Certified Professional Coder (CPC) Cost
At a glance
- Exam fee
- $499
- Issuing body
- AAPC
- Domain
- Healthcare
- Validity
- Annual CEUs
Informational only — not financial or career advice. Exam fees and certification requirements change, and the figures here are accurate only as of the listed verification date. Confirm the current fee and rules directly with the certifying body before you register or budget. We report the official-body exam fee for a single attempt; it excludes prep courses, materials and retakes, and is not the total cost of certifying.
The Certified Professional Coder (CPC) credential is issued by the American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC). The base examination fee, as of June 2026, is $499 for non-members or $399 for AAPC members, and covers a single examination attempt only. This fee does not include third-party training programs, study materials, prep courses, or retake examinations beyond the included attempt. Candidates should verify the current fee directly with the AAPC before budgeting or registering, as certification fees are subject to change.
The CPC credential most often targets professionals in medical coding and records management roles. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for medical records specialists was $50,250. This figure represents the typical wage for the occupation and is not a guaranteed salary or promised increase from earning the certification. Individuals should contact the AAPC's official website for complete information regarding examination eligibility, current fees, renewal requirements, and other credential details.
Related pay (occupation median). The U.S. BLS reports a median annual wage of $50,250 (typically $35,780–$80,950 from the 10th to the 90th percentile) for Medical Records Specialists, the occupation this certification most often targets. That is the occupation’s pay, not a guaranteed lift from the certificate — actual pay depends on role, employer, location and experience. Source: BLS OEWS national file.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Certification | Certified Professional Coder (CPC) |
| Issuing body | AAPC |
| Base exam fee | $499 |
| Fee notes | non-member $499 / member $399; 1 free retake |
| Prerequisites | None (AAPC membership $299/yr to certify) |
| Validity / renewal | Annual CEUs |
What this fee does and doesn’t include
The figure here is the official-body exam fee for a single attempt. It does not include third-party training, prep courses, study materials, or retake fees — those are separate and vary by provider. Membership-tiered bodies may offer a lower member rate (noted above). Confirm the live fee on the issuer’s registration page before budgeting.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam?
Does this include a prep course?
Exam fee compiled from issuer’s registration page →, verified June 2026. How we compile this. Confirm the current fee before you pay — bodies re-price periodically.
Prerequisites & how to register → · Prep guide → · Compare Healthcare certs →