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Coding specialist – physician-based professionals perform coding in physician offices, group practices, multi-specialty clinics, or specialty centers. The CCS-P certification exam assesses mastery-level proficiency in coding of health services delivery beyond the hospital setting. |
CCS-Ps:
While not required, one of the following are recommended to sit for the CCS-P examination:
AHIMA is launching an optional exam prep course in spring 2023 that will help to boost your confidence on exam day.
Apply to take the Certified Coding Specialist – Physician-based (CCS-P) exam.
Certified Professionals and Pass Rates
As of 12/31/2022, there were 4,283 certified CCS-P professionals.
Year |
Exam |
# First Time Testers |
Pass Rate First Time Testers |
2022* |
CCS-P |
282 |
35% |
2021* |
CCS-P |
260 |
42% |
2020* |
CCS-P |
292 |
63% |
*U.S. and Canada results only
Exam Specifications
The CCS-P is a timed exam. Candidates have four hours to complete the exam. The total number of questions on the exam range between 97 and 121 total items. The exam consists of two sections, a Multiple-Choice Section and a Medical Scenario Section (evaluation and management, surgery, medicine) that contains multiple-choice, multiple-response items. The exam is given in a computer-based format.
AHIMA exams contain a variety of questions or item types that require you to use your knowledge, skills, and/or experience to select the best answer. Each exam includes scored questions and pretest questions randomly distributed throughout the exam. Pretest questions are not counted in the final results.
The passing score for the CCS-P is set at 300, as are all AHIMA exams and programs.
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 below for greater detail.
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