Exam Certification FAQs

• Certified Professional Coder
• Certified Outpatient Coder
• Certified Inpatient Coder
• Certified Professional Coder-Payer
  
• Certified Professional Biller
  
• Certified Risk Adjustment Coder
• Certified Professional Medical Auditor
• Certified Professional Compliance Officer
• Certified Physician Practice Manager
• Certified Documentation Expert-Outpatient

Electronic devices with an on off switch (cell phones, smart phones, tablets, etc.) are not permitted in the examination room. Failure to comply with this policy will result in disqualification of your exam. Do not bring them as there is no place to stow them.

Confirm what reference materials are allowed.

Due to the diverse languages spoken in certain countries, AAPC may determine additional policies relating to approved resources. In such instances, we will communicate with examinees through exam confirmation emails prior to each event to ensure that everyone is aware of the local stipulations.

The ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines are allowed in all exams that list the ICD-10-CM as an approved resource. Highlighting, underlining and brief notations needed for day-to-day coding is permitted on the printed side of the pages. Long passages of information are not permitted on the blank pages of the print out.

Manual calculators and highlighters are also allowed for all exams.

Since the code sets for each coding book are updated every year, it’s essential for coders to have the current year’s books/manuals to ensure accurate performance. Reporting wrong codes can lead to denied claim submissions and substantial penalization. It’s clearly very important to get an education on the annual code set updates and to obtain new code books every year.

All AAPC exams are based on the current calendar year’s code sets, so we strongly suggest you use the current year’s books. The previous calendar year’s books may be used on an exam, but you would be at obvious disadvantage doing so. The upcoming year’s books are not allowed for exam use. The exams are updated every January for the new code sets. Examinees using their second attempt in the next calendar year will not be permitted to take the previous year's exam.

Note: Please make sure you are now using ICD-10 CM or ICD-10 PCS when needed.

Handwritten notes are acceptable in the coding books only if they pertain to daily coding activities. Questions from the Study Guides, Practice Exams or the Exam itself are prohibited. Tabs may be inserted, taped, pasted, glued, or stapled in the manuals so long as the obvious intent of the tab is to earmark a page with words or numbers, not supplement information in the book. 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.

No materials (other than tab dividers) may be inserted, taped, pasted, glued, or stapled in the manuals.

• Exam application submitted 3 weeks prior to the exam date
• Exam payment submitted 3 weeks prior to the exam date if payment for exams is not made prior to exam registration deadline you will not be allowed into the exam.
• Current membership with the AAPC

CPMA, CPCO, CPPM, CRC, CIC, CPB and Specialty credentials are stand-alone certifications with norequirement to hold a CPC, COC (formerly CPC-H) or CPC-P credential. Letters of recommendation are not required but these are difficult, high level examinations and are not meant for individuals with little, limited or no coding or relevant professional experience.

• There is no requirement for the amount of experience in the specialty, although two years of experience in the specific fields are highly recommended.

• Specialty Exams - One Attempt $299
• Specialty Exams - Two Attempt $399

Two letters of recommendation verifying 2 years of on the job experience using the CPT, ICD-10-CM, or HCPCS code sets. One letter must be on letterhead from your employer. Both letters are required to be typed and signed and will need to outline your coding experience and amount of time in that capacity.
OR
A minimum 80 hours of coding education and one letter on letterhead from your employer verifying one year of on the job coding experience. Proof of education may be sent in the form of a letter from an instructor on school letterhead stating the amount of contact hours earned, a certificate/diploma stating at least 80 contact hours or a school transcript.

If you have finished the Distance Learning course by AAPC your education hours will be removed automatically, you do not need to submit a certificate.

Note: AAPC’s Practicum allows an individual to meet 1 year of coding experience toward the removal of the apprentice designation.

Student Exam Pricing:

• 1 attempt - $325.00
• 2 attempts - $425.00

Core Exam Pricing (CPC, CIC, CRC, COC, CPMA, CPCO, CPMM, CDEO, CDEI, CPB):

• 1 attempt - $349
• 2 attempts - $449

Specialty Exam Pricing :

• 1 attempt - $299
• 2 attempts - $399

CIRCC Exam Pricing:

• 1 attempt - $400
• 2 attempts - $450

In-Person Exam cancellation Information:

This service is available on our website for your convenience, located under your upcoming events, on the main page. Click on the "Cancel This Exam" link.

US Exams must be canceled 21 days prior to the scheduled exam date, or a service charge of $100 will be assessed.

International Exams will assess a service charge of $150 for all canceled exams

Online Exam Cancellation information:

What is the online exam cancellation and rescheduling policy? A. If you cancel or reschedule your exam date/time prior to 24 hours before the start of your exam, there will be no fee. If you cancel or reschedule within 24 hours or less, Examity will charge a $30 fee for each occurrence. This fee must be paid through Examity to reschedule your exam. Q. What is the no-show policy for online exams? A. If you do not show up to your scheduled exam OR you do not meet the requirements to take the exam, Examity will charge a $30 fee for each occurrence and your exam may not be rescheduled until paid.

In-Person Exam cancellation Information:

This service is available on our website for your convenience, located under your upcoming events, on the main page. Click on the "Cancel This Exam" link.

US Exams must be canceled 21 days prior to the scheduled exam date, or a service charge of $100 will be assessed.

