CCS (AHIMA)

There are 107 questions in total: 97 scored items and 10 pretest items, randomly distributed throughout the exam. You get four hours, testing on computer at a Pearson VUE center. Once you have selected an answer you can move back and forth between items and flag questions to review before submitting, as time allows.

The passing score for the CCS is 300. Only the 97 scored items count toward your result - the 10 pretest items are included for data collection and do not count toward a candidate's score. That means a few unfamiliar or oddly worded questions on test day are normal and should not rattle you.

You must submit a new application with the relevant exam fee and wait at least 30 days before your application is approved. Transcripts already on file do not need resubmitting. You cannot schedule until a new authorization to test letter is issued, and AHIMA will not waive retest periods. Retake fees match the exam price: $299 member, $399 nonmember.

The CCS costs $299 for AHIMA members and $399 for nonmembers. You can cancel or reschedule up to 15 days before your test date at no charge; between 14 days and 24 hours prior, Pearson VUE charges $30. No rescheduling inside 24 hours. Refund requests carry a $75 processing fee and must be filed at least 14 business days before your test date or eligibility end date.

It is recommended, not required, to have one of: coursework in anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, medical terminology, reimbursement methodology, intermediate/advanced ICD diagnostic coding, and CPT/HCPCS procedural coding plus one year applying codes; two years of related coding experience; a CCA plus one year; another organization's coding credential plus one year; or a CCS-P, RHIT, or RHIA.

Exams delivered on or after May 1, 2026 require the 2026 code books from AHIMA's 2026 required code book list. Every candidate must bring the correct code books to the test center - anyone without them is not allowed to test and forfeits their exam fees. Verify the list well before your appointment date.

No sequence is mandated. A sensible plan is diagnostic and procedural coding plus documentation first, since they anchor query practice, then provider queries, regulatory compliance, and information technologies. AHIMA prep products organize practice questions by competency and by task within each domain, so a pretest can show which task areas need the most review. Finish with full-length practice exams and medical scenarios.

The exam is applied rather than recall-based: inpatient and outpatient medical scenarios ask you to read documentation and assign codes under a four-hour clock. Candidates who only memorize code lists tend to lose time and accuracy, and flagging too many items for later review can leave nothing in reserve. Practice timed scenarios, not just isolated questions.

After your application is approved, schedule with Pearson VUE within 120 days of eligibility. Booking early protects your preparation timeline and keeps you inside the free cancellation window, which closes 15 days before the test date. Arrive on time - candidates 30 or more minutes late are not allowed to test and forfeit their fees.

The credential runs on a two-year certification period. To maintain it you must complete all recertification requirements during that cycle, which include submitting the required amount of continuing education units (CEUs) and paying the recertification fee. AHIMA's Recertification Hub lists CEU opportunities and walks through the process.