The CPC certification from AAPC is the most recognized medical billing and coding credential for outpatient and physician-office coding. The exam has 100 multiple-choice questions, a 4-hour time limit, and is open codebook. It costs $425 for one attempt or $499 for two. You'll need a 70% score to pass. CPC holders report a median salary of $58,895, and certified coders earn 20.7% more than uncertified peers on average.
- 1.The CPC is AAPC's flagship medical billing and coding certification and the most recognized credential among U.S. employers for outpatient coding.
- 2.Exam format: 100 multiple-choice questions, 4-hour time limit, open codebook (ICD-10-CM, CPT, HCPCS Level II).
- 3.Total minimum cost: $582 for students ($425 exam + $157 membership) or $647 for professional members ($425 + $222).
- 4.Passing score: 70%, meaning 70 correct answers out of 100.
- 5.CPC holders report a median salary of $58,895, with certified professionals earning 20.7% more than uncertified peers (AAPC, 2025).
- 6.Renewal: 36 CEUs every 2 years plus active AAPC membership.
100
Exam Questions
Multiple choice, 4 hours
70%
Passing Score
70 of 100 correct
$425
Exam Cost
$499 for 2 attempts
$58,895
CPC Median Salary
AAPC 2025 Survey
What Is the CPC Certification?
The CPC (Certified Professional Coder) is a medical billing and coding certification issued by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). It validates your ability to assign accurate CPT, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II codes for outpatient and physician-office services.
AAPC reports that the CPC is its most popular certification, with hundreds of thousands of credential holders worldwide. It's widely recognized by physician practices, outpatient facilities, billing companies, and health systems across the U.S. For many outpatient coding job postings, the CPC is listed as required or strongly preferred.
CPC holders work in physician offices, outpatient clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, multispecialty groups, and remote coding positions. The credential demonstrates that you can translate physician documentation into the standardized codes that drive healthcare billing and reimbursement.
Source: AAPC 2025 Salary Survey
CPC Exam Format and Structure
The CPC exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions that you'll need to complete in 4 hours. You need a score of 70% (70 correct answers) to pass (AAPC).
The exam is open codebook. You can bring your current-year coding manuals: ICD-10-CM, CPT Professional Edition, and HCPCS Level II. Codebooks can be tabbed and annotated, but loose papers and notes aren't permitted.
You can take the exam at a Pearson VUE testing center or online from home with a live remote proctor. Both options use the same 100-question, 4-hour format. For the online option, you'll need a reliable internet connection, a webcam, and a quiet, private workspace (AAPC).
Questions present clinical scenarios, often excerpts from operative reports or physician notes, and ask you to identify the correct code or codes. Speed matters: with 100 questions in 4 hours, you have an average of 2 minutes and 24 seconds per question, so efficient codebook navigation is essential.
CPC Cost Breakdown
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Fee (1 Attempt) | $425 | Standard single-attempt option |
| Exam Fee (2 Attempts) | $499 | Includes one free retake |
| AAPC Membership (Required) | $222/year | Must be active at exam time |
| Student Membership | $157/year | For enrolled students |
| Minimum Total (Student) | $582 | 1 attempt + student membership |
| Minimum Total (Professional) | $647 | 1 attempt + professional membership |
Source: AAPC, 2025
CPC Eligibility Requirements
AAPC doesn't impose strict educational prerequisites. To sit for the CPC exam, you need to meet one of these criteria (AAPC):
- Complete an AAPC-approved training program covering medical terminology, anatomy, ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS coding.
- Have on-the-job coding experience in a medical setting.
Active AAPC membership is required at the time of the exam. If you pass without verified work experience, you'll receive the CPC-A (Apprentice) designation rather than the full CPC. The apprentice tag is removed after documenting qualifying experience.
E/M services, Anesthesia, Surgery across all body systems (musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, urinary, nervous, eye/ear), Radiology, Pathology/Lab, and Medicine sections.
Applying ICD-10-CM guidelines, selecting correct diagnosis codes from clinical documentation, understanding sequencing rules, combination codes, and excludes notes.
Assigning codes for supplies, durable medical equipment, and services not covered by CPT.
Medical necessity, modifier usage, bundling and unbundling rules, documentation requirements, and compliance regulations.
