How to Become a CPC: The Certification Process Step by Step
Becoming a CPC takes four steps in order: join AAPC as a member, prepare using the exam’s content domains as your map, pass the 100-question CPC exam with a score of 70% or higher, and then verify your work experience, either before or after the exam, to convert from CPC-A to full CPC status. Most people complete the whole process in 4 to 8 months (AAPC: How long does it take to become a certified medical coder?, accessed 2026-07-18).
The confusing part isn’t any single step, it’s that passing the exam and becoming a full CPC are two separate milestones. A lot of people assume the exam is the finish line and are surprised to see “CPC-A” on their certificate instead of “CPC.” Understanding that split up front saves you from a confusing surprise later.
(CPC Prep is not affiliated with or endorsed by AAPC. This article describes the general certification process; it does not reproduce any AAPC exam content.)
Step 1: Join AAPC
AAPC membership is required before you can register for the CPC exam. Membership runs roughly $229 a year as of 2026 and needs to stay current, both when you register and when your exam results are released.
Step 2: Meet the study prerequisite before sitting
You don’t need prior professional experience to register for the exam itself, but AAPC does expect you to have covered the material through either an approved training program or on-the-job exposure to CPT, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II coding before you sit. See CPC exam requirements for exactly what that prerequisite looks like in practice, and CPC exam prep for how to structure the study itself.
Step 3: Register and pass the exam
The CPC exam is 100 multiple-choice questions, split into two parts within a 4-hour session, open-book with approved current-year manuals, and requires a 70% score. A single-attempt voucher costs $425; a two-attempt bundle costs $499. Full registration mechanics, including voucher validity and the annual blackout period, are on how to register for the CPC exam.
| Step | What happens | Where the detail lives |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Join AAPC | Pay annual membership, ~$229/year | CPC exam cost |
| 2. Meet study prerequisite | Approved training or documented coding exposure | CPC exam requirements |
| 3. Pass the exam | 100 questions, 4 hours, 70% to pass | CPC exam |
| 4. Verify experience | Two years on-the-job, or CPC-A until you do | CPC vs CPC-A |
Step 4: Convert from CPC-A to full CPC (if you need to)
If you pass without two years of verifiable on-the-job coding experience, AAPC certifies you as a CPC-A instead of a full CPC. To remove the “A,” you submit proof through one of three routes: two years of verified on-the-job experience, one year of experience plus AAPC’s 80-hour coding course or its Practicode program, or Practicode alone, which requires coding 600 real-world clinical cases at a 70% or higher overall score. Processing typically takes 2 to 4 weeks once everything’s submitted. The full mechanics of each pathway are covered on CPC vs CPC-A.
Does the process change if you already work in healthcare?
Somewhat. If you’re already coding on the job in some capacity, even informally, that experience may count directly toward the two-year requirement once verified by an employer letter. If you’re coming from a clinical role (nursing, medical assisting) without direct coding experience, that clinical background helps with terminology and anatomy but doesn’t substitute for the coding-specific experience requirement.
What happens right after you pass?
You receive your certificate and can start using the CPC or CPC-A designation professionally, depending on your experience status at that point. From there, the clock starts on your CEU cycle: 36 continuing education units due every two years to keep the credential active, alongside your annual AAPC membership. See CPC certification renewal and CEUs for what actually counts toward that requirement.
Before you register for the real exam, check your baseline on the free CPC practice exam, and keep the CPC Exam Prep Cheat Sheet handy for the fees and deadlines at each step.
FAQ
Do I need a degree to become a CPC? No. An associate’s degree is recommended by AAPC but not required to register for the exam or hold the credential.
What’s the difference between passing the exam and becoming a full CPC? Passing the exam gets you certified, but only as a CPC-A unless you can verify two years of on-the-job coding experience. Full CPC status requires that experience verification separately.
How long does the whole process take? Most people complete study, the exam, and initial certification in 4 to 8 months, though converting from CPC-A to full CPC can take additional time depending on how quickly you build the required experience.
Can I start working before I have full CPC status? Yes. Many employers hire CPC-A candidates directly, since the apprentice designation still demonstrates you passed the exam; the experience you gain on the job is often exactly what removes the “A” later.
Do I need AAPC membership to become a CPC? Yes. Membership is required both to register for the exam and to maintain your certification afterward.
Bottom line: becoming a CPC means joining AAPC, studying the exam’s actual content weighting, passing a 100-question open-book exam, and then separately verifying two years of coding experience to move from CPC-A to full CPC status.