Certified Coding Associate Practice Exam

The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) developed the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam to assess entry-level medical coders.

Click “Start Test” above to take a free CCA practice test!

Certified Coding Associate Exam Eligibility

The only true requirement for taking the CCA exam is a high school diploma or some equivalent. However, AHIMA strongly recommends that you also have at least one of the following:

• At least six months of coding experience
• Completion of an AHIMA-approved PCAP program
• Completion of a coding training program that includes medical terminology, basic CPT coding, anatomy and physiology, and basic ICD diagnostic/procedural coding

Certified Coding Associate Exam Outline

The CCA exam contains 105 questions, 15 of which are unscored, and you will be given a time limit of 2 hours. The unscored questions are used to evaluate questions for future versions of the exam, and you will not know which questions are scored or unscored.

The exam is split into six content domains:

1. Clinical Classification Systems (30%-34%)

• Application of inpatient and outpatient coding guidelines
• Using appropriate modifiers
• Interpreting healthcare data for code assignment
• Assigning inpatient, outpatient, and physician codes
• Consulting reference materials to facilitate code assignment
• Sequencing codes according to the healthcare setting
• Abstracting pertinent information from medical records
• Determining an evaluation and management level

2. Reimbursement Methodologies (21%-25%)

• Evaluating and reconciling NCCI edits
• Communicating with the physician to clarify documentation
• Understanding APC and DRG methodology
• Evaluating and processing claim denials
• Applying CPT guidelines pertaining to bundling and unbundling
• Linking diagnoses and CPT codes according to payer-specific guidelines
• Hierarchical Condition Categories (HCC) and risk adjustment
• Sequencing codes for appropriate reimbursement
• Understanding types of claim forms
• Validating medical necessity using NCD and LCD

3. Health Records and Data Content (13%-17%)

• Performing data abstraction
• Understanding the different components of the medical record
• Retrieving medical records
• Quantitatively analyzing medical records for completeness and deficiencies
• Interpreting coding data reports
• Requesting patient=specific documentation from other sources

4. Compliance (12%-16%)

• Performing ethical coding
• Assisting in preparing the organization for external audits
• Identifying discrepancies between coded data and supporting documentation
• Researching and implementing the latest coding changes
• Validating that codes assigned by the provider are supported by proper documentation
• Educating providers on compliant coding

5. Information Technologies (6%-10%)

• Utilizing CAC software that uses electronic text as a basis for automatically assigning codes
• Navigating throughout the EHR
• Validating the codes assigned by CAC software
• Utilizing HIM and practice management systems
• Utilizing grouping and encoding software

6. Confidentiality and Privacy (6%-10%)

• Utilizing passwords/passcodes
• Ensuring patient confidentiality
• Protecting and transferring electronic documents
• Recognizing and reporting privacy issues and violations
• Retaining and destroying confidential records
• Accessing only minimal necessary information/documents
• Educating healthcare staff on privacy and confidentiality
• Releasing patient-specific data to authorized individuals
• Understanding information blocking
• Maintaining a secure work environment

Certified Coding Associate Registration

Once you have determined that you are ready to take the exam, you can apply by visiting the AHIMA website. All applications must be submitted online, and fees are only payable online by credit card. The testing fee is $199 for AHIMA members and $299 for non-members.

AHIMA reviews each application that is submitted. If it is determined that you are eligible, Pearson Vue sends an Authorization to Test (ATT) email that contains information on how to schedule your exam date.

If your application is denied, AHIMA will notify you by email about the requirements you need to sit for the exam.

Required Code Books

The CCA exam requires candidates to obtain and bring the following code books to their testing appointment:

• One ICD-10-CM code book (2023) from the approved list below
• One ICD-10-PCS code book (2023) from the approved list below
• American Medical Association’s CPT® 2023 Professional Edition (ISBN# 978-1-64016-213-6)

The current list of books (2023-2024) are required through April 30, 2024. Effective May 1, 2024, a new list of books (2024-2025) will be required. Click below to see both lists of required code books.

You can make handwritten notations or comments in your code books, as long as the books are free of any notes containing coding rules and guidelines from reference materials other than the allowed code books. Your code books must also be free from handmade tabs, Post-it notes, and loose materials.

Test Day

You should arrive 15-30 minutes before your scheduled appointment time on the day of your exam. Once you arrive, you will be asked to present two valid forms of identification and your code books for approval. During the check-in process, your photograph, signature, and palm vein pattern will be captured for identification and security purposes.

Before you enter the testing room, you will be asked to leave all personal items (cell phone, bags, hats, watches, food, etc.) in a secure locker.

Once you enter the testing room, you will be given a dry-erase board and a dry-erase marker to take notes. You cannot take anything else with you to your testing room.

CCA Exam Scores

Once you have completed the exam, the proctor will provide you with a copy of your score report, which indicates whether or not you passed. You must achieve a scaled score of 300 to pass the CCA exam.

Retaking the CCA Exam

If you did not pass the exam, you may retake it after a minimum waiting period of 30 days. After 30 days have passed, you must complete a new application and submit the full testing fee. You do not need to resubmit your transcripts with a retake application.

You can submit your application during your waiting period, but your authorization to test will not be issued until 30 days have passed.

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