The Certified Physician Practice Manager (CPPM) exam is issued by AAPC. It tests operational and administrative knowledge across six domains: revenue cycle management, human resources, facilities and business services, information technology, compliance, and quality management. The credential is aimed at professionals who run the business side of physician practices and is delivered as a linear multiple-choice assessment.
Practice administrators, office managers, billing supervisors, and operations staff who run day-to-day operations in a physician practice should consider the CPPM. Candidates typically have hands-on experience with scheduling, billing, staffing, and compliance workflows before sitting for the exam.
Start with the AAPC study materials and practice exams, then map each resource to the six exam domains. Build a study schedule that covers revenue cycle, HR, facilities, IT, compliance, and quality in rotation. Take timed practice tests to build pacing for the 240-minute window, and review any missed items against the official AAPC documentation.
Domain 1 covers revenue cycle management, the financial backbone of a physician practice. It addresses the processes that move a patient encounter from scheduling through final payment and reconciliation.
Domain 2 covers human resources management within a physician practice. It addresses the staffing, personnel, and workforce policies that keep a practice operating day after day, including hiring and retention.
Domain 3 covers facilities and business services for a physician practice. It addresses the physical plant, vendor relationships, and operational support functions that surround clinical care delivery each day.
Domain 4 covers information technology used in physician practice operations. It addresses the systems that store patient data, support billing, and enable day-to‑day daily communication across the office.
Domain 5 covers compliance obligations that apply to physician practices. It addresses the federal laws, regulations, and internal programs that practices must follow to participate in healthcare programs.
Domain 6 covers quality management in a physician practice. It addresses the programs and measurement activities that practices use to track and improve patient care outcomes over time.
Arrive early with valid identification and any required confirmation documents. Budget your time across the 100 questions inside the 240-minute window, and flag uncertain items to revisit before submitting.
The CPPM exam contains 100 multiple-choice questions delivered in a linear format. Candidates answer all items in a single sitting within the allotted testing window.
A passing score of 70 is required on the CPPM exam. Scores are reported against this benchmark, and candidates must meet or exceed it to earn the credential.
Candidates have 240 minutes to complete the CPPM exam. The full duration is allotted in a single sitting, so plan your pacing across all 100 questions.
The AAPC member price for the CPPM exam is $299, and the non-member price is $399. Membership discounts apply at the time of registration through AAPC.
The CPPM credential is valid for 2 years from the date of issuance. Renewal is required, so check with AAPC for the current continuing education and renewal requirements.
The CPPM credential remains current and is administered by AAPC. It is valid for two years from issuance, after which renewal is required through continuing education and compliance activities as defined by AAPC.
Verified 2026-09-02
This page was built from verified AAPC facts and official AAPC documentation, including the certification landing page, exam guide, and study resources. Each domain summary was mapped to its stated domain.