How to Achieve the CCS-P Certification
Earning and maintaining your CCS-P Certification can be achieved in 4 steps.
1: Make sure you meet the eligibility requirements
Candidates who want to sit for the CCS-P exam must have a high school diploma.
2: Prepare for the exam
It is recommended, not required, to have at least one of the following:
- Complete courses in all the following topics: anatomy & physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, medical terminology, reimbursement methodology, intermediate/advanced ICD diagnostic coding, and procedural coding and medical services (CPT/HCPCS) plus one (1) year of coding experience directly applying codes; OR
- Minimum of two (2) years of related coding experience directly applying codes; OR
- Hold the CCA® credential plus one (1) year of coding experience directly applying codes; OR
- Hold a coding credential from another certifying organization plus one (1) year of coding experience directly applying codes; OR
- Hold a CCS®, RHIT®, or RHIA® credential
Check out the CCS-P exam prep bundle in the MyAHIMA Store.
3: Apply to take the CCS-P exam
- Read the Candidate Guide
- Create a MyAHIMA account
- Submit your application online and pay all fees
- Schedule the exam with Pearson Vue within 120-days of eligibility.
4: Maintain your CCS-P credential
To maintain your CCS-P credential you will need to complete all the recertification requirements over the 2-year certification period, which include submitting the required amount of continuing education units (CEUs) and paying the recertification fee. Check out the Recertification Hub to learn more about CEU opportunities and familiarize yourself with the recertification process.
Prepare for the CCS-P Exam
AHIMA certifications are administered by the AHIMA Commission on Certification for Health Informatics and Information Management (CCHIIM). The CCHIIM does not contribute to, review, endorse or require any review books, review sessions, study guides, or other exam preparatory activities.
The CCS-P exam preparation combines in-depth study material covering the ICD-10-CM, and ICD-10-PCS content with comprehensive testing practice. The exam preparation is comprised of two full-length practice exams as well as additional practice questions and medical scenarios.
CCS-P Exam Preparation includes exam preparation guidance and covers the following CCS-P domains:
- Domain 1: Diagnosis Coding
- Domain 2: Procedure Coding
- Domain 3: Research
- Domain 4: Compliance
- Domain 5: Revenue Cycle
Key Features:
- Four complete practice exams based on the CCS-P competency statements and tasks for the current CCS-P exam
- Online assessments with 388 multiple-choice questions and 52 medical scenarios
- Full answer key with rationales and references
- Test-taking tips for additional preparation and confidence on exam day
Get Started Today
Exam Specifications
Exam format:
The total number of questions on the exam is 121. There are 97 scored items and 24 pretest items.
Each exam includes scored questions and pretest questions randomly distributed throughout the exam. Each exam includes scored questions and pretest questions randomly distributed throughout the exam. Pretest questions are for data collection purpose and they do not count towards candidate's score.
Time allowed:
Candidates have four hours to complete the exam.
Resources required:
2024 Code Books will go into effect on 05/01/2024. All exams delivered on or AFTER 05/01/2024 will be required to have the 2024 code books from the 2024 code book list.
On test day, all candidates must bring the correct codebooks to the test center.
Candidates who do not have the correct codebooks will not be allowed to test and will forfeit their exam fees.
View the 2024 list of required code books for the CCS-P exam.
Competencies:
Competencies for CCS-P fall into five domains. Each domain accounts for a specific percentage of the total questions on the certification exam. See the Exam Content Outline for greater detail.
Exam testing location:
The exam is given in a computer-based format and must be scheduled at a Pearson Vue testing center.
Passing score:
The passing score for the CCS-P is 300.
Retake Policy:
To re-take an exam, candidates need to submit a new application along with the relevant exam fee. Candidates who have attempted but not successfully passed the CCS-P exam are required to wait at least 90 days before their application is approved.
Transcripts are kept on file and do not need to be resubmitted. Candidates in their retest waiting period are not authorized to schedule an exam appointment until a new authorization to test letter is issued. AHIMA is not authorized to waive retest periods due to test security policies.
Pricing:
The cost of the CCS-P exam is $299 for AHIMA members and $399 for non-members. Test re-take fees are the same as the cost of the exam.
Certified Professionals and Pass Rates
As of 12/31/2023, there were 3,955 certified CCS-P professionals.
Year |
Exam |
# First Time Testers |
Pass Rate First Time Testers |
2023*
|
CCS-P
|
314
|
38%
|
2022*
|
CCS-P
|
282
|
35%
|
2021*
|
CCS-P
|
260
|
42%
|
*U.S. and Canada results only
Certification Exam Process & Timelines
AHIMA regularly updates its blueprint (content outline) to be consistent with the Standards of Educational and Psychological Testing (AERA, APA, & NCME, 2014) and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). Listen to a recorded presentation that explains the entire exam development cycle.
Exam development cycle
- Job Task Analysis SMEs identify knowledge, skills, and tasks required for a job. Result of workshop is a survey.
- Exam Specifications SMEs review survey results and develop blueprint (content outline).
- Item Writing/Review SMEs write and review test questions to align with blueprint (content outline).
- Exam Form(s) Review SMEs review test questions on Beta form and review overall form to determine if there is any overlap.
- Pilot/ Beta Exams Candidates begin testing on pilot/beta exam.
- Standard Setting SMES set the performance standard "minimum expectations" which serve as a guide to recommend a passing point.
- Exam Administration The exam is administered to qualified candidates in a live testing environment.
