CPC certification is the Certified Professional Coder credential awarded by AAPC, the most widely recognised medical coding credential. The exam has 100 multiple-choice questions in 4 hours, and you need 70% to pass using your CPT, ICD-10-CM and HCPCS books. It costs $425 for one attempt or $499 for two, plus AAPC membership of $229 a year (prices checked 27 October 2026).
Key takeaways
- CPC is awarded only by AAPC — training institutes, including BCRI, prepare you for it.
- Exam: 100 multiple-choice questions, 4 hours, 70% to pass, open code books.
- Cost: $425 (1 attempt) or $499 (2 attempts), plus $229 a year AAPC membership.
- Pass without two years of coding work and you start as CPC-A (apprentice).
- Most people finish coursework and pass in 4 to 8 months, according to AAPC.
On this page ⌄
What is CPC certification?
CPC stands for Certified Professional Coder. It is a medical coding credential awarded by AAPC, a US professional association for medical coders and billers. AAPC describes the CPC as the most recognised coding credential, accepted by physicians, payers and government agencies.
A CPC reads clinical documentation and turns diagnoses, procedures, supplies and services into codes on a medical claim. These are the same three code sets taught in a medical coding course: ICD-10-CM for diagnoses, CPT for procedures and HCPCS Level II for supplies and services. New to coding? Start with what is medical coding?
Course certificate vs CPC
A training institute gives you a course completion certificate. The CPC credential comes only from AAPC, after you pass its exam. Be wary of any course that claims to “give” you CPC certification.
CPC exam pattern
The CPC exam is open book: you work with your CPT, ICD-10-CM and HCPCS code books. Here is how it works, according to AAPC’s exam FAQs.
Detail
- Questions
- 100 multiple-choice questions
- Time
- 4 hours, in one sitting
- Passing score
- 70% — at least 70 correct answers
- Books allowed
- AMA CPT® Professional Edition, plus ICD-10-CM and HCPCS Level II books from any publisher; current-year books recommended
- Where
- At home with a live remote proctor, or at a testing centre
- Results
- Usually within 7–10 business days, in your AAPC account
- Booking
- Buy an exam voucher, then schedule at least three weeks before your exam date
For the at-home exam, AAPC requires a computer that meets its system check, a reliable internet connection, an external webcam (built-in laptop webcams are not allowed) and a quiet, private room. You can cancel or reschedule for free more than 48 hours before your slot.
Taking the exam from India
AAPC’s pages do not list which countries can book the remote exam. Before you pay, sign in to your AAPC account and check that your location and a time slot are available.
CPC certification cost in 2026
AAPC charges in US dollars. The rupee amount depends on the exchange rate and your bank’s card charges on the day you pay.
Standard
- CPC exam — 1 attempt
- $425
- CPC exam — 2 attempts
- $499
- AAPC membership (per year)
- $229
- Code books
- AMA CPT Professional Edition is required; AAPC’s code book bundle was $244.99 for members
Student
- CPC exam — 1 attempt
- $400
- CPC exam — 2 attempts
- $475
- AAPC membership (per year)
- $164
- Code books
- —
So the minimum for the exam with two attempts and one year of membership is $728 (about $730), plus code books. Training is a separate cost: AAPC’s own CPC courses start at $2,799, while Indian institutes charge in rupees.
BCRI’s medical coding course costs ₹25,000 for 3 months and prepares you for the CPC exam. The AAPC exam fee and membership are paid directly to AAPC and are not part of the course fee.
Tip: buy the 2-attempt voucher
The second attempt costs only $74 more than a single attempt. It removes the pressure of a one-shot exam.
Who can take the CPC exam?
AAPC’s CPC page does not list a degree requirement. What it does expect is a strong grasp of medical terminology, anatomy and pathophysiology — AAPC recommends a fundamentals course first if you are new to these subjects.
In India, most CPC candidates are graduates in nursing, pharmacy, life sciences, dental, AYUSH or physiotherapy, because these degrees already cover anatomy and disease. Read medical coding for life science graduates to see how each subject maps to coding.
CPC-A: what the “A” means and how to remove it
If you pass the CPC exam without two years of coding experience, AAPC adds an “A” for apprentice: your credential reads CPC-A. AAPC says every new coder starts this way and that it is a temporary step. To remove the “A”, complete one of these routes:
- 1
Two years of coding employment
Verified by your employer(s) on company letterhead. Experience before and after certification counts, and externships are accepted.
- 2
One year of employment + education
One verified year of coding work plus AAPC’s Practicode programme or an 80-hour coding course (AAPC’s, or an equivalent course from an instructor or school).
