What is on the CBCS exam, and how do you prepare?
Medical billing and coding is a great fit for detail-minded people who like knowing how healthcare actually gets paid. The Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) credential from the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) is a popular way to show employers you are ready. Here is how the exam is built.
Try it free first
Every exam below has a free 25-question diagnostic with an explanation for every answer, created by a registered nurse.
Exam format
- 100 scored questions plus 25 unscored pretest questions.
- Three hours of testing time.
- Based on an NHA job analysis, with each question tied to a task or knowledge statement in the published test plan.
The four domains
- Billing and reimbursement: 33 items
- Coding and coding guidelines: 32 items
- Insurance eligibility and other payer requirements: 20 items
- The revenue cycle and regulatory compliance: 15 items
What that means for your study plan
Billing and coding together make up about two thirds of the exam, so most of your time should go there: claim forms, payment and denial handling, ICD-10-CM, CPT and HCPCS guidelines, and modifiers. Insurance eligibility is the next biggest piece, so make sure you are comfortable with payer types, coordination of benefits and prior authorization. Compliance topics such as HIPAA and fraud and abuse round things out.
Start with our free 25-question CBCS diagnostic to see your strengths. The CBCS 6-Month Pass adds a 125-question, three-hour practice exam weighted to NHA's domains, a timed drill and section sets, with an explanation for every answer choice.
Ready to see where you stand?
The free CBCS diagnostic takes about 30 minutes, and you will see an explanation for every answer when you finish.
Common questions
How many questions are on the CBCS exam?
100 scored questions and 25 unscored pretest questions, with three hours to finish.
What is the biggest domain on the CBCS?
Billing and reimbursement, with 33 scored items, followed closely by coding and coding guidelines with 32.
Are your practice questions real CBCS questions?
No. Every question is original and written to NHA's published test plan. Real exam questions are confidential.
Can I try it for free?
Yes. The 25-question CBCS diagnostic is free and includes explanations.
Sources
We checked these official pages on October 21, 2026. Exam details can change, so always confirm with the exam owner before you register.
More study guides
CBCS is a trademark of the National Healthcareer Association, a division of Assessment Technologies Institute, L.L.C. TPM Exam Prep is not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Healthcareer Association.