Certified Procedural Coding

Pierpont Community and Technical College of Fairmont State University's Center for Workforce Education, through the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), is offering the AAPCs Certified Procedural Coder (CPC) certification training and CPC certification exam. A CPC may obtain employment in a variety of settings, but most generally in a type of physician practice setting. This training program has been prepared by the AAPC and is aimed at providing the most up-to-date information relating to Current Procedural Terminology (CPT),  HFCA's Common Procedural Coding System (HCPCS) and Internal Classification of Diseases, 9th revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) procedural and diagnostic coding.

This modular program is an 80 hour non-academic-credit training course. The course curriculum is presented in a 20 module/chapter format. Chapters include medical terminology and anatomy overviews, with CPT and ICD-9-CM coding issues organized in a way that is consistent with the updated American Medical Association's Current Procedural Terminology. The material is designed to prepare individuals to take the national certification exam to become a CPC.

AAPC states that no experience is required to take the course, but it is strongly recommended that interested participants have a background in Anatomy & Physiology and Medical Terminology either through work or educational experience. The general requirement for taking the national exam is two years coding experience. One year is waived by participating in this program of study. Upon completion of the program, the student is eligible to take the exam. Upon achieving the requisite score on the exam as determined by AAPC, and fulfilling the necessary requirements, the student will earn the title Certified Procedural Coder (CPC) or Certified Procedural Coder Apprentice (CPC-A). A CPC-A certificate is awarded to each student who successfully passes the CPC exam but lacks the required experience in the coding field. A CPC-A can become a CPC if after one year of work experience in the coding field, the employer submits to AAPC verification of said employment.

Pierpont Community & Technical College makes no warranty, expressed or implied, as to AAPC materials, curriculum or guarantees regarding successfully passing the CPC exam.

Course Details

Course Costs Breakdown
American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC)
	AAPC Student Membership Fee	$70
	CPC Exam Fee	$260
	Total AAPC Costs		$330
Pierpont Community & Technical College (Pierpont C&TC)
	CPC Training Course Instructional Costs (Includes student curruculum text/workbook)		$1070
Total CPC Course Costs			$1400

In order to secure a seat in this class, please mail your payment, along with a completed registration form, to the Center for Workforce Education, 320 Adams Street, Suite G01, Fairmont, WV 26554. Payments may be made by Credit Card, Check or Money Order.

Course Materials

Included in the course tuition fee are two AAPC-approved curriculum books, a textbook and a workbook. Also supplied are the following three reference books, which are required for the CPC course and exam:

CPT Professional reference book - AMA - current year version

ICD 9 - CM reference book - current year version

HCPCS reference book - current year version

Please be aware that during the CPC Examination, AAPC requires that each test taker have their own set of the current years' version of the above three required reference books, no sharing is allowed.

Course Size

This course has both a minimum and maximum student enrollment requirement for the course. Early registration is encouraged to secure a seat in this program.

Financial Aid

The CPC training program is approved for student financial aid through the West Virginia Higher Education Adult Part-Time Student (HEAPS) Grant Program – Workforce Development Component.

The HEAPS Grant Program is designed to encourage and enable needy West Virginians, who desire to continue their education at the postsecondary level on a part-time basis, to pursue their educational goals. The object of the workforce development component of HEAPS is twofold: assisting recipients in upgrading their occupational skills and, by offering an incentive for additional education and training, to improve the work force of West Virginia.

A person is eligible for consideration for a grant through the workforce development component of HEAPS if the person:

·  Demonstrates financial need for the funds. Applicant must complete an Application for HEAPS Workforce Development Component, which is a combination application and abbreviated need analysis form.

·  Is a West Virginia resident and may not be considered a resident of any other state. State resident means a person who has lived in West Virginia continuously for a minimum of twelve months immediately preceding the date of application for HEAPS grant or renewal of a grant.

·  Is a United States citizen or permanent resident thereof

·  Is not incarcerated in a correctional facility.

·  Is not in default on a higher education loan.

·  Is in compliance with Military Selective Service Act.

·  Is making satisfactory progress at the time of application.

·  Satisfactory progress for a first time award means being accepted for enrollment by the institution the applicant plans to attend. Thereafter, satisfactory progress means continuous advancement toward completion of the program on the normal schedule established for that program.

If you believe you may be eligible for HEAPS funding you should complete the HEAPS application prior to your planned enrollment and forward it to the Center for Workforce Education. You may obtain a HEAPS application by visiting our web site at www.fairmontstate.edu/cwe/finaid.asp and clicking on the link identified as HEAPS Application (PDF). Print the application and send the completed, signed application to:

Center for Workforce Education
Pierpont Community and Technical College
320 Adams Street, Suite G01
Fairmont, WV 26554

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Questions? 304-367-4920 or email