Exam Format, Scoring, Pass Rates, Fees, Retake, Refund, and Delivery

Format and Score

The CCA exam has 105 total questions. Of those, 90 are scored and 15 are pretest questions that do not count toward the score. Candidates have 2 hours.

AHIMA reports certification exam scores on a 100-400 scale. For the CCA, 300 or greater is passing. AHIMA uses standard setting by subject-matter experts, CCHIIM approval, and conversion of passing scores to a scaled score of 300. There is no penalty for guessing.

Published Outcomes and Costs

AHIMA publishes first-time CCA pass rates: 70% in 2023, 67% in 2024, and 62% in 2025. AHIMA also reported 7,753 certified CCA professionals as of 2025-12-31.

The current CCA exam cost is $199 for AHIMA members and $299 for non-members. Retake fees are the same as the exam cost. A failed candidate must submit a new application and fee and must wait at least 30 days before the new application is approved.

CCA testing is delivered in person at Pearson VUE Authorized Test Centers. Pearson VUE identifies OnVUE delivery for CHDA, CHPS, and CDIP, not CCA.

Reschedule, No-Show, and Refund Rules

Rescheduling or canceling is free up to 15 days before the exam date. Between 14 days and 24 hours before the exam, the fee is $30. No-shows forfeit application and registration fees.

An AHIMA exam application refund can be requested up to 14 business days before the scheduled test date or eligibility end date. Pearson cancellation is not the same as an AHIMA refund, and AHIMA lists a $75 nonrefundable processing fee.