Free CIC Exam Prep
Certified Inpatient Coder
Pass your CIC exam without spending hundreds on expensive prep courses. Free study guides, practice questions, flashcards, and related exam resources.
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CIC AAPC Certifications License: Complete Roadmap
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Medical Terminology, Anatomy & DocumentationYou are here
Master body systems, medical terminology, pathophysiology, and health record documentation standards that form the foundation for accurate inpatient coding.
ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Coding
Learn ICD-10-CM conventions, official coding guidelines, chapter-specific rules, and sequencing for inpatient encounters. Focus on principal diagnosis selection.
ICD-10-PCS Procedure Coding
Master the 7-character ICD-10-PCS structure, root operations, body parts, approaches, devices, and qualifiers. Practice building codes from operative reports.
Payment Methodologies, Compliance & Regulations
Study MS-DRG/APR-DRG assignment, reimbursement rules, CMS regulations, OIG compliance guidance, and fraud and abuse laws.
Practice Exams & Coding Cases
Complete full-length timed practice exams and coding cases. Focus on abstracting diagnoses and procedures from inpatient records under time pressure.
Can You Take the CIC Exam?
Check if you meet the basic eligibility requirements
- •AAPC membership required (included with exam purchase or $190/year separately)
- •Recommended: completion of AAPC CIC preparation course or equivalent training
- •Recommended: at least 2 years of inpatient coding experience
- •Open-book exam — ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, and other code manuals allowed
- •Valid government-issued photo ID required
CIC Quick Facts
Time to Get Licensed
8-16 weeks typical
From start to license in hand
Retake Policy
Must wait at least 90 days before retaking. Must purchase a new exam attempt unless you purchased the 2-attempt bundle.
Total Cost Breakdown
Free CIC Prep That Actually Works
The official pass rate is ~60%. Our students do better.
100+ Practice Questions
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AI Tutor Explains Mistakes
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Updated for 2026
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What You'll Study
6 chapters covering everything you need to pass
CIC Exam Details
Certified Inpatient Coder
Administered by AAPC
Exam Content Breakdown
Based on the official AAPC content outline
10 inpatient coding cases requiring ICD-10-CM diagnosis and ICD-10-PCS procedure code assignment from clinical documentation
MS-DRG and APR-DRG assignment, grouper logic, relative weights, payment calculations, and transfer rules
Health record components, documentation standards, query processes, and electronic health records
ICD-10-CM/PCS coding guidelines, conventions, and code assignment for inpatient encounters
CMS regulations, payer-specific rules, medical necessity, and coverage determinations
OIG compliance program guidance, fraud and abuse laws, coding audits, and ethical coding practices
Body systems, anatomical terms, disease processes, and pharmacology relevant to inpatient coding
APC system, outpatient prospective payment, and comparison with inpatient payment systems
What's Included
6 Chapters
Complete exam coverage
Practice Quizzes
With detailed explanations
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What's Next After the CIC?
After passing the CIC, you can pursue these career paths
CIC Exam FAQ
Official AAPC Resources
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