The Certified Inpatient Coder certification (CIC) is a core medical coding certification from American Academy of Professional Coders that evaluates inpatient coding knowledge, documentation interpretation, and applied coding judgment. It is typically pursued by inpatient coders, hospital facility coders, medical coders, and medical billing professionals working with hospital-based coding workflows.
The AAPC CIC exam covers:
- 40 multiple-choice questions and seven inpatient cases with fill-in-the-blank questions
- 240 minutes of testing time and a 70% passing score
This FAQ explains exam structure, readiness, preparation strategy, ethics, and coding-focused practice considerations.
AAPC CIC — Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
This FAQ section summarizes key aspects of the AAPC CIC exam, including format, difficulty, and preparation. For official eligibility, policies, and updates, visit the AAPC’s official exam page.
SECTION A: AAPC CIC Exam Overview & Legitimacy
This section explains what the AAPC CIC certification represents, who typically pursues it, and how it fits within inpatient medical coding. It also clarifies that the credential is a professional certification, not a license.
Q1. What is the Certified Inpatient Coder certification?
