SummitCert
CCDS
Also on AmazonCCDS exam prep book cover
Healthcare & Nursing

Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist (CCDS)

Clinical documentation integrity, coding impact, and physician query practice for the CCDS exam.

Try a free sample I have a code

One-time purchase · lifetime access · study on any device

Everything included — in full detail

This is exactly what you unlock. No vague promises — real numbers, straight from the portal.

435+ exam-style practice questions quiz pool

Your full practice pool — 435 questions total, written to mirror the real exam blueprint, with full answer explanations for every question.

8 exam domains covered

Including Professionalism, Ethics & Compliance, Quality of Care Measures, Communication & Physician Query Practices, and more.

Full mock exam — 140 questions, 240-min timed

A complete, realistic exam-day simulation with the same question count and time limit as the real thing.

1000+ flashcards

Covering every key term, concept, and framework you're expected to know.

29+ curated video lessons

Hand-picked walkthroughs and explainers organized by topic.

39+ diagrams & visual references

Visual breakdowns of the frameworks and models the exam tests you on.

17+ key formulas & quick-reference sheet

The exact formulas and calculations you need, ready to review before test day.

103+ term glossary

A searchable glossary so unfamiliar terminology never slows you down.

9 recommended books for CCDS

Real field-reference and career reading picked for this profession — never more exam-prep.

Progress tracking & study planner

See your accuracy by domain, spot weak areas early, and follow a built-in study schedule.

Works on phone, tablet & desktop

Study anywhere — your progress syncs on the device you are using and picks up where you left off.

Lifetime access, one-time purchase

No subscriptions, no renewals — buy once and keep studying until you pass.

See the CCDS portal

Real screenshots — this is exactly what you'll be studying in. Click to zoom in.

How would you like to start?

Try before you buy, or jump straight into full access.

Add anything you like — you can also add other exams to the same order before checking out once.

Portal Access
$26.99

Full study portal: question bank, quiz & exam modes, flashcards, glossary, progress tracking. One-time purchase, lifetime access.

+ Extra Mock Exam
$8.99

A mock exam written specifically for your order — not from the standard bank. Does not include portal access on its own. Order as many as you like; every order is a new batch, different from the one you previously purchased.

Adjust quantity in your cart — always unique

+ Higher-Difficulty Tier
$11.99

A tougher, "exam-hard" mock exam written specifically for your order, pushed past standard difficulty. Does not include portal access on its own. Order as many as you like; every order is a new batch, different from the one you previously purchased.

Adjust quantity in your cart — always unique

Best value
Full Bundle
$34.99

Portal Access plus one bonus Higher-Difficulty mock exam — the best-value way to start. (Extra Mock Exams can be added separately anytime, as many as you like.)

Digital Flashcards
$7.98

A custom set of flashcards written specifically for your order — pick how many you want. Delivered as its own unique link & code, separate from portal access.

How many cards?

Price updates automatically — nothing to calculate yourself.

Adjust quantity in your cart — always unique

Our exam prep is also available on Amazon

Get the printed CCDS exam-prep guide — full digital portal access is included via the code inside.

📦 View on Amazon

Topics you'll drill

8 core topics pulled straight from the real question bank.

  • Professionalism, Ethics & Compliance
  • Quality of Care Measures
  • Communication & Physician Query Practices
  • Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, and Pharmacology
  • Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting
  • Medical Record Documentation
  • Healthcare Regulations, Reimbursement, and the IPPS
  • Healthcare Facility CDI Program Analysis

CCDS exam requirements & cost

Straight from the certifying body — separate from what we charge for the study portal.

Eligibility
RN/RHIA/RHIT/MD/DO + 2 yrs CDI experience (or equivalent education pathway)
Real exam cost
$280 (ACDIS members) / $380 (non-members) + $100 international surcharge
Format
140 questions (120 scored)

CCDS eligibility can be met through one of three pathways: (1) an active RN, RHIA, RHIT, MD, or DO credential plus 2 years of experience as a concurrent or retrospective clinical documentation integrity specialist in a U.S. IPPS inpatient acute-care facility; (2) an associate's degree in an allied health field plus coursework in medical terminology and anatomy/physiology, plus 3 years in the CDI role; or (3) formal education in medical terminology, anatomy/physiology, and disease process (or an AHIMA CCS credential) plus 3 years of qualifying experience. Experience is counted as full-time work or 2,000+ hours per year. The exam fee is $280 for ACDIS members and $380 for non-members, with a $100 surcharge for candidates testing internationally; a discounted $150 fee applies to a candidate's first retake attempt only. The exam consists of 140 multiple-choice questions, of which 120 are scored (20 are unscored pretest items), split roughly 40% recall, 40% application, and 20% analysis. The passing score is 88 out of 120, and the first-time pass rate runs around 77%.

Read the full pass rate & study guide

Real pass rate, retake policy, scoring, and a study timeline for CCDS — free, no purchase required.

Common questions

You need to meet one of three pathways: an active RN, RHIA, RHIT, MD, or DO credential plus 2 years of CDI experience in a U.S. IPPS inpatient acute-care facility; an allied-health associate's degree plus relevant coursework and 3 years of CDI experience; or formal coursework in medical terminology/anatomy-physiology/disease process (or an AHIMA CCS credential) plus 3 years of experience.

You might also need

Try a free sample first
🤝