- 3
Practicode + 80-hour coding course
Practicode requires at least 600 practice cases with an overall score of 70% or more.
- 4
AAPC’s Job-Ready Program
AAPC’s paid programme, which includes apprentice removal in its curriculum.
Rules can change, so confirm the current details on AAPC’s how to remove your A page before you apply.
How to prepare for the CPC exam
AAPC says most people complete the coursework and pass the exam in 4 to 8 months. A structured plan looks like this:
- 1
1. Build the base
Medical terminology, anatomy and disease processes — the language of every patient record.
- 2
2. Learn the code sets
ICD-10-CM guidelines and chapters, CPT sections (surgery, radiology, lab, medicine, E/M) with modifiers, and HCPCS Level II.
- 3
3. Practise on real cases
Code full patient cases, not just single terms. Speed comes from working through many records.
- 4
4. Take timed mock exams
Sit full 100-question mocks in 4 hours. Review every wrong answer and the guideline behind it.
- 5
5. Prepare your books
Tab and highlight your current-year CPT, ICD-10-CM and HCPCS books. On exam day, use them instead of memory.
For a week-by-week version, see the 12-week study plan.
How to keep your CPC certification
CPC is not a one-time certificate. To keep it active, AAPC requires you to renew your membership every year and earn 36 continuing education units (CEUs) every two years, for example through webinars, workshops and courses.
Is CPC certification worth it in India?
Many Indian medical coding jobs are on US healthcare projects, where AAPC’s CPC is widely recognised. Not every employer requires it for trainee roles, but it strengthens your profile, and AmbitionBox lists CPC among the top skills on medical coder profiles.
Market pay for medical coders in India, from AmbitionBox (20.2k salaries, updated 25 October 2026) — market data, not BCRI placement figures:
Typical salary (per year)
- 0–1 year
- ₹2.6 – 2.8 lakh
- 1–3 years
- ₹3.2 – 3.6 lakh
- 3–6 years
- ₹4.2 – 4.6 lakh
In the US, AAPC reports that CPCs earn $23–32 an hour, depending on location, experience and further credentials. For pay by city and job level in India, see medical coder salary in India. For the career path and job roles, read is medical coding a good career?
CPC vs other medical coding certifications
Awarded by
- CPC — Certified Professional Coder
- AAPC
- COC — Certified Outpatient Coder
- AAPC
- CCA — Certified Coding Associate
- AHIMA
- CCS — Certified Coding Specialist
- AHIMA
Best for
- CPC — Certified Professional Coder
- Physician, outpatient and BPO/RCM coding — the usual first credential
- COC — Certified Outpatient Coder
- Hospital outpatient (facility) coding
- CCA — Certified Coding Associate
- An entry-level alternative
- CCS — Certified Coding Specialist
- Hospital inpatient coding, usually after some experience
Exam details for CCA and CCS are in our guide to medical coding certifications.
FAQs
How much does CPC certification cost in India?
AAPC charges in US dollars: $425 for one exam attempt or $499 for two, plus $229 a year for membership ($400, $475 and $164 for students), checked 27 October 2026. The rupee amount depends on the exchange rate. Code books and training cost extra.
Does BCRI give CPC certification?
No. Only AAPC awards the CPC credential, after you pass its exam. BCRI’s medical coding course prepares you for the exam and gives you a BCRI course completion certificate.
Can I take the CPC exam online from India?
AAPC offers the exam at home with a live remote proctor, or at a testing centre. Its pages do not list supported countries, so check your location and available slots in your AAPC account before you buy the voucher.
What is the passing score for the CPC exam?
70%. The exam has 100 multiple-choice questions, so you need at least 70 correct answers within 4 hours.
How many attempts do I get?
It depends on your voucher: a single-attempt voucher gives one attempt and a two-attempt bundle gives two. The two-attempt voucher costs $74 more.
Is the CPC exam hard?
It is demanding mainly because of time: 100 questions in 4 hours, many based on full patient cases. Candidates who practise timed mock exams and know how to use their code books quickly do best.
Do I need a degree to take the CPC exam?
AAPC’s CPC page does not list a degree requirement, but it expects strong knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and pathophysiology. In India, most candidates are graduates in nursing, pharmacy, life sciences or other health fields.
What is CPC-A?
CPC-A means you passed the CPC exam but have less than two years of coding experience. The “A” (apprentice) is removed once you complete one of AAPC’s routes, such as two years of verified coding work.
How long is CPC certification valid?
It stays active as long as you renew your AAPC membership every year and earn 36 continuing education units every two years.