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AAPC CPC® Certification Exam Guide 2026
Everything you need to know about the AAPC CPC® (Certified Professional Coder) exam — format, syllabus, allowed references, passing strategy, and how to prepare effectively in 2026.
CPC® Exam Format at a Glance
- Questions: 100 multiple-choice questions
- Time Limit: 4 hours (240 minutes) — 2.4 minutes per question
- Format: Open book — you may bring official code books with handwritten tabs
- Passing Score: 70% (70 correct answers out of 100)
- Retakes: 2 retakes allowed if you do not pass
- Domains Covered: 17 AAPC-defined content domains
Allowed Reference Books
The CPC® exam is open book. You may bring the following official code books with handwritten notes and tabs (no loose printed pages):
- CPT® Professional Edition (AMA)
- ICD-10-CM Expert for Physicians
- HCPCS Level II Expert
The 17 CPC® Exam Domains
The 100 exam questions are distributed across 17 content domains, including:
- Evaluation & Management (E&M) — highest weight domain
- Anesthesia
- Surgery: Integumentary, Musculoskeletal, Respiratory, Cardiovascular, Digestive, Urinary, Reproductive, Nervous System, Eye & Ear
- Radiology
- Pathology & Laboratory
- Medicine
- ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Coding
- HCPCS Level II
- Medical Terminology & Anatomy
- Compliance & Regulatory
Proven CPC® Exam Strategy
- The 2.4-Minute Hard Limit: Never spend more than 2.4 minutes on any single question. Flag it and move on.
- Prioritise High-Weight Domains: E&M and Surgery sections carry the most questions — master these first.
- Never Leave a Question Blank: There is no negative marking. Always select an answer, even for flagged questions.
- Tab Your Code Books: Pre-tab your code books by body system and specialty before the exam day.
- Practice Under Real Conditions: Take full 100-question, 4-hour mock exams to build stamina and time management.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions are on the AAPC CPC® exam?
The AAPC CPC® exam has 100 multiple-choice questions. You have 4 hours (240 minutes) to complete it, which averages 2.4 minutes per question.
Is the CPC® exam open book?
Yes. The AAPC CPC® exam is open book. You are allowed to bring the CPT® Professional Edition, ICD-10-CM Expert for Physicians, and HCPCS Level II Expert code books — with handwritten notes and tabs, but no printed pages.
What is the passing score for the CPC® exam?
The passing score for the AAPC CPC® exam is 70% (70 out of 100 questions correct). AAPC allows two retakes if you do not pass on the first attempt.
What domains does the CPC® exam cover?
The CPC® exam covers 17 domains including Evaluation & Management, Anesthesia, Surgery (multiple subsections), Radiology, Pathology & Lab, Medicine, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS, Medical Terminology, Anatomy, Compliance, and Coding Guidelines.
How long should I study for the CPC® exam?
Most candidates study for 3–6 months. Structured study with daily practice questions and full-length mock exams is the most effective approach. CPC Pathway provides a structured 7-module curriculum with 5,500+ practice questions for systematic preparation.
Read the full CPC® Certification Guide on CPC Pathway →