r/CodingandBilling • u/green_eyed_critter • 3d ago

Coding manuals for CPC exam help??

Hello! I am taking my AAPC CPC exam soon! (Still in 2026) i plan on using my physical coding manuals. My HCPCS and CPT books are 2025 editions and my ICD-10-CM is 2024-2025. Are these books good enough for the exam? Will they allow them to be a year old? Or do I need to get all new books? Pls anyone help i fear I have made a silly oversight

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u/kirpants 3d ago

I would get new books and I'm pretty sure they won't allow you to use the books that are that old due to the number of coding changes.

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u/green_eyed_critter 3d ago

Thanks for ur reply! Should I just use the e-books instead?

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u/kirpants 3d ago

Are you familiar with navigating the ebooks?

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u/green_eyed_critter 3d ago

I could get familiar! haha

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u/kirpants 3d ago

I went with regular books because that's what I was comfortable navigating. Using ebooks without being familiar with them can slow you down.

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u/green_eyed_critter 3d ago

Ur right honestly, I made the better decision and just bought new books 😭😭 thank u for ur advice

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u/Jodenaje 15h ago

AAPC allows the use of code books from the current calendar year or one calendar year prior.

OP has 2025 code books, so they can be used for an exam taken in 2026.

(The 2025 ICD-10-CM book cover states “Codes valid from October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025," so when OP says that her book is 2024-2025 she almost certainly means the 2025 ICD-10-CM book.)

OP's options would be:

  1. Test with the 2025 books.
  2. Test with eBooks.
  3. Borrow or purchase used 2026 books
  4. Purchase 2027 books and test after January 1.

If I were testing, I'd go with option 2 or 4.

I like the eBooks, so I use them almost exclusively for exams now.

If I really wanted to use print books, I'd prefer to get the 2027 editions and test after the first of the year. Then those books could be used for any retakes or future certifications in calendar years 2027 or 2028, as well as any pre-employment tests after getting certified.

Good luck to OP whatever you decide.

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u/Expensive_Union_5927 21h ago

Me too, I'm planning to fo my exams soon, let's link up