ICD-10 Medical Coding Certification Guide 2026: CPC Exam Format, Open-Book Rules, Costs, Quiz, and AI Tutor
ICD-10-CM is not a standalone certification. It is one of three code sets tested by the credential most coders actually sit — the AAPC Certified Professional Coder exam, which also covers CPT and HCPCS Level II. That distinction matters when you are budgeting and choosing prep. This page answers the questions coding candidates actually ask about the CPC exam, including the open-book rule that changes how you should practise.
The CPC exam is 100 multiple-choice questions in 4 hours, and you need 70% — at least 70 correct — to pass. It is open book: approved CPT, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II code books are permitted. Exam vouchers start at $425, and it can be taken at a testing center or online at home with a live remote proctor.
Last updated on August 1, 2026
How we verified this page
Exam format, timing, passing score, open-book policy, and pricing come from AAPC CPC certification pages. Wage data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. Note that AAPC is one of several certifying bodies in medical coding; AHIMA offers separate credentials with different requirements.
Official CPC exam facts
| Fact | Current detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| What ICD-10-CM is here | One of three code sets tested by the CPC, alongside CPT and HCPCS Level II — not a separate certification | AAPC CPC certification |
| Number of questions | 100 multiple-choice questions | AAPC taking the CPC exam |
| Time limit | 4 hours | AAPC taking the CPC exam |
| Passing score | 70% or higher — at least 70 of the 100 questions correct | AAPC passing score guidance |
| Open book | Approved CPT, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II code books are permitted during the exam | AAPC taking the CPC exam |
| Exam cost | Exam vouchers starting at $425 | AAPC CPC certification |
| Delivery | Online at home with a live remote proctor, or at a testing center | AAPC CPC certification |
| Optional training cost | AAPC self-paced and instructor-led prep courses start at $3,099 and are not required to sit the exam | AAPC CPC certification |
Medical coding salary benchmark
Coding credentials map most directly to the records and health information role below.
| Role / benchmark | Pay | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Medical records specialists | $50,250 median annual wage | 2024 figure; typical entry is a postsecondary nondegree award BLS Medical Records Specialists |
Related jobs for this exam path
Use the exam-specific jobs page to see the role families, live search links, and hiring context tied to this certification or study path.
Is there a certification just for ICD-10 coding?
Not really — ICD-10-CM is tested as part of broader coding credentials.
The CPC, the most widely held coding credential, tests ICD-10-CM alongside CPT and HCPCS Level II because outpatient and physician coding requires all three together. Searching for an ICD-10-only certification generally leads either to a component of a broader credential or to a training course rather than a certification.
The CPC is open book — does that make it easier?
It changes what is tested from recall to navigation speed.
You may bring approved CPT, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS Level II code books. With 100 questions in 4 hours you have about 2 minutes 24 seconds each, and most of that is spent locating and verifying a code rather than recalling it. That makes physical familiarity with your own books — tabs, margin notes, knowing which index leads where — a scored skill rather than a study aid.
What does it actually cost to get CPC certified?
Exam vouchers start at $425. Training is optional and much more expensive.
AAPC prices exam vouchers from $425 and prep courses from $3,099. The training is not a prerequisite for sitting the exam, so the two figures should be evaluated separately — candidates with coding experience or another prep route pay only the exam cost.
What score do I need to pass?
70%, meaning at least 70 of 100 questions correct.
Unlike scaled-score exams such as the PTCE or NCLEX, the CPC uses a straightforward percentage threshold, so practice-test percentages translate directly to the real standard. That makes timed full-length practice unusually informative for this exam.
How to use this cluster
Free quiz
Start with the quiz while your baseline is still honest. That gives the rest of this page a real job.
Open →Best guide article
Use the strongest article first, then expand only into the narrower guides that solve your specific weakness.
Open →AI tutor
The tutor is the explanation layer. It turns missed questions and vague uncertainty into a concrete next-step plan.
Open →Jobs page
See the related role families, live search links, and hiring intent connected to this exam cluster.
Open →Complete article library
Every article below belongs to the ICD-10-CM/PCS Coding cluster. The grouping is by funnel stage so the page works both as a study hub and as a cleaner internal-link destination.
Consideration
Useful supporting guide for this exam cluster when you need a deeper explanation than the main pillar can provide.
Official resources
What the credential covers, delivery options, and current voucher pricing.
Question count, timing, and the approved code book rules.
The 70% threshold, stated by AAPC directly.
External resources and benchmarks
Neutral wage and employment data for coding and records roles.
Next move
Use the quiz, the guide, and the tutor as one study loop
These pillar pages are meant to reduce scattered browsing. Start with the quiz, move into the article that matches your weakness, then use the tutor to get targeted feedback until the mistake pattern changes.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take the CPC exam at home?
Yes. AAPC offers the exam online at home with a live remote proctor, as well as at testing centers.
Do I have to buy AAPC training to sit the exam?
No. Training courses start at $3,099 but are optional. The exam voucher, starting at $425, is the only required purchase.