Need Practice for the Real Thing? Free CPC (Certified Professional Coder) Practice Exam (2023)

Preparing for the CPC can be daunting - but it doesn't have to be!

We've prepared a full-length 100-question CPC practice exam that will prepare you for the real thing.

Sit down with a block of time and take the full 4-hour test, or bite off some questions to practice in between the rest of your busy life.

Short on time? Click here to get started on the exam right away.

What is on the CPC exam?

The CPC exam consists of 100 questions drawn from 17 categories.

Most questions present a coding scenario to test proper application of CPT® procedure codes, HCPCS Level II supply codes, and ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. The remaining questions cover medical billing and coding procedures, terminology, the insurance industry, and healthcare laws like HIPAA.

The categories covered on the exam are:

• CPT 10000 - Integumentary System (Skin, nails, hair)
• CPT 20000 - Musculoskeletal System
• CPT 30000 - Respiratory System
• CPT 40000 - Digestive
• CPT 50000 - Reproductive
• CPT 60000 - Nervous system
• Anesthesia
• Radiology
• Lab pathology (Panels, drug testing, chemistry, transfusions)
• Medical specialties (Immunizations, psychiatry, ophthalmology, cardivascular, pulmonary, genetics, chemotherapy)
• Medical Terminology
• Anatomy & Physiology
• HCPCS Level II (Medicare-related codes)
• ICD-10-CM Coding
• Coding Guidelines (both ICD & CPT)
• Compliance and Regulations (Medicare, HIPAA, national/local coverage, reimbursement, and RVUs)
• Healthcare Law & Ethics

The test lasts 4 hours and you must correctly answer at least 70% of the exam questions to pass.

What resources can I use for the free practice CPC exam?

The test is open book, and you may use approved CPT®, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II code books.

(We recommend the official AAPC books:

• AMA's CPT^® Professional Edition (current year)
• ICD-10-CM (current year)
• HCPCS Level II (current year)

It's best to practice in the same environment in which you will actually take the real test. Electronic devices with an on/off switch (cell phones, smart phones, tablets, etc.) are not allowed into the examination room.

How should I use the Free CPC Practice Test?

Set yourself up in a quiet area where you can focus for 4 hours. Treat the practice test exactly how you would the real thing - with focus, mood, having eaten, eliminate distraction, and have some water nearby. Close your door if possible and let people know you will be studying for an important test and would greatly appreciate no distractions.

Taking it the same way you would take the real test will help you focus and take the practice exam seriously, and will help you build up the test-taking ability that will serve you well on your actual Exam Day.

Are there other CPC resources that you recommend?

Yes! Check out our page for more free CPC exam questions and resources, and also check out the AAPC's official practice tests and study guide. While they can be quite pricey (up to $2670 for the full prep course), the practice tests are fully worth it, as they are the closest thing you can get to an official test made by the exam creators.

For those studying on a budget or simply looking for extra affordable practice, Gunnar Bengtsson's book contains 150 CPC exam questions with explanations. His book is highly rated, with over 300+ 5-star ratings, and people rave about how it helped them prepare.

One note of caution: buyers say this book contains questions that are even harder than the actual CPC - which is amazing, because it shows that if you can prepare for Gunnar's book, the actual CPC will be easy in comparison.

For those worried about difficulty, many readers say that the difficulty helped them, because they were able to prepare better and ended up learning the material much better than if they just studied themselves. It's good to experience a little challenge. To make sure the challenge results in learning, though, readers say to make sure to read the rationales (explanations), and to do a little bit of review every day to make the most of this book's practice.

Free CPC Practice Exam (2023)

Ready to start the test?

Click here to start the Free CPC Practice Exam (2023).

All done? Congrats! Let's reflect on your performance

Remember, a score of 70% is passing.

Do you feel like you could have done this well or better, every time?

Whether you passed with flying colors, or you feel like you could have done better, more practice is always helpful to make sure you get the best score you can on the CPC, and continue on your medical billing and coding journey.

Click here for our additional Certified Professional Coder practice tests and practice materials. We're cheering for you!