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Exam Information
Official specifications published by AAPC
Exam Format
100
70%
Professional
Registration
$399 USD
Meazure Learning or online proctoring
Validity
Credential is valid indefinitely with active membership and CEU requirements
Maintain annual AAPC membership; Earn 36 CEUs every 2 years
CPC Exam Topics and Domains
CPC is organized into 18 weighted domains. Expect to work with 99202-99205, 99211-99215, 00100-01999, 11400-11646, and more.
1
Evaluation and Management (E/M) Services
18%
Office/Outpatient Visits
New vs. Established Patient DeterminationLevel of Service Selection
- Apply 2021 E/M guidelines for office/outpatient visits
- Determine appropriate level of service based on MDM or time
- Differentiate between new and established patient visits
Hospital Services
Initial Hospital CareSubsequent Hospital Care
- Code initial and subsequent hospital care accurately
- Apply observation vs. inpatient determination criteria
- Select appropriate discharge day management codes
Consultations
Office Consultations
- Understand consultation coding requirements
- Apply Medicare policies for consultations
- Differentiate consultations from new patient visits
Emergency Department Services
ED Visit Levels
- Code emergency department services accurately
- Apply ED-specific level selection criteria
- Understand resource-based ED coding
Critical Care Services
Critical Care Time Calculation
- Calculate and code critical care services correctly
- Identify services bundled into critical care
- Apply critical illness severity criteria
Preventive Medicine Services
Well Visits
- Code preventive medicine services by age category
- Apply modifier 25 for same-day E/M with preventive
- Differentiate preventive from problem-oriented visits
2
Anesthesia Services
4%
Anesthesia Coding Basics
Base Units and Time CalculationAnesthesia Modifiers
- Calculate anesthesia units from base and time
- Apply physical status and provider modifiers
- Determine qualifying circumstances appropriately
3
Integumentary System Surgery
8%
Wound Repair
Repair Complexity Levels
- Classify wound repairs by complexity
- Calculate and sum repair lengths correctly
- Apply repair coding guidelines
Lesion Removal
Excision of LesionsDestruction Procedures
- Code lesion removals with accurate size and site
- Differentiate excision from destruction procedures
- Apply Mohs surgery coding rules
Skin Grafts and Flaps
Skin Grafts
- Code skin grafts by type and size
- Measure graft area correctly
- Apply recipient site determination rules
4
Musculoskeletal System Surgery
10%
Fracture Care
Treatment Types
- Code fracture treatments by type and site
- Apply global fracture care guidelines
- Understand manipulation requirements
Joint Procedures
ArthroscopyJoint Replacement
- Code arthroscopic procedures accurately
- Differentiate joint replacement types
- Apply multiple procedure guidelines
5
Respiratory System Surgery
5%
Endoscopic Procedures
Laryngoscopy and Bronchoscopy
- Code respiratory endoscopy procedures
- Apply multiple endoscopy rule correctly
- Determine diagnostic vs. surgical procedures
6
Cardiovascular System Surgery
7%
Cardiac Procedures
Pacemaker and ICD ServicesCardiac Catheterization
- Code cardiac device procedures accurately
- Apply catheterization coding guidelines
- Understand component vs. system coding
Vascular Procedures
Venous Access
- Code venous access procedures correctly
- Differentiate catheter types
- Apply central line coding rules
7
Digestive System Surgery
8%
Endoscopic Procedures
Upper GI EndoscopyColonoscopy
- Code GI endoscopy procedures accurately
- Apply screening vs. diagnostic guidelines
- Understand colonoscopy completion rules
Abdominal Procedures
Hernia Repairs
- Code hernia repairs by type and status
- Apply age-based selection criteria
- Understand recurrent hernia coding
8
Urinary System Surgery
5%
Cystoscopy Procedures
Diagnostic and Surgical Cystoscopy
- Code cystoscopy procedures with bundling rules
- Understand urodynamic testing components
- Apply lithotripsy coding correctly
9
Male/Female Genital Systems Surgery
6%
Obstetric Services
Obstetric Global Packages
- Code obstetric services using global packages
- Apply component coding when appropriate
- Differentiate delivery types
Gynecologic Procedures
Hysterectomy Procedures
- Code hysterectomy by approach and extent
- Apply laparoscopic vs. open guidelines
- Understand additional procedure rules
10
Endocrine/Nervous Systems Surgery
5%
Thyroid and Parathyroid Procedures
Thyroidectomy
- Code thyroid procedures by extent
- Apply parathyroid combination codes
- Understand lymph node coding
Pain Management Procedures
Nerve Blocks and Injections
- Code nerve blocks by type and level
- Apply imaging guidance rules
- Understand spinal injection coding
11
Eye and Ear Surgery
3%
Ophthalmologic Procedures
Cataract Surgery
- Code cataract procedures by complexity