International Exams will assess a service charge of $150 for all canceled exams

Online Exam Cancellation information:

What is the online exam cancellation and rescheduling policy? A. If you cancel or reschedule your exam date/time prior to 24 hours before the start of your exam, there will be no fee. If you cancel or reschedule within 24 hours or less, Examity will charge a $30 fee for each occurrence. This fee must be paid through Examity to reschedule your exam. Q. What is the no-show policy for online exams? A. If you do not show up to your scheduled exam OR you do not meet the requirements to take the exam, Examity will charge a $30 fee for each occurrence and your exam may not be rescheduled until paid.

No, all exam fees are non-refundable / non-transferable. However, you have one full year to take the exam from the date of purchase. There will be no exception to this policy.

Exam results are normally released within 7 to 10 business days after the exam has taken place. Please do not call AAPC for exam result until after the 10 business days.

Due to the grading process of the CIC exam it may take 10-15 business days after the exam has taken place.

In the month of January there may be a longer wait time due to reviews of new content.

June, November, and December may be a longer wait time due to high volume of exams being taken.

Exam results are released online in the My AAPC account, as well as mailed. Results are never given over the phone.

Online practice exams are for individual use only and access is available for one year from purchase date. Due to access of content the online practice exams are non-refundable. Online practice exam access date cannot be extended.

If you are not at the location 30 minutes prior to the exam start time you are considered tardy, late entrances will not be allowed.

You must meet the following requirements to take the exam:

• Have a current AAPC membership
• Purchase an electronic exam voucher, or complete the transfer request for your in-person voucher to electronic
• Your computer must pass the minimum system requirements
• You will be required to use an external webcam that can be placed to show:
  • Your face
  • Your hands
  • Your keyboard
  • The area surrounding your keyboard (about 10 inches)

We've partnered with Examity to proctor our electronic exams.

You may purchase 1 exam voucher or 2 exam vouchers

You will receive the same number of vouchers you currently have available for in-person.

Please fill out the transfer request form here.

If you are scheduled to take your exam in September, you will use the current platform. If your scheduled date is after September 30, we will transfer your voucher to the new electronic system (still a 4 hour test, in one sitting) and you’ll be able to reschedule for the date/time of your choice.

You will only be able to schedule one exam attempt at a time. If you do not pass your first attempt, your second voucher will automatically become available for use and scheduling through Meazure Learning.

Yes! Electronic exams are now offered for all of our credentials. For more information, click here.

The integrity and security of our exams continue to be our focus. With the combination of AI and a very low ratio of 1 proctor per 2 examinees, we have closer monitoring than with live exams.
Important Note! Any member who violates our code of ethics by cheating will lose their credential(s) and will not have the opportunity to sit for any future AAPC exams.

Yes. ADA accommodations are available for electronic examinations. To apply for accommodations please have the member complete the form here. Please allow up to 3 weeks for processing. ADA approval is good for one year from the date of approval.

To see the process in action, watch our training video here.

Once your purchase is complete, the electronic exam voucher will be applied to your AAPC account and you will receive a Notice to Schedule through our partner Meazure Learning (formerly Scantron).

Please refer to the Allowed Materials guide for your exam type here.

Along with the allowed materials, you may also have a drink on your desk. Please note that the room needs to be clear of whiteboard, calendars, and sticky notes with writing. Also, all landline phones, books and miscellaneous items should be placed out of reach.

No, an external monitor is NOT permitted for use during the examination. A laptop only or desktop computer connected directly to the monitor are allowed.

Many low-cost options are available for Webcams with a 1080p resolution and either a tripod or clip so the camera can be placed roughly 6 ft away to show your face, hands and keyboard.

Yes! Your scheduled exam will show in the My AAPC app and the exam tracker will let you know when your exam is in grading and results are available.

If you cancel or reschedule your exam date/time prior to 24 hours before the start of your exam, there will be no fee. You may not reschedule or cancel your testing appointment less than 24 hours in advance.

If you do not show up to your scheduled exam OR you do not meet the requirements to take the exam, your exam voucher will be cancelled, and you will need to purchase a new voucher in order to take the exam.

Yes, the vast majority of our exams are 4 hours, taken in one sitting.

You can flag questions, skip questions or move back and forth between questions and sections. However, once you submit the exam, you will not be allowed to go back into it.

The type of questions you'll see differ depending on the exam but will consist of multiple choice or cases with multiple choice. For a full breakdown of each exam please visit our View All Certifications page and select the certification you are interested in.

You are required to present a valid, government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver's license, passport, state-issued ID card) on exam day or you will be considered a no-show and your exam will be cancelled. Please ensure that your first and last name on the valid, government-issued photo ID EXACTLY match your first and last name as they appear on the scheduling screens. If your first and last names are incorrect, please contact AAPC at 800-626-2633 immediately. If you have more than one last name listed on your government-issued ID, the same last names must be reflected on your confirmation email.

Yes, you can take a short break if needed. Please note that the exam timer will not pause, and you will need to go through a security check and full room scan again after returning from any breaks.

We want to ensure the accuracy and quality of the exam. Exam results will be available within 7-10 business days of completing the exam. Results will show in the member area under MyAAPC>Exams in the exam details.

Yes, areas of study will show in the member area under MyAAPC>Exams in the exam details.