Welcome to the official MedicoExam syllabus guide for the AAPC Certified Risk Adjustment Coder certification. This page delivers a clear, structured overview of the AAPC CRC exam, including key exam details, syllabus topics, and preparation references to support effective study planning. The AAPC Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC) is intended for professionals pursuing roles aligned with Core + Medical coding + International, with assessment centered on applied competencies such as ICD-10-CM diagnosis coding, risk adjustment models, clinical documentation review within real-world settings like health plans, provider organizations with risk-based contracts, healthcare vendors and related coding settings.
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 CRC 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 risk adjustment coders, medical coders, coding compliance and documentation review professionals
AAPC CRC Exam Summary and Key Details
| Exam Name | AAPC Certified Risk Adjustment Coder |
| Credential | AAPC Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC) |
| Vendor | American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) |
| Exam Code | CRC » AAPC CRC Certification Practice Exam |
| Exam Delivery Mode | Online or testing-center electronic exam, where available |
| Exam Duration | 240 mins |
| Number of Questions | 100 |
| Passing Score | 70% |
| Exam Price |
$425 for one attempt $499 for two exam attempts |
| Scheduling Window | Per AAPC exam voucher and Meazure Learning scheduling availability |
| Schedule Exam | AAPC |
| Trainings/Resources | Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC) Online Training Course |
| Sample Questions | AAPC CRC Exam Sample Questions |
| Recommended Practice | AAPC CRC Certification Practice Exam |
AAPC CRC Exam Syllabus Topics and Weighting
| Topic Areas | Topic Details, Courses, Books | No. Of Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Compliance | - These questions will assess your knowledge of the process for prospective audits, for RADV audits, and for retrospective audits, and your ability to identify common coding errors identified in RADV audits. | 15 |
| Diagnosis coding |
- These questions will assess your ability to apply Coding Clinic guidance to coding scenarios, and identify common coding errors in risk adjustment as well as the diagnosis codes that risk adjust. Additionally, you must demonstrate the ability to properly code:
|
30 |
| Documentation improvement | - This section will test your knowledge on communicating documentation discrepancies with providers and your ability to identify documentation discrepancies. | 12 |
| Pathophysiology/medical terminology/anatomy | - This section will assess your ability to identify common acronyms for industry and medical terminology, and identify anatomic structures, locations, and functions. You also will be asked to define common medical terms and explain disease processes and interactions for common chronic conditions. | 5 |
| Purpose and use of risk adjustment models | - This section will ask that you explain the use of data mining and predictive modeling from data captured through risk adjustment coding. You must also demonstrate the ability to apply trumping in the risk adjustment hierarchy. | 10 |
| Quality of care | - This area will test your ability to explain the purpose of HEDIS and STAR ratings, as well as their alignment with risk adjustment. | 3 |
| Risk adjustment models | - This section will assess your ability to apply the ACA, CDPS, HCC, and private payer risk adjustment models. You also will be asked to list the elements needed to determine the risk adjustment score. | 15 |
| Cases | - Each case will test your ability to accurately code diagnoses based on medical record documentation and to report diagnoses that risk adjust. | 10 |
The AAPC CRC certification exam is designed to assess both theoretical knowledge and applied professional judgment in Core + Medical coding + International. The exam evaluates competencies such as ICD-10-CM diagnosis coding, risk adjustment models, clinical documentation review, ensuring candidates are prepared for real-world responsibilities as risk adjustment coders, medical coders, coding compliance and documentation review professionals working in settings such as health plans, provider organizations with risk-based contracts, healthcare vendors and related coding settings.
To prepare effectively for the AAPC Certified Risk Adjustment Coder exam, candidates are encouraged to review official vendor materials, complete structured practice assessments, and gain hands-on experience relevant to their professional role.
