The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) offers an exam to become a Certified Professional Coder (CPC). The exam is designed to test the knowledge and skills to certify you as a Medical Coder. It is offered in both English and Spanish. The test is available to take online, from the comfort of your own home or in person on a paper exam. The CPC exam is offered throughout the year, and registration is open year-round.
AAPC CPC Exam 2022 Updates
The AAPC is the premier professional association for healthcare and its CPC Exam is the leading credential in the field. The exam is updated yearly to reflect the latest changes in the industry and best practices in coding. They announced updates to the CPC Exam for 2022. The new exam was launched on January 1, 2022.
Number of Questions and Length
These tests traditionally consisted of 150 multiple choice questions and were administered in five hours and forty minutes. One of the biggest changes in 2022, is that the AAPC certification tests now only encompass 100 multiple choice questions and you are given four hours to complete it. When taking the test online, it will be split into two parts with two hours each. This makes it much easier to complete and makes it easier to focus. Psychologists have found that shorter tests provide better reliability and content validity. This makes the online exam more appealing to most.
“By shortening AAPC exams, while maintaining the validity, we were able to ensure the same rigorous content as currently provided. Additional benefits of shortening AAPC exams include ensuring adequate time is given to the examinees, reducing obstacles for proctors, and opening an opportunity to provide additional types of questions to further reflect the critical abilities for the intended job. ” –AAPC
The questions on the exam still focus on 17 areas of Medical Coding. You must get 70 questions correct for a score of at least 70%. Practice tests are available to take prior to the exam. We highly suggest this to ensure that you are prepared.
Cost of Test
The cost of taking the exam did go up, as everything else in the world around us has. Previously, for AAPC members it was $325 to take the online test and $425 to take the CPC exam in person. Currently, AAPC members pay $349 and $449. Budget a little extra money this year.
Online Exam
The online exam option is two sessions of 2 hour intervals. You will answer 50 questions in each session. Scheduling the online exam is still offered same day. You are able to schedule the second session online at your convenience. No fee is charged if rescheduled at least 24 hours in advance. If you cancel or reschedule within 24 hours or prior, you will be charged a fee for each occurrence. You will have one attempt to pass this test. You will get your results within 7-10 business days of completing the second part of the exam, sometimes as quickly as 24 hours after. The online exam will be taken at your home in a quiet place. The cost of the online exam is $349-$399.
In Person Exam
The in person exam has one session with a duration of 4 hours. Be sure to arrive 10-15 minutes early. You may take a break during the exam, however, you will not get extra time to complete. You will answer all 100 questions in one session. If you reschedule 21 days prior to the scheduled date, you will pay a $100 rescheduling fee. This option does allow two attempts to pass the test. Exam results are provided to you within 7-10 business days following the exam date. The exam will be taken at a predetermined location with a group of students and a proctor. The cost of the in person exam is $449-499.
Here is the breakdown of the differences between taking the AAPC CPC Exam online versus in person. 
Conclusion
As more and more healthcare legislation is passed, the CPC exam will continue to evolve. There are always changes in Medical Coding itself, as well. Be sure to stay up-to-date on the latest changes so that you are prepared for the CPC exam and your new career in Medical Coding. If you are looking to get into the Medical Coding field, we highly suggest a program like ours to help you through your journey. Here is more information on becoming a student of Coding Clarified.