AAPC Practice Test

This page is for candidates preparing for AAPC coding certification, with exam logistics focused on the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam. Use the free practice sets to review coding decisions, compare answer choices, and identify topics that need more study. Worked examples explain the supplied answers, while the exam overview covers verified fees, delivery options, timing, and apprenticeship status. Practice Test Geeks uses AI tools to write its content.

AAPC Exam at a Glance

What changed for AAPC in 2026

• Oct 25, 2026: Time limit (CPC) changed to 4 hours (previously 4 hours, one sitting).^[1]
• Oct 17, 2026: Delivery (CPC) changed to Online with live remote proctor or at a testing center (previously Online with a live remote proctor or at a testing center).^[1]

What the AAPC is and how it works

According to AAPC, “The "A" indicates apprenticeship status, which requires two years of experience to graduate from the designation.”^[5]

AAPC offers the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) certification. This page brings together coding practice and CPC exam logistics. The linked Certified Inpatient Coder practice set is a separate certification resource; the CPC details here should not be applied to it.

The CPC exam includes 100 multiple-choice questions, with 4 hours to finish. You can take it online at home with a live remote proctor or on a computer at a testing center. AAPC says results are available within 7–10 business days. The verified information supplied for this page does not establish the passing score or scoring method. Consult AAPC’s official CPC certification page for those details.

A CPC exam voucher costs $425 for 1 attempt or $499 for 2 attempts. Student pricing is $400 for 1 attempt. The voucher must be used within 1 year of purchase or the payment is forfeited. AAPC’s CPC page says to register at least 3 weeks before the exam date.

The CPC-A designation indicates apprenticeship status, with 2 years of coding experience required to graduate from that designation. Maintaining CPC certification requires annual AAPC membership and 36 CEUs every 2 years. Before purchasing, check AAPC’s official CPC page and its support pages on exam costs, voucher validity, and apprentice status for the rules relevant to your plans.

Worked examples: how to reason through AAPC questions

These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.

Example 1

Question: A surgeon performs a direct laryngoscopy under general anesthesia and uses an operating microscope to excise a polyp from the vocal cord. Which CPT® code should be reported for this procedure?

1. 31540
2. 31541
3. 31535
4. 31525

Answer: B. 31541

Explanation:

B is correct: 31541. The deciding details are direct operative laryngoscopy, excision of a vocal cord polyp, and use of an operating microscope. Together, these match the supplied description of 31541. General anesthesia does not distinguish the choices here.

A, 31540, describes the excision without the microscope detail. C, 31535, describes a biopsy rather than the documented excision. D, 31525, describes a diagnostic procedure rather than operative removal.

The rule to remember is to match both the procedure’s purpose and the documented technique. Recognizing laryngoscopy alone is not enough; the excision and microscope determine the choice in this example.

Example 2

Question: During the global period, a patient's related postoperative office visit is billed. How should this be handled?

1. Bill the visit with modifier -24
2. The visit is included in the global package and is not billed separately
3. Bill the visit with modifier -25
4. Bill the visit with modifier -79

Answer: B. The visit is included in the global package and is not billed separately

Explanation:

B is correct: the related postoperative office visit is included in the global surgical package and is not billed separately. The decisive word is related; the question describes postoperative care connected to the surgery during its global period.

A is wrong because modifier -24 concerns an unrelated evaluation and management service during the postoperative period. C is wrong because modifier -25 does not make routine related postoperative care separately billable. D is wrong because modifier -79 concerns an unrelated procedure, not this related office visit.

The general rule is to establish the service’s relationship to the surgery before considering a modifier. A modifier should reflect the documented circumstances.

Example 3

Question: A physician performs Mohs micrographic surgery on a patient's nose for a recurrent basal cell carcinoma. The first stage involves the removal of 5 tissue blocks. The second stage involves the removal of 3 additional tissue blocks. Which CPT codes should be reported for this procedure?

1. 17311, 17312
2. 17313, 17314
3. 17311, 17312, 17315
4. 17311 x 2

Answer: A. 17311, 17312

Explanation:

A is correct: 17311, 17312. The nose is within the head region. In this example, 17311 describes the first Mohs stage, including up to 5 tissue blocks, and 17312 describes the additional stage, also within that block limit. The second stage contains 3 blocks.

B uses 17313 and 17314, which do not match the anatomic region described. C adds 17315 even though neither stage exceeds the included block allowance. D repeats 17311 instead of using the additional-stage code.

The general rule is to track the anatomic site, stage, and blocks within each stage separately. Do not combine blocks across stages when deciding whether an additional block code is needed.

How to use these practice tests

Begin with the Certified Professional Coder practice set. For each uncertain answer, record what caused the difficulty: interpreting the documentation, choosing a code family, applying a guideline, or distinguishing similar options. Treat these notes as your study priorities.

Choose a focused set that matches the problem. Use evaluation and management coding for visit-related decisions, surgical package and global period rules for postoperative scenarios, or respiratory system procedures for related procedural practice.

Before reading an explanation, identify the wording that supports your choice and explain why the alternatives do not fit. Check uncertain rules against the applicable coding references and AAPC’s official preparation material. If an explanation conflicts with those sources, resolve the discrepancy before relying on it.

Return to missed topics and explain the rule without copying the answer. These practice categories are not a verified official exam blueprint. Use AAPC’s official outline to check coverage, then confirm delivery arrangements, registration timing, and voucher validity before scheduling.

Sources & last verified

1. AAPC — number of questions, time limit, delivery, score release (official source). “The CPC exam includes 100 multiple-choice questions” Verified Oct 25, 2026.
2. AAPC — exam fee, retake fee (official source). “Core exams: $425 for 1 attempt, $499 for 2 attempts.” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 17, 2026.
3. AAPC — retake policy (official source). “The voucher must be used within one year of your purchase date or your payment will be forfeited.” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 17, 2026.
4. AAPC — renewal, registration deadline (official source). “earn 36 continuing education units (CEUs) every two years.” Verified Oct 25, 2026.
5. AAPC — eligibility (official source). “The "A" indicates apprenticeship status, which requires two years of experience to graduate from the designation.” Verified Oct 25, 2026 · source checked Oct 17, 2026.

How we verify: editorial & fact-checking policy. Report an error: contact us.