100+ Free CPCD Practice Questions

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When the dermatologist serves as the Mohs surgeon AND performs an immediate complex repair following the final Mohs stage, how is the repair reported?

Bundled into Mohs codes - cannot bill separately

Reported only with simple repair codes

Reported as an adjacent tissue transfer always

Reported separately with the appropriate complex repair code (and modifier 59 if needed)

to track

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Key Facts: CPCD Exam

150

Total Items

AAPC

5h 40m

Exam Time

AAPC

$299

AAPC Member Fee

AAPC

2019

Biopsy Code Revision

11102-11107 replaced 11100/11101

The AAPC CPCD consists of 150 MCQ items over 5h40m with 70% passing. Fee $299 AAPC member. Master 2019 biopsy code revision (11102-11107 — 11100/11101 deleted), Mohs surgery 17311-17315, lesion excision by EXCISED diameter (lesion + 2× margin), and skin repair complexity rules.

Sample CPCD Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CPCD exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which layer of the epidermis contains keratinocytes that are actively dividing and is the deepest epidermal layer?

A.Stratum corneum

B.Stratum granulosum

C.Stratum basale

D.Stratum spinosum

Explanation: The stratum basale (basal layer) is the deepest layer of the epidermis where keratinocytes are actively dividing through mitosis. New cells produced here migrate upward toward the surface, eventually becoming the keratinized cells of the stratum corneum.

2Which cells in the epidermis are responsible for producing melanin pigment?

A.Langerhans cells

B.Melanocytes

C.Merkel cells

D.Keratinocytes

Explanation: Melanocytes, located primarily in the stratum basale, produce melanin pigment that gives skin its color and protects against UV radiation. They transfer melanosomes to surrounding keratinocytes.

3The dermis is divided into which two anatomical regions?

A.Superficial and deep

B.Papillary and reticular

C.Cortex and medulla

D.Stratum and matrix

Explanation: The dermis consists of the papillary dermis (superficial, loose connective tissue with capillaries and nerve endings) and the reticular dermis (deeper, dense irregular connective tissue with collagen and elastin).

4Which of the following is the correct ICD-10-CM code for actinic keratosis?

A.L57.0

B.L82.0

C.D23.9

D.L98.9

Explanation: Actinic keratosis is reported with L57.0. It falls under L57 (Skin changes due to chronic exposure to nonionizing radiation) which is appropriate because actinic keratosis is caused by long-term sun exposure.

5A patient presents with a 0.4 cm benign nevus of the back. The physician performs a punch biopsy. Which CPT code is reported?

A.11102

B.11104

C.11106

D.11100

Explanation: Code 11104 is reported for a punch biopsy of a single lesion. The 2019 CPT revision restructured biopsy codes by technique: 11102 tangential, 11104 punch, 11106 incisional. Code 11100 was deleted in this revision.

6When coding excision of a benign lesion, what determines the EXCISED diameter for code selection?

A.The lesion diameter only

B.The lesion diameter plus the narrowest margins required, multiplied by 2

C.The pathology specimen size after fixation

D.The widest margin only

Explanation: Per CPT guidelines, the excised diameter equals the greatest clinical diameter of the lesion plus that margin required for complete excision (lesion diameter + 2 x narrowest margin). Measurement must be done before excision and fixation.

7A dermatologist destroys the FIRST premalignant lesion (actinic keratosis) using cryotherapy. Which CPT code is reported?

A.17000

B.17110

C.17003

D.17004

Explanation: CPT 17000 is reported for the destruction of the first premalignant lesion (e.g., actinic keratosis) by any method. 17003 is reported for each additional lesion (2-14), and 17004 covers 15 or more lesions.

8A Mohs surgeon performs first-stage Mohs surgery on a basal cell carcinoma of the nose with 3 tissue blocks. Which CPT code is reported?

A.17311

B.17313

C.17312

D.17315

Explanation: CPT 17311 is reported for first-stage Mohs surgery on the head, neck, hands, feet, or genitalia, including up to 5 tissue blocks. The nose qualifies as the head/face, so 17311 is correct.

9What is the ICD-10-CM code category for malignant melanoma of skin?

