Our Mission: Free CPC Exam Preparation for Everyone
Clear CPC exists to make world-class CPC exam preparation accessible to everyone, regardless of background or budget. We believe that quality coding education shouldn’t be gatekept or expensive.
Since our launch, we’ve provided free, evidence-based study materials to thousands of medical coding aspirants preparing for the AAPC Certified Professional Coder (CPC) exam. Our articles are written by experienced coders who understand the exam format, common trap questions, and the real-world skills you’ll need in a coding career.
CPC Exam Preparation Topics We Cover
Clear CPC publishes in-depth guides across four core domains:
- CPT Coding — Procedure and service codes across all specialties (surgery, anesthesia, radiology, pathology, E/M, and more)
- ICD-10-CM — Diagnosis coding fundamentals, code selection, guideline compliance, and real-world scenarios
- Medical Terminology & Anatomy — Body systems, terminology breakdowns, prefixes/suffixes, and clinical abbreviations
- Career & Jobs — Salary negotiation, remote work, job search strategies, professional development, and networking
Every article is grounded in current AAPC standards, the CPT code book, CMS guidelines, and our own hands-on coding experience.
Why Choose Clear CPC?
✓ Free, Always
No subscriptions. No paywalls. No hidden fees. All core study materials are available for free to every visitor.
✓ Expert-Written
Our content is created by certified medical coders and coding educators with real-world billings, audit, and compliance experience. We don’t just explain rules—we explain why they matter.
✓ Exam-Focused
We follow the AAPC’s official CPC exam blueprint (100 questions, 17 domains, 10 cases, 70 passing score). Our articles align with exam content and help you master high-frequency topics.
✓ Practical Examples
Every guide includes real operative notes, diagnosis scenarios, and step-by-step code selection so you can apply what you learn immediately.
✓ Constantly Updated
As CPT codes, ICD-10-CM guidelines, and coding standards evolve, so do we. We track annual updates and communicate changes to our community.
✓ Community-Driven
We welcome feedback and questions from our audience. Your success is our measure of success.
Our Content Philosophy
We believe coding education should be:
- Clear — plain English explanations, not jargon-heavy textbooks
- Practical — grounded in real workplace scenarios, not abstract theory
- Accurate — aligned with authoritative sources (AMA CPT, CMS, AAPC)
- Evergreen — built to last, not chasing trend-bait or unnecessary urgency
- Accessible — designed for beginners and intermediate coders alike
What You’ll Learn Here
Whether you’re just starting your coding journey or preparing for your final CPC exam push, Clear CPC has something for you:
- CPC Exam Blueprint Alignment — We follow the 2025 AAPC exam format with 17 domains, 100 questions, and 10 case studies
- Surgery CPT Deep Dives — Surgery codes account for ~36% of the CPC exam; we dedicate extensive guides to all body systems
- ICD-10-CM Mastery — From code structure and sequencing to Excludes1/Excludes2 notes and 7th character logic
- Anatomy That Sticks — Visual descriptions of body systems, terminology roots, and how anatomy connects to coding decisions
- Exam Strategy & Tabbing — Practical advice on CPT/ICD index tabbing, time management, and common exam pitfalls
- Career Navigation — From landing your first job to negotiating salary and advancing to leadership roles
Not Affiliated with AAPC
Clear CPC is an independent educational resource and is not officially affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC). We respect AAPC’s standards and align our content with their official guidelines and exam blueprint.
All content on Clear CPC is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for official AAPC study materials, instructor-led training, or the official AAPC CPC® exam.
Our Commitment to Accuracy
Medical coding is a regulated field. Accuracy matters—both for patient safety and for your career. Here’s how we ensure quality:
- All CPT codes are cross-referenced with the current CPT® codebook (AMA)
- All ICD-10-CM codes follow CMS coding guidelines and the official alphabetical index
- All anatomy and terminology content aligns with clinical standards and textbooks
- Articles undergo peer review by certified coders before publication
- We transparently note when content is evergreen vs. year-specific
If you spot an error or have a suggestion, please reach out — we take accuracy seriously.
About the CPC Exam
The Certified Professional Coder (CPC) credential, administered by the AAPC, is the gold standard for medical billing and coding professionals in the United States. It certifies that you:
- Know CPT, ICD-10-CM, and HCPCS codes
- Understand medical terminology and anatomy
- Can apply coding guidelines and rules in real-world scenarios
- Meet professional and ethical coding standards
The CPC exam covers:
- 100 multiple-choice questions
- 4 hours to complete
- 70/100 passing score
- 17 domains including surgery, E/M, anesthesia, pathology, radiology, and more
- 10 case studies requiring multi-code selection
CPC certification opens doors to careers in hospitals, clinics, insurance companies, remote billing companies, and consulting—with median salaries between $35K–$70K+, depending on experience and specialization.
Our Promise
We promise to remain:
- Free — your coding education will never be behind a paywall
- Honest — no affiliate promotions or hidden agendas; just solid content
- Useful — focused on helping you pass the CPC exam and succeed in your career
- Humble — committed to continuous improvement based on your feedback
Your success in the CPC exam is our mission. Welcome to the Clear CPC community.