CPC Certification (Certified Professional Coder)
The CPC (Certified Professional Coder) is AAPC's flagship credential for physician and outpatient coding. Candidates pass a 100-question, 4-hour open-book exam at 70 percent and maintain AAPC membership. Those who pass without two years of coding experience receive the apprentice CPC-A designation until they document the experience.
- Issuer
- AAPC
- Exam
- 100 questions, 4 hours, open book
- Passing score
- 70%
- Apprentice status
- CPC-A until 2 years experience documented
What is the CPC certification?
The CPC, Certified Professional Coder, is AAPC's flagship credential and the most common entry point for a medical coder working the physician and outpatient side. It signals that the holder can accurately assign CPT, HCPCS Level II, and ICD-10-CM codes and apply the guidelines that govern them. On the facility side, the counterpart credential is AHIMA's CCS.
For anyone mapping a route into the field, the CPC is usually the first credential named in job postings.
What is on the CPC exam and what does it cost?
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Questions | 100 multiple choice |
| Time | 4 hours |
| Format | Open book (approved manuals) |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Exam fee | ~$425 single attempt (verify current figures) |
| Membership | AAPC membership required |
Because it is open book, the exam rewards fast, confident navigation of the code manuals over rote memorization.
Why do some coders hold CPC-A instead of CPC?
Example: a career-changer finishes a coding program and passes the CPC exam but has no paid coding hours yet. They earn the CPC-A apprentice credential, take an entry coding job, and after documenting the required experience the A drops and they hold full CPC.
- Study and pass the 100-question exam at 70 percent or higher.
- Receive CPC-A if you lack the recommended two years of experience.
- Accumulate and document qualifying coding experience.
- Apply to remove the apprentice designation and hold full CPC.
Frequently asked questions
The CPC, Certified Professional Coder, is AAPC's primary credential for outpatient and physician-office coding. It certifies that the holder can accurately assign CPT, HCPCS Level II, and ICD-10-CM codes and apply coding guidelines. It is one of the most recognized coding credentials among physician-practice and outpatient employers.
The exam is 100 multiple-choice questions over 4 hours, open book with your approved code manuals, and you need 70 percent to pass. The exam fee is around $425 for a single attempt (verify current figures with AAPC), and AAPC membership is required. Preparation typically runs several months of focused study.
CPC-A is the apprentice designation given to those who pass the exam but have not yet documented AAPC's recommended two years of coding experience. The A is removed once the experience is verified, often through on-the-job time or approved training. Employers understand CPC-A as "passed the exam, building hours."
Sources & further reading
Reviewed by the ImmediCare Solutions RCM team
Certified billers and coders handling claims across 50+ specialties nationwide. This entry is reviewed against current payer policy and CMS rules. Last review: Jul 5, 2026.
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