A.C43

B.C44

C.D03

D.L57

Explanation: C43 is the ICD-10-CM category for malignant melanoma of skin, with extensions specifying the anatomic site (e.g., C43.31 for nose, C43.5 for trunk).

10Simple repair is included in which excision code?

A.Only malignant excision codes

B.Only benign excision codes

C.Both benign and malignant excision codes

D.Neither - simple repair is always reported separately

Explanation: Per CPT guidelines, simple repair (12001-12018) is included in the excision codes for both benign (11400-11471) and malignant (11600-11646) lesions. Only intermediate or complex repairs are reported separately in addition to excision.

About the CPCD Exam

AAPC specialty credential for dermatology coders. Validates expertise in dermatology anatomy and diagnoses, lesion biopsy CPT (2019 revision: 11102-11107), lesion destruction (17000-17286), lesion excision by location and excised diameter (11400-11646), Mohs micrographic surgery (17311-17315), skin repair (simple/intermediate/complex by location and length), and dermatology-specific bundling.

Questions

150 scored questions

Time Limit

5 hours 40 minutes

Passing Score

70%

Exam Fee

$299 AAPC member (AAPC)

CPCD Exam Content Outline

15%

Dermatology Anatomy and Diseases

Skin layers, common diagnoses (AK, BCC, SCC, melanoma, psoriasis, atopic, acne)

30%

CPT Dermatologic Procedures

Lesion biopsy 11102-11107 (2019 revision), destruction 17000-17286, excision 11400-11646, Mohs 17311-17315

15%

CPT Skin Repair

Simple 12001-12018, intermediate 12031-12057, complex 13100-13153, adjacent tissue 14000-14302

15%

ICD-10-CM Dermatology Codes

L codes psoriasis/dermatitis, C44.x malignant skin, D22.x nevi, L57.0 actinic keratosis

10%

Modifiers and Bundling

25 (E/M same day), 51 multiple, 59 distinct, 76 repeat

15%

Compliance and Payer Rules

Medical necessity for cosmetic procedures, photo documentation, Mohs case logs

How to Pass the CPCD Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 70%
Exam length: 150 questions
Time limit: 5 hours 40 minutes
Exam fee: $299 AAPC member

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CPCD Study Tips from Top Performers

1Memorize 2019 biopsy revision: 11102/11103 tangential; 11104/11105 punch; 11106/11107 incisional. Use the technique-specific code; report add-on for each addt'l biopsy at the same encounter

2Master Mohs micrographic codes: 17311-17312 (head/neck/hands/feet/genitalia, first stage + each addt'l); 17313-17314 (trunk/arms/legs); 17315 each addt'l block over 5

3Know skin repair complexity: simple = single layer + included with excision; intermediate = layered with deep subcutaneous; complex = extensive undermining/retention sutures

4Understand AK destruction: 17000 first AK; 17003 each addt'l 2-14 AKs; 17004 for 15+ AKs (replaces use of 17003 series)

Frequently Asked Questions

What changed in dermatology biopsy codes in 2019?

The 2019 CPT revision deleted 11100 (single biopsy) and 11101 (each addt'l) and replaced them with technique-specific codes: 11102 tangential biopsy + 11103 each addt'l; 11104 punch biopsy + 11105 each addt'l; 11106 incisional biopsy + 11107 each addt'l. Each method has its own primary + add-on code.

How is excised diameter calculated for lesion excision?

Excised diameter = lesion diameter + (2 × narrowest margin). For example, a 1.0 cm lesion with 0.4 cm margins has an excised diameter of 1.0 + 0.8 = 1.8 cm. Excision codes (11400-11646) are based on EXCISED diameter, not the original lesion size. Code by location (trunk vs face vs scalp) and benign vs malignant.

When can simple repair be billed separately with excision?

Simple repair (12001-12018) is INCLUDED in the lesion excision code — do NOT bill separately. INTERMEDIATE (layered) and COMPLEX repair MAY be billed separately (with modifier 51) when documentation supports the complexity. Adjacent tissue transfer (14000-14302) includes excision of the lesion that occasions the flap — do not bill the excision separately.