The Certified Professional Coder (CPC) credential is the one employers ask for by name. I have been a medical coder since 2005, and I teach this course myself as a CPC-I. I won’t tell you it’s easy, because it isn’t. But it is a clear path, and this page lays out every step: the requirements, what the exam costs, how long it takes, and what CPC holders earn.
What Is the CPC Certification?
CPC stands for Certified Professional Coder. It is awarded by the AAPC and is the most recognized medical coding credential in the healthcare industry. A CPC shows employers that you can read physician documentation and assign accurate CPT, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II codes for outpatient and physician services.
When you pass the exam without two years of coding experience, you earn the CPC-A, the apprentice version of the credential. You keep the same exam result. Only the “A” changes once you meet the experience requirement.
CPC Certification Requirements
The AAPC keeps the requirements simple. To sit for the CPC exam you need:
- An active AAPC membership. You must be a member when you take the exam and keep your membership current to hold the credential.
- No degree. There is no college degree requirement. A structured course that covers anatomy, medical terminology, and all three code sets is the most reliable way to prepare.
- No prior experience. You can test right after training. Without two years of experience you will hold the CPC-A until you meet the experience requirement.
- Your code books. The current year AMA CPT Professional Edition plus your choice of ICD-10-CM and HCPCS Level II manuals.
Once certified, you keep the CPC active by renewing your AAPC membership and earning 36 continuing education units (CEUs) every two years.
The CPC Exam at a Glance
| Detail | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Questions | 100 multiple choice |
| Time | 4 hours, one sitting |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Books allowed | AMA CPT Professional Edition, plus your choice of ICD-10-CM and HCPCS Level II |
| Format | In person or online with a live remote proctor |
| Results | 7 to 10 business days |
How Much Does the CPC Exam Cost?
AAPC sells the CPC exam as a voucher. At the time of writing, the pricing is:
| Exam voucher | Standard price | Student price |
|---|---|---|
| 1 attempt | $425 | $400 |
| 2 attempts | $499 | $475 |
The two attempt voucher is the better value for most new coders because it covers a retake if you need one. Coding Clarified tuition includes your CPC exam voucher, AAPC membership, and code books. If you train elsewhere, budget separately for your membership and books. Check current AAPC exam pricing before you buy, since AAPC sets and changes these prices.
For the full breakdown of what the exam covers and how to prepare, read Everything You Need to Know About the CPC Exam.
How to Earn Your CPC, Step by Step
- Complete CPC training. A structured course teaches anatomy, medical terminology, and all three code sets in the order the exam tests them.
- Join the AAPC. Membership is required to sit for the exam.
- Schedule your exam. Choose in person or online.
- Pass the exam. You need 70% or higher.
- Start as a CPC-A. New coders without two years of experience receive the apprentice designation.
- Remove the “A.” Complete the experience requirement. AAPC’s Practicode program counts for one of the two required years.
Learn more in What Is CPC-A Certification and Practicode.
CPC vs. CPC-A: What Is the Difference?
Both credentials come from the same exam. The CPC-A tells employers you passed but have not yet completed two years of coding experience. Many employers hire CPC-A coders, especially when they have real chart experience from an internship or apprenticeship.
How Long Does It Take to Get CPC Certified?
Most students who follow a structured course are ready to test in about four to six months. Our instructor-led program runs 16 weeks, followed by exam prep and your exam date. Removing the “A” takes longer because it depends on experience, which is why we build real chart work into our internship and Registered Apprenticeship.
What Do CPC Certified Coders Earn?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $51,140 for medical records specialists, the category that includes medical coders (May 2025). The BLS projects 8% job growth from 2025 to 2035, with about 14,000 openings each year. See the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook for the full data.
Learn more in our guide to what AAPC stands for in medical coding.
Certified coders typically earn more than uncertified coders, and pay rises as you remove the “A,” gain experience, and add specialty credentials such as risk adjustment (CRC) or auditing.
CPC vs. CCS: Which Should You Choose?
The CPC (from AAPC) focuses on physician and outpatient coding, which is where most entry level and remote coding jobs are. The CCS (from AHIMA) leans toward hospital inpatient coding. If you are new to the field, start with the CPC. It is the credential our online medical coding training prepares you for. Compare every credential in our guide to medical coding certifications.
How Coding Clarified Prepares You for the CPC
Coding Clarified is an AAPC-licensed training school. I teach the course myself as a CPC-I, and I have been coding since 2005.
- Instructor-led training. You are not left alone with a video library. You have an instructor who answers your questions.
- Paper code books included. You receive printed CPT, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II books, the only three allowed in the exam room.
- Practicode included in tuition. Completed after the course, Practicode gives you real-world cases that count toward removing the “A.”
- Real experience. Our medical coding internship and Registered Apprenticeship give you the chart experience employers look for.
- Funding options. We are approved for WIOA funding in 30+ states. See scholarships and funding.
- Financing for everyone. Tuition is $5,999, with guaranteed financing of $1,000 down and 48 payments of $140.23, a $49 setup fee, and no credit check.
Start your enrollment or view our CPC training program.
CPC Certification FAQs
Is the CPC exam open book?
Yes. You may bring the AMA CPT Professional Edition and your choice of ICD-10-CM and HCPCS Level II books. Brief notes for daily coding are allowed. Inserted pages are not.
How long is the CPC exam?
Four hours for 100 multiple choice questions, taken in one sitting.
What score do I need to pass?
A minimum of 70%.
Can I take the CPC exam online?
Yes. AAPC offers the exam online with a live remote proctor. You need a computer that meets AAPC’s requirements and an external webcam.
Do I need experience before I take the exam?
No. You can sit for the exam after training. Without two years of experience, you will hold the CPC-A until you complete the requirement.
How much does the CPC exam cost?
AAPC currently charges $425 for one attempt or $499 for two attempts, with student pricing of $400 and $475. You also need an active AAPC membership.
How long does it take to get CPC certified?
Most students are ready to test in about four to six months with a structured course. Removing the apprentice designation depends on your experience.
Do I need a degree to become a CPC?
No. There is no degree requirement to sit for the CPC exam.
Is the CPC certification worth it?
If you want to work as a medical coder, yes. The CPC is the credential most outpatient and physician coding job postings ask for. Pair it with real chart experience and you stand out from other new coders.
This article is part of our CPC exam prep study hub, with everything you need to prepare for and pass the CPC exam.