- Exam Maintenance Ongoing maintenance is performed ensuring the form performs as intended.
Exam Development Cycle Completed
Certified Coding Associate (CCA):
- Job Task Analysis: Began Q4 2021
- Content Outline: Publicly available, March 2022
- Pilot/Beta Exam: May 2022
Certified Coding Specialist (CCS):
See an executive summary of the job task analysis with the content outline crosswalk.
- Job Task Analysis: Begins Q2 2023
- Content Outline: Publicly available, October 2023
- Pilot/Beta Exam: May 2024
Certified Coding Specialist-Physician-based (CCS-P):
See an executive summary of the job task analysis with the content outline crosswalk.
- Job Task Analysis: Begins Q2 2023
- Content Outline: Publicly available, October 2023
- Pilot/Beta Exam: May 2024
Certified Healthcare Privacy and Security (CHPS):
- Job Task Analysis: Began Q4 2021
- Content Outline: Publicly available, May 2022
- Pilot/Beta Exam: September 2022
Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT):
See an executive summary of the job task analysis with the content outline crosswalk.
- Job Task Analysis: Began Q4 2021
- Content Outline: Publicly available, May 2022
- Pilot/Beta Exam: October 2022
Certified Documentation Integrity Practitioner (CDIP):
- Job Task Analysis: Began Q2 2022
- Content Outline: Publicly available, January 2023
- Pilot/Beta Exam: June 2023
Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA):
See an executive summary of the job task analysis with the content outline crosswalk.
- Job Task Analysis: Began Q4 2022
- Content Outline: Publicly available, May 2023
- Pilot/Beta Exam: October 2023
Certified Health Data Analysis (CHDA):
- Job Task Analysis: Begins Q1 2023
- Content Outline: Publicly available, Q3 2023
- Pilot/Beta Exam: Q1 2024
Exam Cancellation Policy
AHIMA Approved Continuing Education Provider Program Listing:
- Candidates may cancel and reschedule the examination up to 15 business days prior to the scheduled examination date at no charge.
- Any candidate who cancels or reschedules his or her appointment between 14 days and 24 hours prior to the exam date will be charged a fee of $30 by Pearson VUE.
- Rescheduling and payment must be completed using a valid credit card on the Pearson VUE website or by calling the Pearson VUE Call Center at (888) 524-4622.
- Candidates may not reschedule the examination less than 24 hours prior to the examination appointment.
- Candidates who do not arrive or who arrive late to their scheduled exam appointment time will be considered no-shows and will forfeit their application fee.
- Candidates failing to appear for the scheduled appointment or who are over thirty (30) minutes late will not be allowed to test. A new application and the full application fee must be submitted in order to test.
Deadline
|
Fee
|
Up to 15 days before exam date
|
No charge
|
Between 14 days 24 hours prior to exam date
|
$30
|
No-shows
|
Forfeit application and registration fees
|
Exam Refund
Candidates can request a refund for their exam application up to fourteen (14) business days prior to their scheduled test date or eligibility end date.
Requests can be submitted directly to refunds@ahima.org. Please provide the following information:
- Candidate’s name
- AHIMA ID# (optional)
- Exam type
Appeals
Recertification Appeals
Individuals may appeal the permanent revocation of their credentials due to failure to meet CCHIIM recertification requirements. Appeal applications can only be submitted once every 10 years per credential. Appeal applications can only be submitted within 90 days once your credential is permanently placed in a revoked status. Please submit your appeals via the Recertification Appeal Form. For additional information please see the CCHIIM Disciplinary and Appeal Policy Flowchart and the CCHIIM Disciplinary Appeal Policy Handbook. If you are in inactive status or have not been permanently revoked, please refer to the Recertification Guide.
Examination Complaints
Candidates are required to report any complaints at the test center on the day of their examination. Because of the secure nature of the examination, neither AHIMA nor Pearson VUE will disclose examination questions or candidate’s responses to individual questions.
Candidates who fail the exam and believe irregular testing conditions were a contributing factor may submit a complaint. Examples of irregular testing conditions include a medical or personal emergency during the testing session, exam vendor technical issues such as computer malfunctions or power outages, and other significant test site disruptions.
All complaints must be emailed to certification@ahima.org no later than 7 days after the receipt of the exam score report. All complaints must describe the suspected error or problem and the requested remedy.
Eligibility Request for Reconsideration
Applicants who are notified that they do not meet the eligibility requirements may request reconsideration of this decision by sending an email to certificationappeal@ahima.org within 30 days of communication of the adverse eligibility decision.
Certification staff will review the request for reconsideration and will decide on eligibility. No new or additional information will be accepted once the request is submitted. A decision will be made within 30 days of receipt. You will be notified via email.
Code of Ethics Violations / Professional Misconduct
The AHIMA Code of Ethics applies to AHIMA members and credentialed professionals who are not members. If you believe an AHIMA member or credentialed professional has violated the Code of Ethics, you may file a complaint with AHIMA.
Specifically, potential ethics violations regarding misconduct that involves currently certified individuals (i.e. certificate holders) must be submitted via an Ethics Complaint Form, along with supporting documentation, to CCHIIM@ahima.org. The CCHIIM Review Panel hears potential ethics violations regarding misconduct, pursuant to the AHIMA Code of Ethics and the CCHIIM Disciplinary and Appeal Policy. For additional information please see the CCHIIM Disciplinary and Appeal Policy Flowchart.