CAMC Part 1 Exam
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ExploreAbout this exam
The CAMC Part 1 Exam (Certified Associate in Medical Coding, Part I) is an entry-level certification assessment for people preparing to work as medical coders in outpatient and physician-based settings. It suits students finishing a coding certificate or associate program, career changers moving into health information, and early-career coders who want a structured, externally validated benchmark of their knowledge before applying for their first coding role. The exam samples broadly across the coding workflow rather than testing one specialty in depth. Expect medical terminology and anatomy/pathophysiology foundations, ICD-10-CM conventions and official guidelines, procedure coding fundamentals in ICD-10-PCS and/or CPT, evaluation and management documentation and level selection, reimbursement and claims processing, compliance and fraud-and-abuse awareness, health information privacy and record documentation, and applied coding scenarios with data-quality checks. Preparation should be active rather than passive: work through the current ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting section by section, build speed with the code manuals you will actually use, practice assigning codes from complete case vignettes, and review E/M documentation requirements and payer claim flow. Confirm the current domain weights, exam logistics, and any eligibility requirements directly with the certifying body, since those details change and are published on its official site. This page is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the certifying organization.
What you'll study
About CAMC Part 1 Exam preparation
What is the format of the CAMC Part 1 Exam?
It is a multiple-choice examination delivered in a single sitting. The certifying body publishes the current number of questions, appointment length, and whether it is taken at a test center or by remote proctoring. Check its official candidate handbook before you schedule, because those details are updated periodically.
How difficult is the exam, and what score do I need to pass?
Difficulty is moderate for candidates who have completed a structured coding course and practiced with real code books. The passing score is set by the certifying body and is published in its current handbook; do not rely on secondhand figures. Aim to be consistently accurate on guideline-based questions before you book.
Can I retake the exam if I do not pass?
Retake eligibility, waiting periods, and any additional fees are set by the certifying body and change over time. Review the retake policy in the official candidate handbook or on its website before your first attempt so you know the rules and any deadlines that apply.
How much time should I plan for studying?
Most candidates need several weeks of consistent study rather than a few cram sessions. Build a schedule that covers terminology, ICD-10-CM guidelines, procedure coding, E/M, reimbursement, and compliance, and reserve the final weeks for timed practice with full case vignettes and your code manuals.
In what order should I study the domains?
Start with medical terminology and anatomy/pathophysiology, since every coding question depends on them. Move to ICD-10-CM conventions and guidelines, then procedure coding, then E/M documentation. Finish with reimbursement, compliance, privacy, and applied scenarios, which draw on all the earlier material.
What are the most common reasons candidates fail?
Weak guideline application rather than weak memorization: choosing a code that looks right without checking indexing and tabular notes, missing laterality or episode-of-care details, and running out of time because manual lookup is slow. Practicing full vignettes under time pressure addresses all three.
Which code books and references can I use during the exam?
The certifying body specifies permitted references, and rules differ between paper and electronic testing. Confirm the current allowed-materials list in the official handbook. In practice, fluency with the index-to-tabular lookup path matters more than the specific edition you trained on.
How do I keep my certification valid after passing?
Recertification or continuing education requirements, cycles, and fees are determined by the certifying body and are not fixed here. Check its official website for the current maintenance requirements so you can plan continuing education credits well before any renewal deadline.