Certified Professional Coder (CPC) Exam Preparation

Certified Professional Coder (CPC) Exam Preparation

Continuing Education Course Overview

The Certified Professional Coder (CPC) Exam Preparation course is designed for individuals who want to strengthen their medical coding knowledge and prepare for the AAPC Certified Professional Coder (CPC®) exam. The course focuses on the three primary coding systems used in professional medical coding: CPT®, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II.

The course combines four weeks of live, instructor-led online instruction with self-paced practice through AAPC's Practicode practicum. Students review key coding concepts, complete guided exercises and CPC-style practice questions, and apply coding principles to realistic medical documentation.

Upon successful completion of all AIMS Education course requirements, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion.

Certified Professional Coder Exam Preparation Course Content

The CPC Exam Preparation course provides a focused review of ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS Level II coding, with emphasis on interpreting coding guidelines, navigating coding manuals efficiently, and selecting accurate diagnosis and procedure codes from provider documentation.

Students also review modifiers, Evaluation and Management (E/M) coding, surgical procedures, medical terminology, anatomy, and coding compliance. Guided exercises, case-based activities, and timed CPC-style practice questions help reinforce coding accuracy, efficiency, and exam time-management skills.

Following the instructor-led portion of the course, students complete AAPC's Practicode practicum, which includes medical cases and specialty assessments designed to provide additional self-paced coding practice using realistic documentation.

CE Course Format and Length

The CPC Exam Preparation course is delivered in two parts and combines live online instruction with self-paced coding practice.

Part One: Live Online Instruction
The first part of the course includes 36 hours of synchronous, fully online instruction completed over four weeks. Students attend class three days per week for three hours per day. Live sessions include instructor-led presentations, coding activities, homework assignments, and weekly assessments designed to reinforce key concepts and support exam preparation.

• Course Length: 4 weeks
• Schedule: 3 days per week
• Class Time: 3 hours per day
• Total Instructional Hours: 36 hours
• Delivery Format: Live, synchronous online instruction

Part Two: Self-Paced Practicode Practice
After completing the instructor-led portion of the course, students continue with asynchronous, self-paced practice through Practicode, a web-based coding practicum offered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). Students must complete the Practicode portion within 90 days. The practicum provides additional opportunities to apply coding knowledge through realistic medical coding cases and specialty-based assessments.

CPC Preparation Course Goals/Objectives

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Apply ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS Level II coding guidelines.
• Accurately assign diagnosis and procedure codes based on provider documentation.
• Efficiently navigate and use CPT, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II coding manuals.
• Apply appropriate modifiers based on coding scenarios and documentation.
• Interpret medical terminology, anatomy, and operative reports as they relate to coding.
• Complete CPC-style practice questions within a timed setting.
• Identify areas for improvement and strengthen overall exam readiness.

What’s Included in Course Tuition

Course tuition includes the following AAPC resources and exam-related benefits:

• One Year of AAPC membership
• Two attempts at the CPC certification exam
• Practicode subscription for the required coding practicum
• Access to the Codify coding reference app

These resources are included to support students throughout the course, practicum, and CPC exam preparation process.

CPC Certification Exam and Apprentice Designation

The Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam is administered by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). AAPC does not require candidates to have a specific amount of professional coding experience or to complete a particular educational program before taking the CPC exam. Candidates must meet AAPC's current exam registration and testing requirements.

Individuals who pass the CPC exam but have not satisfied AAPC's experience requirements typically receive the CPC-A (Certified Professional Coder–Apprentice) designation. AAPC requires the equivalent of two years of qualifying coding experience, education, or approved practicum experience to remove the Apprentice designation.

Students who successfully complete all requirements of the AIMS Education CPC Exam Preparation continuing education course and pass the CPC exam will meet the applicable requirements for removal of the Apprentice designation, subject to AAPC's credentialing and verification process.

Have questions about the course, schedule, or enrollment process? Register for an upcoming CE course information session.