Welcome to the official MedicoExam syllabus guide for the AAPC Certified Professional Coder certification. This page delivers a clear, structured overview of the AAPC CPC exam, including key exam details, syllabus topics, and preparation references to support effective study planning. The AAPC Certified Professional Coder (CPC) is intended for professionals pursuing roles aligned with Core + Medical coding + International, with assessment centered on applied competencies such as CPT/HCPCS/ICD-10-CM coding, medical documentation review, compliance and coding guidelines within real-world settings like Physician practices, outpatient provider organizations, revenue cycle and coding departments.
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 CPC 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 Professional coders, medical coding specialists, physician-based coding professionals and related roles
AAPC CPC Exam Summary and Key Details
| Exam Name | AAPC Certified Professional Coder |
| Credential | AAPC Certified Professional Coder (CPC) |
| Vendor | American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) |
| Exam Code | CPC » AAPC CPC Certification Practice Exam |
| Exam Delivery Mode | Live remote proctored exam or electronic 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 |
| Schedule Exam | AAPC |
| Trainings/Resources | Certified Professional Coder (CPC) Online Training Course |
| Sample Questions | AAPC CPC Exam Sample Questions |
| Recommended Practice | AAPC CPC Certification Practice Exam |
AAPC CPC 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. | 4 |
| Anatomy | - These questions will assess your knowledge of anatomy for all systems in the human body. | 4 |
| Compliance and regulatory | - This section will test your knowledge of compliance and regulations which pertain to services covered under Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D; applying coding to payment policy; place of service reporting; fraud and abuse; NCCI edits; NCDs/LCDs; HIPAA; ABNs; and RVUs. | 3 |
| 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. | 7 |
| 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. | 5 |
| 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. | 3 |
| 10000 series codes | - The 10,000 series CPT® part of the exam relates to surgical procedures performed on the integumentary system, which includes skin, subcutaneous, and accessory structures, as well as nails, pilonidal cysts, repairs, destruction, and breast. | 6 |
| 20000 series codes | - The 20000 series CPT® portion will home in on surgical procedures performed on the musculoskeletal system from head to toe. Specifically, these areas include the head, neck, back and flank, spine, abdomen, shoulder, arm, hand and fingers, pelvis and hip, leg, foot, and toes. | 6 |
| 30000 series codes | - The 30000 series CPT® section focuses on surgical procedures performed on the respiratory system, the cardiovascular system, the hemic and lymphatic systems, and the mediastinum and diaphragm. | 6 |
| 40000 series codes | - Your knowledge of the 40000 series CPT® section covers surgical procedures performed on the digestive system, which will focus on these areas: lips, mouth, palate and uvula, salivary gland and ducts, pharynx, adenoids, and tonsils, esophagus, stomach, intestines, appendix, rectum, anus, liver, biliary tract, pancreas, abdomen, peritoneum, and omentum. | 6 |
| 50000 series codes | - The 50000 series CPT® section tests your knowledge pertaining to surgical procedures performed on the urinary system, the male reproductive system, the female reproductive system, including maternity and delivery, and the endocrine system. | 6 |
| 60000 series codes | - The 60000 series CPT® section involves surgical procedures performed on the nervous system and will include codes pertaining to the skull, meninges, brain, spine, spinal cord, extracranial nerves, peripheral nerves, autonomic nervous system. | 6 |
| Radiology codes | - These questions will focus on both diagnostic and interventional radiology, including diagnostic ultrasound, radiologic guidance, mammography, bone and joint studies, radiation oncology, and nuclear medicine. | 6 |
| Pathology and laboratory codes | - This section will test your knowledge of organ and disease panels, drug testing, therapeutic drug assays, evocation/suppression testing, consultations, urinalysis, molecular pathology, MAAA, chemistry, hematology and coagulation, immunology, transfusions, microbiology, anatomic pathology, cytopathology, cytogenetic studies, surgical pathology, in vivo and reproductive. | 6 |
| Medicine | - This will cover numerous specialty-specific coding scenarios, as well as immunizations, biofeedback, dialysis, central nervous system assessments, health and behavior assessments, hydration, medical nutrition, therapeutic and diagnostic administration, chemotherapy administration, photodynamic therapy, osteopathic manipulative treatment, patient education and training, non-face-to-face nonphysician services, and moderate sedation. | 6 |
| E/M | - This area will assess your coding proficiency related to place and level of services, such as office/other outpatient, hospital observation, hospital inpatient, consultations, emergency department, critical care, nursing facility, domiciliary and rest homes, and home services. It will also include questions directed at preventive medicine, non-face-to-face services, neonatal and pediatric critical care, intensive care, prolonged services, chronic care, transitional care, case management, and care plan oversight. | 6 |
| Anesthesia | - The questions related to anesthesia will pertain to time reporting, qualifying circumstances, physical status modifiers, anesthesia for surgical, diagnostic and obstetric services. | 4 |
| 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 CPC certification exam is designed to assess both theoretical knowledge and applied professional judgment in Core + Medical coding + International. The exam evaluates competencies such as CPT/HCPCS/ICD-10-CM coding, medical documentation review, compliance and coding guidelines, ensuring candidates are prepared for real-world responsibilities as Professional coders, medical coding specialists, physician-based coding professionals and related roles working in settings such as Physician practices, outpatient provider organizations, revenue cycle and coding departments.
To prepare effectively for the AAPC Certified Professional Coder exam, candidates are encouraged to review official vendor materials, complete structured practice assessments, and gain hands-on experience relevant to their professional role.
