COC (Formerly CPC-H) exam-day guide
COC (Formerly CPC-H) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring an unexpired photo ID whose name exactly matches your exam registration. Acceptable ID types vary by delivery format (in-person testing center vs. online proctored), so confirm the exact list with the provider before exam day.
Exam appointment confirmation
Have your confirmation number, appointment time, and testing location (or remote-session link) accessible on paper and on your phone before you leave. Confirm whether a printed copy is required.
Approved code books
Bring the current-year ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS Level II manuals the exam permits. Confirm with the provider which editions and which publisher versions are accepted, since copyright and edition rules differ.
Tabs and highlighting in your books
Many candidates tab and highlight their manuals, but permission rules for tabs, sticky notes, and handwritten annotations change - verify what is allowed with the provider and remove anything that is not.
Any permitted supplemental reference
Some exams allow one additional approved reference such as a coding guideline or anatomy resource. Do not assume - confirm the exact allowance in writing with the provider and bring nothing beyond it.
Writing materials
Bring pencils with erasers or pens as the venue permits. Confirm whether the testing center supplies scratch paper and writing instruments or whether you must bring your own.
Non-smart watch or time plan
A simple analog or non-connected digital watch helps you pace. Confirm whether a wall clock or on-screen timer will be visible so you know if a watch is even needed.
Water and a light snack
Whether food and drink are allowed at your seat or only during breaks depends on the venue. Confirm the policy and plan a snack for scheduled or self-directed breaks.
Remote-testing equipment (if applicable)
For an online-proctored sitting: reliable internet, working webcam and microphone, a clear private room, and a charged device. Run the platform's system check in advance and confirm equipment requirements with the provider.
Prohibited items secured
Leave phones, smartwatches, fitness bands, loose notes, and study flashcards out of the testing area. Confirm where devices must be stored and whether the venue provides lockers.
Travel and parking plan
Verify the address, parking, and transit time the day before. Aim to arrive well ahead of your appointment - confirm the provider's late-arrival and rescheduling policy, since it can be strict.
Plan the day
Reconfirm appointment time, location or remote-session details, and ID requirements in writing. Verify your code books are the permitted editions and remove any disallowed inserts or notes. Take one full-length timed practice exam under realistic conditions, then review only the topics you missed.
Shift your sleep schedule so you will be rested for the actual start time. Do a light pass over high-yield areas - outpatient facility coding concepts, modifiers, E/M leveling, and surgical package rules - rather than starting new material.
Pack your bag: ID, confirmation, approved code books, writing materials, water and snack. Lay out clothing and confirm transportation. Stop heavy studying early, eat a normal meal, and get a full night's sleep. Avoid cramming new content the night before.
Eat a normal breakfast, hydrate moderately, and limit caffeine if you are jittery. Arrive early - 30 minutes ahead is a reasonable target, but confirm the provider's check-in window. Skim only your own tabbed sections; do not attempt new material.
Present your ID, store prohibited items as directed, and listen carefully to the proctor's instructions on timing, breaks, and scratch paper. Ask how much time remains if the clock is not visible.
Work in passes: answer the questions you know first, flag the long vignettes, and return to them. Keep an eye on the clock and target a steady pace across the total question count. Never leave a blank if there is no penalty for guessing - confirm the scoring rule at check-in. Take a short break if allowed, but remember whether the clock stops.
Reserve the last stretch to verify every question has an answer, revisit flagged items, and confirm you have not miskeyed. Do not change answers on a hunch unless a code book lookup supports the change.
Rules to check
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID with a name matching your registration exactly; confirm the accepted ID forms and name-change procedure with the provider in advance.
Phones, smartwatches, and other electronic devices are prohibited in the testing area. Confirm where they must be stored and whether the venue provides secure storage.
The exam is open-book only to the extent the provider permits. Bring the approved code books and nothing else unless the provider confirms otherwise in writing; loose notes, flashcards, and unapproved inserts are generally not allowed.
Break time is typically counted against your total testing time. Confirm at check-in whether the clock stops during breaks and plan restroom visits accordingly.
Follow all proctor instructions, including no talking, no reading questions aloud, and no leaving the testing area without permission. Violations can result in dismissal and score invalidation.
Scoring is criterion-referenced with a passing standard set by the provider; a common passing score for core coding certifications is 70%, but confirm the current standard and any section-specific requirements for this exam.
Unanswered questions are usually scored as incorrect, so answer every question unless the provider states otherwise - verify the guessing policy at check-in.
Confirm the provider's late-arrival, rescheduling, and retake policies before exam day, since these rules vary by delivery format and can affect whether you are permitted to sit or must pay again.