CPC Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the CPC exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
📋 CPC Exam Format at a Glance
📚 CPC Topics to Study (38)
✍️ Sample CPC Questions & Answers
1. What does COBRA provide to employees?
The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) gives workers and their families who lose their health benefits the right to choose to continue group health benefits provided by their group health plan for limited periods. This continuation coverage is available under specific circumstances, such as job loss, reduction in hours, or other qualifying events, ensuring a temporary bridge for health coverage.
2. What is a fiduciary breach?
A fiduciary breach occurs when an individual or entity with fiduciary responsibility fails to uphold their legal and ethical duties to a retirement plan. This typically involves making decisions or taking actions that are not solely in the best interest of the plan participants and beneficiaries. Such a failure can lead to financial harm for participants, non-compliance with regulations, and potential legal consequences for the fiduciary.
3. A defined benefit plan terminates in a standard termination. Which agency must the plan sponsor notify before distributing plan assets?
In a standard termination, the plan sponsor must file a Notice of Intent to Terminate (NOIT) and then a Standard Termination Notice with the PBGC before distributing assets.
4. The ACP (Actual Contribution Percentage) test under IRC Section 401(m) applies to which types of contributions made to a 401(k) plan?
The ACP test applies to employer matching contributions and voluntary after-tax employee contributions, which are separate from elective deferrals tested under the ADP test.
5. Under ERISA's duty of loyalty, a plan fiduciary must act:
ERISA's duty of loyalty requires fiduciaries to act solely in the interest of plan participants and beneficiaries, excluding consideration of employer or other party interests.
6. Which distribution is eligible for rollover to an IRA or another qualified plan?
Eligible rollover distributions include most plan distributions except RMDs, hardship distributions, SEPPs, and certain other specified payments.