- Apply bilateral eye surgery rules
- Understand IOL coding
12
Radiology Services
6%
Diagnostic Radiology
Professional vs. Technical ComponentsContrast Administration
- Code radiology services with correct components
- Apply contrast coding guidelines
- Understand professional vs. technical splits
13
Pathology and Laboratory Services
5%
Clinical Laboratory Testing
Panels vs. Individual Tests
- Code laboratory panels correctly
- Avoid inappropriate unbundling
- Understand panel definitions
Surgical Pathology
Specimen Levels
- Code surgical pathology by specimen level
- Apply specimen counting guidelines
- Understand frozen section coding
14
Medicine Services
8%
Immunizations
Vaccine Administration
- Code vaccines with product and administration
- Apply age-based administration rules
- Understand counseling requirements
Infusion and Injection Services
Chemotherapy Administration
- Code chemotherapy administration by hierarchy
- Apply timing rules for initial/sequential
- Understand administration method coding
15
ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Coding
15%
ICD-10-CM Guidelines and Conventions
Coding ConventionsSequencing Rules
- Apply ICD-10-CM coding conventions correctly
- Sequence diagnoses appropriately
- Understand excludes notes and instructional notes
Complex Diagnosis Coding
Diabetes with ComplicationsNeoplasm CodingFracture Coding
- Code diabetes complications accurately
- Use neoplasm table for cancer coding
- Apply fracture coding with 7th characters
16
HCPCS Level II Coding
4%
Durable Medical Equipment (DME)
DME Coding
- Code DME supplies and equipment
- Apply DME modifiers correctly
- Understand rental vs. purchase coding
Drugs and Biologicals
J-Code Drug Coding
- Code injectable drugs by units
- Apply waste reporting guidelines
- Understand NOC drug coding
17
Modifiers
6%
CPT Modifiers
Significant E/M Modifier 25Multiple Procedure ModifiersBilateral and Laterality ModifiersReturn to OR Modifiers
- Apply CPT modifiers appropriately
- Understand modifier sequencing rules
- Avoid modifier misuse and abuse
18
Compliance and Regulatory
5%
Coding Compliance
Medical NecessityFraud and Abuse
- Understand medical necessity requirements
- Apply compliance guidelines
- Avoid fraud and abuse in coding
NCCI Edits
National Correct Coding Initiative
- Apply NCCI edit guidelines
- Understand bundling rules
- Use modifiers to bypass edits appropriately
How do I earn this certification?
Passing CPC earns the CPC certification. It sits in the Medical Coding - Physician Office/Outpatient track.
Next Level Options
- CPC-I - Certified Professional Coder - Inpatient Expand to inpatient hospital coding expertise
- COC - Certified Outpatient Coder Specialize in hospital outpatient and ambulatory surgery center coding
- CIC - Certified Inpatient Coder Specialize in inpatient hospital coding (ICD-10-CM/PCS focus)
- CPMA - Certified Professional Medical Auditor Advance to medical coding auditing role
- CEMC - Certified Evaluation and Management Coder Specialize in E/M coding expertise
- CRC - Certified Risk Adjustment Coder Specialize in risk adjustment and HCC coding
Alternative Paths
- CIRCC - Certified Interventional Radiology Cardiovascular Coder Specialize in interventional radiology and cardiovascular coding
- CGSC - Certified General Surgery Coder Specialize in general surgery coding
- COSC - Certified Orthopedic Surgery Coder Specialize in orthopedic surgery coding
- CASCC - Certified Ambulatory Surgery Center Coder Specialize in ambulatory surgery center coding
- CEDC - Certified Emergency Department Coder Specialize in emergency department coding
- CPCO - Certified Professional Compliance Officer Move into healthcare compliance role
- CPPM - Certified Physician Practice Manager Advance to practice management with coding knowledge
Practice with Precision
The PlanetCert Simulator mirrors the real exam environment with authentic questions and timed pressure.
How to study for this exam?
The most effective way to prepare for CPC is by using the PlanetCert Simulator to practice questions and review detailed explanations.
What's changed on this exam?
Current Status
- ACTIVE
- Last content update: 2025-01-01
Updates
- Electronic Health Records (EHR) Integration Current Coders need to understand EHR documentation for accurate code extraction • Release date: Ongoing
- Computer-Assisted Coding (CAC) Current While CPC tests manual coding skills, understanding CAC technology is becoming important for employment • Release date: Ongoing
- Telehealth and Remote Services Coding Post-COVID Updates Increased telehealth coding scenarios in exam; understanding telehealth modifiers and place of service codes • Release date: 2020-2024
Who should take this exam?
- High-level knowledge of medical terminology
- Understanding of anatomy and physiology
- Working knowledge of pathophysiology
- Fundamentals of Medicine Course (for those new to healthcare)