Not Another Test
I was thrilled to pass the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) certified professional coder (CPC) test on the first try this past spring. The experience was nerve wracking, and I didn't think I would survive it.
Well, you are reading this blog, so I obviously lived through the experience. I anticipated keeping up with all the changes and keeping my skills up. I was planning on the CPC being my last certification exam. However, the AAPC had other ideas. All credentialed AAPC members will have to take an ICD-10 proficiency test. I have lifted the information below from the AAPC Web site:
To ensure that employers continue to value the CPC and other AAPC credentials once ICD-10-CM is implemented (thus protecting all 60,000 credential holders), and that those credentials truly represent one's ability to code under the current code set, AAPC members holding a credential will have 2 years to pass an open-book, online ICD-10 proficiency test.
- You will be given 2 years to take and pass, beginning Oct. 1, 2012 (one year before implementation of ICD-10) and ending Sept. 30, 2014 (one year after implementation)
- There will be 75 questions
- It will be open-book, online and un-proctored
- Coders will have two attempts at passing for the $60 administration
I am not looking forward to the countless hours of studying, sleepless nights and anxiety attacks I experienced with the CPC exam. I guess this is all part of the never ending cycle of lifelong learning.
I appreciate any suggestions you have on preparing for the exam.