Welcome to the official MedicoExam syllabus guide for the AAPC Certified Professional Medical Auditor certification. This page delivers a clear, structured overview of the AAPC CPMA exam, including key exam details, syllabus topics, and preparation references to support effective study planning. The AAPC Certified Professional Medical Auditor (CPMA) is intended for professionals pursuing roles aligned with Core + Medical auditing + International, with assessment centered on applied competencies such as medical record auditing, documentation and compliance review, coding and reimbursement audit analysis within real-world settings like physician practices, healthcare organizations, payer and compliance audit 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 CPMA 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 medical auditors, coding compliance professionals, revenue cycle audit professionals
AAPC CPMA Exam Summary and Key Details
| Exam Name | AAPC Certified Professional Medical Auditor |
| Credential | AAPC Certified Professional Medical Auditor (CPMA) |
| Vendor | American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) |
| Exam Code | CPMA » AAPC CPMA Certification Practice Exam |
| Exam Delivery Mode | electronic exam; online at home or at a Meazure Learning testing center |
| Exam Duration | 240 mins |
| Number of Questions | 100 |
| Passing Score | 70% |
| Exam Price |
$425 for one attempt $450 for two exam attempts |
| Scheduling Window | after voucher purchase and Notice to Schedule from Meazure Learning |
| Schedule Exam | AAPC |
| Trainings/Resources | Certified Professional Medical Auditor (CPMA) Training Course |
| Sample Questions | AAPC CPMA Exam Sample Questions |
| Recommended Practice | AAPC CPMA Certification Practice Exam |
AAPC CPMA Exam Syllabus Topics and Weighting
| Topic Areas | Topic Details, Courses, Books | No. Of Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Medical record standards and documentation guidelines |
- The medical record - HIPAA privacy and release of medical record information - Covered entities - HIPAA privacy regulations - JCAHO documentation standards - Record retention - The advance beneficiary notification - Legal requirements of the medical record - Analyzing the operative report |
17 |
| Compliance and regulatory guidelines |
- The compliance plan - Fraud and abuse - Civil Monetary Penalties Law - Federal False Claims Act - Stark Law - Types of audits - OIG regulations and Work Plan - National Correct Coding Initiative - CMS guidelines for E/M documentation - OIG imposed CIA (Corporate Integrity Agreements) - Recovery audits and other government programs |
21 |
| Coding and reimbursement concepts |
- CPT® coding concepts - Modifier usage - Diagnosis coding and medical necessity - Evaluation and management documentation guidelines - Coding guidelines versus payer guidelines |
13 |
| Scope and statistical sampling methodologies |
- Audit scope - Statistical sampling |
7 |
| Quality assurance and risk analysis |
- List resources required for various types of audits - Identify support for audit decisions |
2 |
| Communication of results and findings |
- Validation of audit results - Analysis and report of audit findings - Communicating audit results - Corrective action |
4 |
| Medical record auditing abstraction |
- Evaluation and management - Surgery - Physical therapy - Radiology - Psychiatry - Hematology/oncology - Infusion services |
36 |
The AAPC CPMA certification exam is designed to assess both theoretical knowledge and applied professional judgment in Core + Medical auditing + International. The exam evaluates competencies such as medical record auditing, documentation and compliance review, coding and reimbursement audit analysis, ensuring candidates are prepared for real-world responsibilities as medical auditors, coding compliance professionals, revenue cycle audit professionals working in settings such as physician practices, healthcare organizations, payer and compliance audit environments.
To prepare effectively for the AAPC Certified Professional Medical Auditor exam, candidates are encouraged to review official vendor materials, complete structured practice assessments, and gain hands-on experience relevant to their professional role.
