Medical
AAPC CPCCertified Professional Coder
AAPC CPC (Certified Professional Coder) is the most recognized medical coding credential in the US. Validates the ability to assign CPT, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II codes from clinical documentation.
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Exam facts
Everything you need to know about the AAPC CPC exam.
- Passing score
- 70%
- Format & length
- 100 questions · 4 hours
- Voucher cost
- $425 single attempt / $499 two-attempt bundle (AAPC membership required separately: $222/year standard, $157 student)
- Prerequisites
- Active AAPC membership; 2 years coding experience recommended for full CPC (not the apprentice CPC-A)
- Validity
- Lifetime credential (36 CEUs every 2 years to maintain)
Last reviewed June 2026.
What’s tested
Key topics on the AAPC CPC® exam.
The Cert Climb question bank is mapped to every domain on the official AAPC CPC® exam blueprint, so what you study is what the test asks.
- 10,000 Series CPT
- 20,000 Series CPT
- 30,000 Series CPT
- 40,000 Series CPT
- 50,000 Series CPT
- 60,000 Series CPT
- Evaluation & Management
- Anesthesia
- Radiology
- Pathology
- Medicine
- Anatomy & Physiology
- ICD-10-CM
- HCPCS Level II
- Compliance & Regulatory
Who it’s for
Built for the people taking this exam.
Medical billers and coders, healthcare administrative professionals, and career changers entering health information.
Why it matters in 2026
The career signal.
CPC is the most-cited medical coding credential in US job postings — the AAPC's 2025 salary survey shows certified coders earn roughly 30%+ over uncertified baseline, and 63%+ of medical coders now work remotely. BLS projects 7-15% growth across medical records and health information roles through 2034, with about 14,200 annual openings. AI is reshaping the workflow (coders increasingly validate AI-suggested codes), but the credential remains the credibility filter for remote coding work, payer audits, and specialty-coding pay tiers.
Sample question
What a AAPC CPC question looks like.
A patient's operative report describes a procedure performed on the structure responsible for producing bile and located in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen. Which organ is being referenced?
See the answer & explanation
Correct: C. Liver
Why: The liver is the organ responsible for producing bile and is located in the right upper quadrant (RUQ) of the abdomen. The gallbladder stores bile but does not produce it. The pancreas produces digestive enzymes and insulin. The spleen is involved in immune function and blood filtration.
What you get
Everything you need to actually pass.
Full question bank
382 questions covering every objective on the official AAPC CPC® exam blueprint, with detailed explanations on every option — right and wrong.
Quiz modes
Timed exam simulation, missed-only review, topic drills, and a daily question of the day. Practice the way you study best.
Flashcards
Spaced-repetition flashcards generated from each topic. Pull them up on a phone in the gap between meetings.
Progress tracking
See per-topic accuracy and answered counts. Find weak areas before they cost you on test day.
Per-category premium
Unlocking AAPC CPC® unlocks every other Medical exam in the Cert Climb catalog — pay once, stack credentials.
No-fluff explanations
Every wrong answer comes with a 2-3 sentence explanation of why it’s wrong, not just “the correct answer is X.” Pattern recognition is the whole game.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about AAPC CPC
What is the AAPC CPC exam?
AAPC CPC (Certified Professional Coder) is the most recognized medical coding credential in the US. Validates the ability to assign CPT, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II codes from clinical documentation.
How many questions are on the AAPC CPC exam, and how long is it?
100 questions · 4 hours
What is the passing score for the AAPC CPC exam?
70%
How much does the AAPC CPC exam cost?
$425 single attempt / $499 two-attempt bundle (AAPC membership required separately: $222/year standard, $157 student)
Are there prerequisites for the AAPC CPC exam?
Active AAPC membership; 2 years coding experience recommended for full CPC (not the apprentice CPC-A)
How long is the AAPC CPC certification valid?
Lifetime credential (36 CEUs every 2 years to maintain)
How many questions does the AAPC CPC bank have?
382 questions, organized into 18 subject areas mapped to the official exam objectives.
Is the free trial really free?
Yes. 30 questions, no credit card, no email-trap, no “activate by Friday or pay” spam. You either upgrade because the bank’s good, or you don’t.
What does premium cost?
Premium is sold per category and unlocks every Medical exam in the Cert Climb catalog. Plans are 1-month, 3-month, or 12-month — see the upgrade modal for current pricing.
How current is the AAPC CPC® content?
We track exam version updates and refresh the bank within weeks of new objectives. Where the version of an exam matters (e.g. CompTIA SY0-701 vs. SY0-601), question explanations call it out.
Can I cancel my subscription anytime?
Yes. Cancellation is one click from your profile. Your access continues through the end of the period you’ve already paid for.
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