By Qamar S, 15 years in US medical billing · Last reviewed September 25, 2026
Practice for free: follow our 8-week CPC exam prep pathway with topic quizzes and a 50-question timed CPC practice test.
The CPC (Certified Professional Coder) exam from AAPC has 100 multiple-choice questions, a 4-hour time limit and a 70% passing score. It’s open book: you can use the current year’s CPT Professional Edition, ICD-10-CM and HCPCS Level II code books. As of April 2026, the exam costs $425 for one attempt or $499 for two attempts, and you must also be an AAPC member.
At a glance: 100 questions · 4 hours (about 2.4 minutes per question) · 70% to pass · open book (CPT, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II) · online with a live remote proctor or in person at a test center · results in about 7 to 10 business days.
CPC exam facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Questions | 100 multiple choice |
| Time | 4 hours |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Allowed books | AMA CPT Professional Edition, ICD-10-CM and HCPCS Level II (current year) |
| Format | Online with a live remote proctor, or in person at a testing center |
| Cost | $425 (one attempt) or $499 (two attempts), as of April 2026 |
| Membership | Required: $299 per year individual or $164 per year student |
| Results | About 7 to 10 business days, in your AAPC account |
Prices and rules change. Always confirm on AAPC’s official CPC exam page before you register.
What the CPC exam covers
The exam tests whether you can code real outpatient and physician services correctly. Expect questions across:
- CPT sections: evaluation and management (E/M), anesthesia, surgery by body system, radiology, pathology and laboratory, and medicine
- ICD-10-CM diagnosis coding and its official guidelines
- HCPCS Level II codes and modifiers
- Coding concepts: medical terminology, anatomy, compliance and payment policies
Many questions give you a short case (like an operative note) and ask for the right code set. Knowing where to look in your books is as important as memorizing.
The CPC-A (apprentice) designation
If you pass without enough work experience, you earn the CPC-A credential. You can remove the “A” with either:
- Two years of medical coding experience, or
- One year of experience plus AAPC’s Practicode program (per Penn Foster)
Some employers hire CPC-A coders for entry roles. Others prefer the full CPC, so it’s worth planning how you’ll gain experience.
From 15 years in billing: the best coders I’ve worked with treat their code books like a tool, not a textbook. Tab your CPT book by section, write short notes next to guidelines you keep forgetting, and highlight common modifiers. On a 4-hour open-book exam, how fast you can find things decides whether you finish.
An 8-week study plan
| Week | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 | Medical terminology, anatomy and how the code books are organized. Tab your books |
| 2 | ICD-10-CM guidelines and diagnosis coding practice |
| 3 | E/M coding and modifiers |
| 4 | Surgery: integumentary, musculoskeletal and respiratory |
| 5 | Surgery: cardiovascular, digestive, urinary and the rest |
| 6 | Anesthesia, radiology, pathology/lab and medicine |
| 7 | HCPCS Level II, compliance and a full timed practice exam |
| 8 | Review weak areas, a second timed practice exam, rest before test day |
Test-day tips
- Pace yourself. Aim for about 25 questions per hour. Skip long cases and come back
- Use elimination. Cross out answers with the wrong code range or a mismatched modifier
- Read the guidelines at the start of each CPT section. Many answers hide there
- Answer every question. A blank answer is always wrong
- Check your tabs and notes are allowed. Handwritten notes in the books must follow AAPC’s rules
Is the CPC right for you?
CPC is the most widely recognized credential for physician and outpatient coding. If you want to work in hospital inpatient coding, compare it with options like the CCS. For billing-focused roles, the CPB may fit better. See our certifications compared guide and our guide to remote medical billing jobs.
Have a study question? Ask other learners in the Medical Billing Careers community.
Frequently asked questions
Is the CPC exam hard?
Many people find it challenging, mainly because of time pressure. With a solid study plan and timed practice exams, it’s very passable. The 70% passing score means you can miss up to 30 questions.
Can I take the CPC exam online?
Yes. AAPC offers the exam online with a live remote proctor, or in person at a testing center.
Do I need a degree or course to sit for the CPC?
No degree is required. A training course is strongly recommended, and AAPC membership is required to take the exam.
What happens if I fail?
If you bought the two-attempt option, you can retake the exam once at no extra cost. Use your score report to focus on your weakest sections.
Sources
- AAPC: Taking the CPC exam
- Penn Foster: Everything you need to know about the CPC exam
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Medical Records Specialists
This guide is educational and is not legal, financial or insurance advice. See our Disclaimer.