Welcome to the official MedicoExam syllabus guide for the AAPC Certified Outpatient Coder certification. This page delivers a clear, structured overview of the AAPC COC exam, including key exam details, syllabus topics, and preparation references to support effective study planning. The AAPC Certified Outpatient Coder (COC) is intended for professionals pursuing roles aligned with Core + Medical coding, with assessment centered on applied competencies such as outpatient facility coding, CPT®/HCPCS Level II/ICD-10-CM code assignment, payment methodology and compliance within real-world settings like outpatient hospital departments, ambulatory surgery centers, hospital facility coding environments.
The syllabus outline below reflects the core domains and expectations defined by the official AAPC certification framework and aligns with the cognitive and professional standards assessed in the AAPC COC exam. Candidates can use this guide alongside official vendor resources and structured practice to align their preparation with current exam standards and professional expectations for outpatient medical coders, facility coding professionals, ambulatory surgery center coders and related roles
AAPC COC Exam Summary and Key Details
| Exam Name | AAPC Certified Outpatient Coder |
| Credential | AAPC Certified Outpatient Coder (COC) |
| Vendor | American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) |
| Exam Code | COC » AAPC COC Certification Practice Exam |
| Exam Delivery Mode | Online live remote proctored exam or in-person testing center exam |
| Exam Duration | 240 mins |
| Number of Questions | 100 |
| Passing Score | 70% |
| Exam Price |
$425 for one attempt $499 for two exam attempts |
| Scheduling Window | Exam voucher valid for one year from purchase date |
| Schedule Exam | AAPC |
| Trainings/Resources | Certified Outpatient Coder (COC) Online Training Course |
| Sample Questions | AAPC COC Exam Sample Questions |
| Recommended Practice | AAPC COC Certification Practice Exam |
AAPC COC Exam Syllabus Topics and Weighting
| Topic Areas | Topic Details, Courses, Books | No. Of Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Medical terminology | - These questions will assess your knowledge of medical terminology for all systems in the human body. | 7 |
| Anatomy | - These questions will assess your knowledge of anatomy for all systems in the human body. | 7 |
| Coding guidelines | - This section will address the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, CPT® coding guidelines and parenthetical notes, and modifier use. | 3 |
| Payment methodologies | - This section will test your knowledge of payment methodologies which pertain to services covered under Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D; Medicare as secondary payer; OPPS and IPPS payment methodologies; and UB-04 and CMS-1500 claim form completion requirements. | 13 |
| Compliance | - This section will address NCDs/LCDs, HIPAA, and ABNs. | 3 |
| ICD-10-CM | - This area will test your proficiency in diagnosis coding within all the chapters of ICD-10-CM, as well as thorough knowledge of the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting. Additionally, diagnosis questions will appear in other sections of the exam from the CPT® categories. | 15 |
| HCPCS Level II | - This section will test your knowledge on HCPCS Level II coding and includes questions focusing on modifiers, supplies, medications, and professional services for Medicare patients. | 7 |
| CPT® | - This section will test your knowledge of CPT® coding for evaluation and management, surgery, radiology, pathology/laboratory, and medicine procedures and services. | 13 |
| Surgery and modifiers | - This part of the exam will test your proficiency related to procedures approved for outpatient hospital and ASC facilities. | 22 |
| Cases | - Each case will test your ability to accurately code medical record documentation using CPT®, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II codes. | 10 |
The AAPC COC certification exam is designed to assess both theoretical knowledge and applied professional judgment in Core + Medical coding. The exam evaluates competencies such as outpatient facility coding, CPT®/HCPCS Level II/ICD-10-CM code assignment, payment methodology and compliance, ensuring candidates are prepared for real-world responsibilities as outpatient medical coders, facility coding professionals, ambulatory surgery center coders and related roles working in settings such as outpatient hospital departments, ambulatory surgery centers, hospital facility coding environments.
To prepare effectively for the AAPC Certified Outpatient Coder exam, candidates are encouraged to review official vendor materials, complete structured practice assessments, and gain hands-on experience relevant to their professional role.
