COC Certified Outpatient Coder Exam Study Guide 2026-2027
COC Certified Outpatient Coder Exam Study Guide 2026-2027
Comprehensive Review, Practice Questions, and Detailed Answer Explanations Aligned with AAPC Certification
By Capra Academy · Published June 23, 2026 · 220 pages
About This Book
Comprehensive preparation for the AAPC Certified Outpatient Coder (COC) examination. Covers outpatient hospital facility coding, ICD-10-CM, CPT, HCPCS Level II, payment methodologies, compliance, and medical record case coding.
What’s Inside
- Outpatient Hospital Facility Coding
- ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Coding
- CPT and HCPCS Level II
- Payment Methodologies (OPPS)
- Medical Record Case Coding
- Practice Questions with Rationales
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the COC exam?
The Certified Outpatient Coder (COC) exam is administered by AAPC. It validates expertise in coding for outpatient hospital and facility services, including ambulatory surgical centers.
How many questions are on the COC exam?
The COC exam has 100 multiple-choice questions (including 10 medical record cases) with a 4-hour time limit. The passing score is 70% (70 correct answers minimum).
How much does the COC exam cost?
One exam attempt costs $425. A two-attempt package is available for $499. AAPC membership is required to maintain the credential.
What code books can I use on the COC exam?
You may use the CPT Professional Edition (AMA), ICD-10-CM (any publisher), and HCPCS Level II (any publisher). Both printed books and eBooks are allowed. Handwritten notes in print books are permitted if they relate to daily coding activities.
COC Resource Hub
Planning Your COC Certified Outpatient Coder Preparation
Who this exam information is for
This page is for candidates considering or actively preparing for the COC Certified Outpatient Coder. Use the linked exam resources to understand the credential, organize preparation, and identify the official requirements that must be confirmed before applying.
What to verify before scheduling
- Current eligibility and application documentation
- Current examination blueprint and domain weights
- Fees, testing windows, identification, and accommodation rules
- Question format, time limit, scoring, and score-report process
- Retake, renewal, and continuing-education policies
A practical study strategy
Begin with the current official content outline. Rank every domain by both blueprint weight and personal confidence, then spend the most time where high weight and low confidence overlap. Use practice questions diagnostically: record the tested domain, why the correct answer is best, why each distractor is weaker, and what source resolves any uncertainty.
Strengths and limitations of this study guide
The Capra Academy guide is designed to combine structured review with practice and answer explanations, making it useful for identifying weak areas and rehearsing exam-style decisions. It is a study aid—not the certifying organization’s candidate handbook, not a guarantee of a passing result, and not a substitute for current official eligibility or policy information. Requirements can change, so follow the official sources linked throughout this resource cluster.