The CPC (Certified Professional Coder) test is taken through the AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders). You have 5 hours and 40 minutes to finish the 150 question exam (2 minutes per question). No breaks are allowed! Know where the bathrooms are and watch your fluid intake the morning of test day.
The test is old school, AAPC does not believe in computers. Scantron sheets and #2 pencils are still their preferred method. It is open book, you can bring your code book (manuals) and write inside them.
The exam consists of questions regarding the correct application of procedural, hospital supply and ICD-10 diagnosis codes. Examinees must also demonstrate knowledge of regulatory rules, proper modifier use, medical terminology and coding guidelines.
You only need to score a 70% or better to pass so 105 correct answers is a passing score!
Here’s the exact breakdown of all 150 questions
10 questions
Surgical procedures performed on the integumentary system
- Skin, subcutaneous, and accessory structures
- Nails
- Pilonidal cysts
- Repairs
- Destruction
- Breast
10 questions
Surgical procedures performed on the musculoskeletal system
- Head
- Neck
- Spine
10 questions
Surgical procedures performed on the respiratory system
- Larynx
- Trachea and bronchi
Surgical procedures performed on the cardiovascular system
- Heart and pericardium
- Arteries and veins
Surgical procedures performed on the hemic and lymphatic systems
- Spleen
- Lymph nodes and lymph channels
10 questions
Surgical procedures performed on the digestive system
- Lips
- Mouth
- Salivary gland
- Stomach
- Intestines
- Rectum
- Liver
- Pancreas
10 questions
Surgical procedures performed on the urinary system
- Kidneys
- Bladder
Surgical procedures performed on the male reproductive system
- Testis
- Prostate
Surgical procedures performed on the female reproductive system
- Fallopian Tubes
- Ovaries
Surgical procedures performed on the endocrine system
- Thyroid gland
- Pancreas
10 questions
Surgical procedures performed on the nervous system
- Spinal cord
- Skull, meninges, brain
- Extracranial nerves
- Peripheral nerves
- Autonomic nervous system
10 questions
Evaluation and Management
- Office/Other Outpatient
- Hospital Inpatient
- Emergency Department
- Critical Care
- Nursing Facility
- Newborn Care
8 questions
Anesthesia
- Time reporting
- Qualifying Circumstances
- Physical Status Modifiers
- Anesthesia for surgical, diagnostic and obstetric services
10 questions
Radiology
- Mammography
- Diagnostic Radiology
- Diagnostic Ultrasound
- Radiologic Guidance
- Nuclear Medicine
10 questions
Laboratory / Pathology
- Drug Testing
- Organ and Disease Panels
- Hematology and Coagulation
- Transfusions
- Surgical Pathology
- Cytopathology
10 questions
Medicine
- Dialysis
- Immunizations
- Biofeedback
- Cardiovascular
- Genetics
- Hydration
- Dermatology
- Medical Nutrition
8 questions
Medical Terminology
- Medical terminology for all systems in the human body
8 questions
Anatomy
- Anatomy of all systems in the human body
10 questions
ICD-10-CM/Diagnosis
- ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting
- Diagnosis for all the chapters included in ICD-10-CM
- Diagnosis questions will also appear in other sections of the exam
5 questions
HCPCS Level II
- Supplies
- Professional services for Medicare patients
- Medications
- Modifiers
6 questions
Coding Guidelines
- ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting
- Modifier use
5 questions
Compliance and Regulatory
- Services covered under Medicare Parts A, B, C and D
- Place of service reporting
- Fraud and Abuse
That’s going to wrap up the exam preview. Stay focused, go after your dreams and keep moving towards your goals.
Good Luck!
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