CPC Certified Professional Coder Exam Overview
Key Takeaways
The CPC exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions with a 4-hour (240-minute) time limit.
A passing score is 70% (70 out of 100 correct answers).
The exam is open-codebook: you may bring your own CPT, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II manuals.
The CPC exam costs $425 for one attempt or $499 for two attempts.
The first-time pass rate is approximately 50-60%, making thorough preparation essential.
Testing is available in-person at AAPC-approved testing sites or via online proctoring.
The CPC credential is the most widely recognized outpatient/physician-office coding certification in the United States.
No mandatory waiting period exists between retake attempts, but you must pay the full exam fee each time.
The Certified Professional Coder (CPC) credential, awarded by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), is the most widely recognized medical coding certification in the United States. The CPC exam validates a coder's ability to accurately assign CPT, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II codes for outpatient (physician-office) services.
Exam Details at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Certifying Body | AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders) |
| Format | 100 multiple-choice questions |
| Time Limit | 4 hours (240 minutes) |
| Passing Score | 70% (70/100 correct) |
| Exam Fee | $425 for one attempt or $499 for two attempts |
| Codebook Policy | Open-codebook (bring your own CPT, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II manuals) |
| Testing Options | In-person (AAPC-approved sites) or online proctored |
| First-Time Pass Rate | ~50-60% |
| Retake Fee | A new attempt ($425), unless you bought the $499 two-attempt option |
| Retake Wait Period | No mandatory waiting period |
| Question Types | Single-best-answer multiple choice (4 options) |
Open-Codebook Format
The CPC exam is an open-codebook exam, which means you are allowed and expected to bring your own code manuals to the testing session. This is a major advantage, but only if you know how to navigate your books efficiently.
What You May Use:
- AMA CPT Professional Edition
- ICD-10-CM code book (any publisher)
- HCPCS Level II code book (any publisher)
AAPC recommends current-year books but allows books from the current year, the preceding year, or a combination, one copy of each. You can use print books or the eBooks provided in the exam platform.
Codebook Rules (print books):
- Handwritten notes are allowed if they relate to daily coding activities; long passages on blank pages are not
- Tabs may be inserted, taped, pasted, glued, or stapled if they only mark pages with words or numbers
- Notes or questions from study guides, practice exams, or the exam itself are prohibited
- Altering, whiting out, painting, or printing over pages to add information is prohibited
- eBook users get a clean shared library, so personal notes and tabs are not available
Time Management
With 100 questions and 240 minutes, you have an average of 2 minutes and 24 seconds per question. However, not all questions require equal time:
- Coding scenario questions (requiring code lookup): 3-4 minutes each
- Knowledge-based questions (no lookup needed): 1-2 minutes each
- Complex multi-step questions: up to 5 minutes
Strategy: Answer knowledge-based questions first, mark coding-heavy questions for review, and use remaining time for the most complex lookups.
Scoring
- Each question is worth 1 point (no partial credit, no penalty for guessing)
- You need 70 correct answers out of 100 to pass
- Results are available within 7-10 business days after testing
- If you fail, your score report identifies areas of weakness by content domain
What is the passing score required on the CPC exam?
60% (60/100)
70% (70/100)
80% (80/100)
75% (75/100)
How long do candidates have to complete the CPC exam?
2 hours (120 minutes)
3 hours (180 minutes)
4 hours (240 minutes)
5 hours (300 minutes)
Which of the following is TRUE about the CPC exam codebook policy?
No reference materials are allowed during the exam
Only electronic codebooks on approved tablets are permitted
Candidates may bring their own CPT, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II manuals
AAPC provides codebooks at the testing center
A single CPC exam attempt costs $___.
Type your answer below
What is the approximate first-time pass rate for the CPC exam?
30-40%
50-60%
70-80%
85-90%
Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.