What the CPC Exam Covers
The exam places heavy emphasis on Surgery and E/M coding. These two CPT sections account for the largest share of questions. If you can navigate the Surgery and E/M sections quickly, you'll be in strong shape, since time management is one of the biggest challenges.
About 20-25% of questions involve ICD-10-CM diagnosis coding, including sequencing rules and conventions. The remaining questions cover HCPCS Level II, modifier usage, bundling rules, and compliance. Every question tests applied coding knowledge, not memorization.
Study Tips and Preparation for the CPC Exam
Tab your codebooks thoroughly
The CPC is an open-codebook exam, and finding codes quickly is often the difference between finishing on time and running out of time. Use color-coded tabs for major sections and annotate frequently referenced guidelines directly in your manuals.
Practice with timed exams
AAPC sells official practice exams (50 questions each) that simulate the real format. Taking these under timed conditions builds the pacing discipline you need for 100 questions in 4 hours.
Focus on Surgery and E/M
These two CPT sections account for the largest percentage of exam questions. Invest extra study time in operative report coding and the E/M documentation guidelines that took effect in 2021.
Learn anatomy alongside codes
Many questions describe procedures in clinical language. Understanding the anatomy, not just code descriptions, helps you identify the correct code when wording differs from the CPT index.
Review ICD-10-CM guidelines
About 20-25% of the exam involves diagnosis coding. Knowing how ICD-10-CM handles sequencing, combination codes, and excludes notes can save time and prevent errors.
Source: AAPC
CPC-A (Apprentice) Designation
If you pass the CPC exam but don't have verified coding work experience, you'll receive the CPC-A (Apprentice) designation. It's not a separate exam. The test is identical. The apprentice tag simply means you haven't met AAPC's experience requirement yet.
To remove the CPC-A designation and earn the full CPC, AAPC requires one of these: two years of coding experience, one year of experience plus an AAPC-approved training program, or 80 hours through an AAPC Project Xtern externship.
Many employers hire CPC-A holders at entry level. The apprentice designation doesn't prevent you from working as a coder. It signals that you've passed the same exam as full CPC holders and are building on-the-job experience.
Maintaining Your CPC Certification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Renewal Cycle | Every 2 years |
| Total CEUs Required | 36 CEUs per cycle |
| Curriculum A (Core) | At least 24 CEUs in coding topics: CPT updates, ICD-10-CM changes, compliance, guidelines |
| Curriculum B (Elective) | Up to 12 CEUs in broader topics: practice management, healthcare technology |
| CEU Sources | AAPC workshops, local chapter meetings, online courses, webinars, conferences |
| Extension Fee | $50 for a CEU deadline extension |
| Audit Rate | AAPC randomly audits 25% of CEU submissions |
Source: AAPC, 2025
CPC Career Impact and Salary Data
The CPC is the credential most frequently requested in outpatient coding job postings. It qualifies you for roles in physician offices, outpatient clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, billing companies, and remote coding positions.
According to the 2025 AAPC Salary Survey, certified professionals earn $66,979 on average compared to $55,721 for uncertified workers, a 20.7% premium. CPC holders specifically report a median of $58,895. Those with two certifications average $71,130, and three or more credentials average $81,227.
Beyond salary, the CPC opens advancement paths. CPC holders commonly move into senior coding roles, coding auditor positions, compliance analyst work, and coding team management. The credential also serves as a foundation for AAPC specialty certifications like the COC (Outpatient Hospital) and various specialty-specific credentials.
Many CPC holders also pursue the CPB (Certified Professional Biller) as a complementary credential, qualifying them for roles that involve both coding and billing. For more on earning potential, check out our salary guide.
Source: AAPC 2025 Salary Survey
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions About CPC Certification
Sources
Exam format, eligibility, costs, and codebook requirements
CPC median salary, certification premium data
OEWS May 2024, SOC 29-2072 national median and projections
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Angela R.
Medical Billing & Coding Specialist | Consultant
Angela worked as a medical billing and coding specialist for multiple chiropractors and orthopedic surgeons. After years in the field, she started her own medical billing and coding consulting company, working with numerous clients throughout Southern California. She brings firsthand industry experience to every article on this site.