC Apprentice). After gaining two years of coding experience, you can request to remove the “A” from your CPC designation.
Exam Pattern and Syllabus for the CPC Entrance Exam
The CPC (Certified Proficient Coder) exam consists of 100 questions, and to pass, you need to correctly answer a minimum of 70 questions. The exam is divided into various domains to assess your knowledge and proficiency in different areas of medical coding.
The following table consists of the sections and the number of questions asked for each question. This will help you have an overview of the exam syllabus and pattern.
| Domain | Number of Questions | Description |
| Medical Terminology | 4 | Evaluate understanding of medical terms across all body systems. |
| Anatomy | 4 | Assess knowledge of anatomy for all systems in the human body. |
| Compliance and Regulatory | 3 | Test knowledge of regulations related to Medicare, coding for payment policy, fraud and abuse, etc. |
| Coding Guidelines | 7 | Address ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines, CPT® coding guidelines, parenthetical notes, and modifier use. |
| ICD-10-CM | 5 | Test proficiency in diagnosis coding within all chapters of ICD-10-CM. |
| HCPCS Level II | 3 | Assess knowledge of HCPCS Level II coding, including modifiers, supplies, medications, and professional services. |
| CPT – 10000 series codes | 6 | Evaluate surgical procedures on the integumentary system. |
| CPT – 20000 series codes | 6 | Focus on surgical procedures on the musculoskeletal system. |
| CPT – 30000 series codes | 6 | Concentrate on surgical procedures on the respiratory, cardiovascular, and other specified systems. |
| CPT – 40000 series codes | 6 | Cover surgical procedures on the digestive system. |
| CPT – 50000 series codes | 6 | Assess surgical procedures on the urinary, reproductive, and endocrine systems. |
| CPT – 60000 series codes | 6 | Involve surgical procedures on the nervous system. |
| Radiology Codes | 6 | Focus on diagnostic and interventional radiology. |
| Pathology and Laboratory Codes | 6 | Test knowledge of organ and disease panels, drug testing, therapeutic drug assays, and various pathology procedures. |
| Medicine | 6 | Cover specialty-specific coding scenarios and various therapeutic and diagnostic procedures. |
| E/M (Evaluation and Management) | 6 | Assess coding proficiency related to different services, settings, and scenarios. |
| Anesthesia | 4 | Test knowledge related to time reporting, qualifying circumstances, and modifiers for anesthesia services. |
| Cases (10 cases) | 1 each | Evaluate the ability to accurately code medical record documentation using CPT®, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II codes. |
CPC Exam Cutoff
The CPC exam requires candidates to answer 100 questions, with a passing cutoff set at a minimum of 70 correct answers. The questions cover diverse domains such as medical terminology, anatomy, compliance and regulatory knowledge, coding guidelines, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, and specific CPT series codes for various medical procedures.
Moreover, candidates are assessed on radiology, pathology, medicine, E/M (Evaluation and Management), anesthesia, and practical coding cases. Achieving the specified cutoff demonstrates proficiency in medical coding across these critical areas, qualifying candidates for the Certified Proficient Coder designation.
CPC Entrance Exam Registration Process
Registering for the CPC exam is an easy process. In order to register for the CPC entrance exam, you must follow certain steps:
- Check if you qualify based on coding experience or completing coding courses.
- Make an account on the AAPC website.
- Pick a date and location for the exam.
- Provide necessary documents, like proof of coding experience.
- Pay the exam fee online.
- Get a confirmation email and an admission ticket.
- Study with AAPC materials.
- Attend the exam at the chosen center with your ticket and ID.
- After the exam, get your results to see if you passed.
Following these steps helps you register and prepare for the CPC entrance exam. Need some more help? Visit Study Abroad Consultants in Delhi for expert career guidance!
CPC Exam Preparation Tips
Commencing the journey to become a Certified Professional Coder requires careful preparation and a strategic approach. The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) offers valuable resources to aid in your CPC exam preparation, ensuring you’re well-equipped for success.
Here are some of the smart preparation tips, suggested by the AAPC itself, to help you ace your exam:
- Begin CPC exam preparation by mastering essential medical knowledge through AAPC’s Fundamentals of Medicine course.
- If needed, enroll in AAPC’s CPC Certification Preparation Course led by expert instructors for a thorough education in medical coding.
- Assess readiness with AAPC’s practice exams, mirroring the real test to familiarize yourself with the format and time constraints.
- Identify strengths and weaknesses through practice exams to focus your study efforts effectively.
- Utilize the official CPC Study Guide, a comprehensive resource covering anatomy, terminology, and exam content, along with valuable test-taking tips.
- Consider AAPC’s one-day online exam review for a final reinforcement of key concepts, test-taking strategies, and addressing commonly missed questions.
- Take advantage of career counseling services for personalized guidance beyond exam preparation.
By following these pointers, you’ll be well-prepared to confidently tackle the CPC exam and earn your certification. Since the CPC is an online exam, we have a detailed guide on How to Prepare for Online Exams that will help you boost your preparation.
CPC Exam Guides and Books
The Official CPC Certification Study Guide from AAPC is designed to help you get ready for the CPC exam. It has twenty chapters that thoroughly review anatomy, medical terms, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, and CPT coding, along with how to use modifiers correctly.
Their experts guide you through key concepts and show you how to use the right codes for each part of the body, E/M coding, anesthesia, radiology, and pathology/laboratory. The study guide covers all the topics you’ll face in the CPC exam, and it even gives you useful tips for taking the test. It’s a helpful resource to make sure you’re well-prepared for the certification exam.
Link for the guide: https://www.aapc.com/shop/study-guides/cpc-study-guide.aspx
Here are some of the more CPC guides/books listed for your reference:
- CPC Practice Exam by APEX Test papers
- CPC Exam Study Guide – Latest Edition by Trivium Medical Certification
- ICD-10-CM Expert for Physicians by Optum360
- CPT Professional Edition by American Medical Association
- Anatomy and Physiology for Coders by AAPC
Before selecting study materials, ensure they align with the latest coding guidelines and updates. Moreover, consider practicing with sample exams to assess your readiness for the CPC exam.
That’s It for Now!
The CPC Exam is an important entrance test for those aiming to excel in medical coding. Administered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), this challenging exam requires a good understanding of anatomy, medical terms, and coding rules. To get ready for it, you can use helpful resources like AAPC’s Official CPC Certification Study Guide and other recommended books.
Qualifying the CPC exam not only shows that you can accurately assign codes but also proves your commitment to high standards in healthcare. Getting the CPC certification opens up opportunities for a successful career, making this exam an important step for anyone wanting to stand out and progress in the medical coding field.
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Useful Exams
FAQs
The CPC (Certified Professional Coder) exam is a certification test conducted by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) to assess individuals’ proficiency in medical coding, including CPT, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II code sets.
Eligibility for the CPC exam includes individuals with two years of coding experience or one year of coding experience with additional coding training. Alternatively, completion of the CPC-A Practicode program is also accepted.
The CPC exam is challenging due to its comprehensive coverage of medical coding topics. Success requires a solid understanding of coding guidelines, anatomy, and terminology. Adequate preparation through study materials and practice exams is crucial.
After passing the CPC exam, individuals can pursue various opportunities in medical coding, billing, auditing, and compliance roles. The CPC certification enhances career prospects, opens doors to job advancements, and demonstrates expertise in the healthcare coding field.