After the course

Finish the lessons, checkpoints, capstone and readiness work before using this page as your scheduling checklist. A course completion record and an AAPC credential are different things.

Arrange the official exam

1. Review your course evidence and resolve weak areas.

2. Obtain the proper authorized CPT Professional, ICD-10-CM and HCPCS Level II books. Confirm the permitted editions and print or eBook choice. [aapc-exam; aapc-book-help]

3. Recheck the current AAPC exam rules and membership requirements. Active membership is required under the current published guidance. [aapc-pricing-help]

4. Review the actual voucher price, number of attempts, terms and separate membership cost before purchase. Prices and promotions change; this free course does not include an exam voucher. [aapc-pricing-help]

5. Follow the official scheduling instructions for at-home or testing-center delivery. A seat shown in the locator is not a booked appointment. [aapc-exam; aapc-locate]

6. Complete the exam-day checklist and take the official examination. AAPC, not this site, determines the official result and credential status.

Plan for the apprentice requirement

Passing the exam does not automatically establish the required experience. AAPC's apprentice-removal guidance describes a two-year coding-experience requirement and accepted routes involving documented work, qualifying education and its practical program. Use the current application instructions for your situation. [aapc-apprentice]

Ask AAPC what evidence it accepts before purchasing education solely for experience credit. The fact that some qualifying education can count does not mean this website qualifies. This course makes no approved contact-hour, CEU or apprentice-removal claim.

Keep employer documentation and accepted education records with their actual dates. Describe a synthetic course portfolio as practice, not paid coding experience. On a résumé, use only the credential and status actually awarded to you.

Maintain the credential you earn

For one credential, AAPC currently lists 36 CEUs per two-year period and annual membership dues. Initial proration, additional credentials and individual circumstances can affect the requirement or reporting dates. Check your account and the current policy; do not start a reporting clock from a date you assumed. [aapc-ceu-policy]

Keep approved completion evidence and check that an activity qualifies before counting it. This course's local certificate is a personal learning record, not an approved CEU certificate.

Make a concrete next step

Compare actual job descriptions with the skills and evidence you have. Record what each employer requires and what it merely prefers. Use your fictional portfolio to explain how you verified a diagnosis, identified included work or recognized missing documentation. Do not include real patient information.

Course completion does not guarantee exam passage, employment or acceptance of experience evidence. It gives you a body of practice work to review and describe honestly.

Official references

1. AAPC — Taking the CPC exam. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
2. AAPC — What code books do I need for my AAPC certification exam?. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
3. AAPC — Certification Exam and Membership Pricing. Public guidance accessed September 12, 2026; appointment-specific recheck required. Accessed 2026-09-12.
4. AAPC — Locate a testing center. Public guidance accessed September 12, 2026; appointment-specific recheck required. Accessed 2026-09-12.
5. AAPC — How can I remove the apprentice designation from my CPC certification?. 2026. Accessed 2026-09-10.
6. AAPC — Continuing Education Unit Policy. Public guidance accessed September 12, 2026; appointment-specific recheck required. Accessed 2026-09-12.