CPC Exam Structure Explained – Complete Guide (2025 Edition)
If you're planning to take the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam by AAPC, understanding the exam structure is your first step toward success. At The Coding Doctors (TCD), we’ve helped hundreds of students become certified with structured training — and it all begins with decoding the exam format.
Let’s break it down for you.
🔍 What is the CPC Exam?
The CPC exam is a credentialing exam conducted by AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders) to certify your knowledge and skills in medical coding, especially for outpatient settings. It's the most recognized certification to enter the RCM (Revenue Cycle Management) industry.
📊 CPC Exam Structure at a Glance (2025)
| Component | Details |
| Total Questions | 100 multiple-choice questions |
| Time Allotted | 4 hours |
| Passing Score | 70% (i.e., 70 correct out of 100) |
| Mode | Online (Live Remote Proctor) or In-person |
| Open Book? | Yes (You can carry printed CPT, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS books) |
🧠 Key Sections in the CPC Exam
The exam tests your knowledge across various coding domains:
- 10,000 Series CPT – Surgery (Integumentary, Musculoskeletal, Respiratory, etc.)
- 20,000–60,000 Series CPT – All body systems surgeries
- Evaluation and Management (E/M)
- Anesthesia
- Radiology
- Pathology and Laboratory
- Medicine
- ICD-10-CM
- HCPCS Level II
- Coding Guidelines, Compliance, and Regulatory Knowledge
Each section will have a mix of scenario-based and straightforward questions.
🧾 Books Allowed in CPC Exam
You’re allowed to carry:
- AMA CPT® Professional Edition
- ICD-10-CM Book
- HCPCS Level II
❗ Tip: Highlighting, underlining, and tabs are allowed — but no handwritten notes. (This is for US only. Candidates taking exam in India will be provided with book by the exam center).
⏱️ Time Management Strategy
You get roughly 2.4 minutes per question. Most students struggle because they don’t practice pacing. At TCD, our mock exams and real-time reviews are designed to simulate the exact CPC experience.
💡 Bonus Tips to Crack CPC Exam
✅ Practice at least 10 full-length mocks before the exam.
✅ Understand modifier usage, especially 25, 59, 51.
✅ Don’t memorize — learn to interpret questions.
✅ Focus more on surgery coding and E/M, as they carry weight.
🎯 Why CPC Certification Matters
With CPC, you can work as:
- Medical Coder
- Coding Auditor
- Denials Analyst
- RCM Executive
- Coding Trainer
📈 Certified coders earn up to 40% more than non-certified coders (Source: AAPC Salary Survey)
🚀 Final Words
The CPC exam might look tough, but with the right training and practice — it's achievable. If you're serious about cracking it, check out our Basic Medical Coding course and
CPC coaching programs designed specifically for Indian students.
📞 Ready to Start?
Join our upcoming batch or book a free counselling session with our mentor at TCD.
Launch your Graphy