Certified Professional Coder (CPC) Certification
The Certified Professional Coder (CPC) certification is one of the most recognized certifications for medical coders. It is offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) and is designed for medical coders who work in physician office settings. If you’re interested in pursuing a CPC certification, you may be wondering what the eligibility criteria are for the CPC exam. In this article, we’ll explore the eligibility requirements for the CPC exam.
To be eligible to take the CPC exam, candidates must meet one of the following criteria:
- At least two years of coding experience
Candidates must have at least two years of experience in medical coding or a related field. The experience must be within the past five years and must include the use of CPT, HCPCS Level II, and ICD-10-CM codes. The coding experience may be obtained through a combination of work experience and education.
- At least one year of coding experience and completion of an approved coding course
Candidates who have at least one year of coding experience may be eligible to take the CPC exam if they have completed an approved coding course. The coding course must be at least 80 hours long and cover CPT, HCPCS Level II, and ICD-10-CM coding.
- No coding experience and completion of an AAPC coding course
Candidates who have no coding experience may be eligible to take the CPC exam if they complete an AAPC coding course. The coding course must be at least 80 hours long and cover CPT, HCPCS Level II, and ICD-10-CM coding.
In addition to meeting one of the above criteria, candidates must also have a high school diploma or equivalent. Candidates must also agree to the AAPC’s code of ethics.
Once candidates have met the eligibility criteria, they must pass the CPC exam to earn the certification. The CPC exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within 5 hours and 40 minutes. The exam covers a wide range of topics, including anatomy, medical terminology, CPT coding, HCPCS Level II coding, and ICD-10-CM coding.
The eligibility criteria for the CPC exam are relatively straightforward. Candidates must have at least two years of coding experience or meet the criteria for completion of an approved coding course or an AAPC coding course. Candidates must also have a high school diploma or equivalent and agree to the AAPC’s code of ethics. If you’re interested in pursuing a CPC certification, be sure to carefully review the eligibility criteria and prepare thoroughly for the CPC exam.