The CCDS Prep Masterclass

[Audio] Welcome to The Academy's "Journey to CCDS Certification," part of our signature Pathway Series. This course was created to support Clinical Documentation Integrity Specialists who are who are ready to validate their expertise by earning the CCDS credential. Our goal is to support you throughout this process—providing the tools, insights, and structure you need to approach the CCDS exam with clarity, a strong knowledge base, and the confidence to succeed. Let's begin the path to CCDS certification!.

[Audio] This course is designed to help you succeed on the CCDS exam by focusing on the core principles of CDI, DRG logic, coding guidelines, and documentation best practices in the acute care inpatient setting-mirroring the real-world scenarios you'll encounter on the exam. All content is based on authoritative sources, including the FY2026 ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS guidelines, the ACDIS CCDS Exam Candidate Handbook, and other trusted CDI resources commonly used in everyday CDI practice. You'll also see citations directly on the slides, making it easy to connect concepts to official resources and reinforce your understanding as you progress through each section..

[Audio] By the end of this course, you'll have a clear grasp of what the CCDS credential stands for and why it's a respected benchmark in the clinical documentation field. You'll understand its value not just as a certification, but as a reflection of your expertise and commitment to excellence in CDI practice. We'll walk through the key content areas covered on the CCDS exam, breaking them down into manageable sections to help you study with purpose and confidence. You'll also gain a solid understanding of eligibility requirements and discover practical strategies to set yourself up for success on exam day. And throughout the course, you'll learn how to navigate and make the most of the ACDIS CCDS Exam Candidate Handbook, a vital resource that will support your preparation from start to finish..

[Audio] Let's begin by exploring the mission and purpose behind the CCDS credential and walk through the format of the exam so you know exactly what to expect..

[Audio] The Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist (CCDS) credential, awarded by ACDIS, is the gold standard in the healthcare industry for clinical documentation integrity. It validates your expertise across multiple domains, clinical medicine, coding guidelines, compliance, communication, quality initiatives, and performance measurement. Earning the CCDS says, "This professional understands the big picture of CDI." More than just a certification, the CCDS is a public demonstration of your commitment to excellence. It reflects your mastery of best practices and your ability to drive meaningful improvements in documentation and patient care. As the CDI field continues to evolve, the CCDS credential proves that you're evolving with it, ready for advancement, leadership, and greater influence within your organization..

[Audio] To qualify for the CCDS exam, candidates must meet the eligibility criteria through one of three distinct pathways, each thoughtfully structured to reflect a strong foundation in both clinical knowledge and documentation practices. While the specific requirements differ in terms of education and credentials, all paths share a common emphasis: meaningful, hands-on experience in clinical documentation improvement (CDI) within the inpatient setting governed by the Inpatient Prospective Payment System. This approach ensures the exam is reserved for professionals who are actively engaged in CDI work, not newcomers to the field. Put simply, the CCDS exam isn't about testing entry-level knowledge; it's designed to validate the expertise of seasoned practitioners..

[Audio] Let's go over what to expect on exam day. The CCDS exam is a timed, multiple-choice test administered through Prometric, and you can choose to test in person or remotely, whichever works best for you. The exam consists of 140 questions, but only 120 are scored. The other 20 are unscored pilot questions, just being tested for use on future exams. You'll have three hours to complete the exam, which means time management is key. It's a good idea to pace yourself, roughly a minute or so per question, and don't spend too long on any single item. On exam day, you're allowed to bring only two reference resources: A hard-copy DRG Expert, Volumes I and II, (any year) A printed or professionally bound drug reference guide Digital resources, loose-leaf pages, or tabbed books are not allowed. To avoid surprises, review the CCDS Exam Candidate Handbook ahead of time so you know exactly what to bring, how the process works, and how to prepare..

[Audio] The CCDS exam is designed to evaluate not just what you know, but how well you can apply that knowledge in real-world clinical and operational scenarios. It spans eight key domains: reimbursement and the Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS), coding guidelines, core clinical knowledge like anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, documentation principles, communication and query practices, ethics and compliance, quality outcomes, and CDI program performance. You'll encounter a blend of recall, application, and analysis-based questions, so it's not just about memorization, but about demonstrating your ability to think critically and act effectively in the CDI role. As we move through this course, each chapter will connect directly to one or more of these domains, helping you build confidence and clarity as you prepare for the exam..

[Audio] As you begin your CCDS journey, start with intention. The Candidate Handbook is more than a checklist—it's your map. Use it alongside this course and your DRG Expert to build a complete, strategic toolkit. Preparation with purpose is one of the most underrated keys to success. Break your study into short, focused sessions, and reinforce your learning with real-world cases. And don't forget to take care of yourself along the way. Study smart, practice often, and maintain balance. You've got this—and we're here to help you every step of the way..

[Audio] Question: What is the primary purpose of the CCDS credential? A. To certify coding professionals in outpatient settings B. To provide licensure for healthcare providers C. To validate expertise in clinical documentation improvement D. To replace the need for a clinical or coding credential ✅ Correct Answer: C Why it's Correct: The CCDS credential is designed to validate a professional's expertise in clinical documentation improvement (CDI), including coding, compliance, and communication. Why the Other Options Are Incorrect: A. CCDS focuses on inpatient CDI, not outpatient coding. B. CCDS is a certification, not a licensure. D. ACDIS membership is not a requirement to take the exam..

[Audio] Question: Which of the following is a requirement to sit for the CCDS exam? A. Completion of a CDI training course B. Two years of CDI experience and a qualifying credential C. Employment at a hospital D. Membership in ACDIS ✅ Correct Answer: B Why it's Correct: Candidates must have at least two years of CDI experience and hold a qualifying credential (e.g., RN, RHIA, CCS). Why the Other Options Are Incorrect: A. Training is helpful but not required. C. Employment setting is not specified; experience matters more. D. ACDIS membership is not a requirement to take the exam..

[Audio] Question Which resource is allowed during the CCDS exam? A. Any online drug reference B. A personal notebook C. A digital ICD-10 coding guide D. A printed DRG Expert and one drug reference ✅ Correct Answer: D Why it's Correct: Only a printed DRG Expert and one professionally bound drug reference are allowed. Why the Other Options Are Incorrect: A. Online resources are not permitted. B. Personal notes are not allowed. C. Digital resources are prohibited..

[Audio] Question Which domain is NOT part of the CCDS exam content? A. Ethics and compliance B. Outpatient billing procedures C. Communication and queries D. Quality outcomes ✅ Correct Answer: B Why it's Correct: The CCDS exam focuses on inpatient CDI domains; outpatient billing is not included. Why the Other Options Are Incorrect: A, C, D. Ethics and compliance, Communication and queries, and Quality outcomes are all valid domains covered in the exam..

[Audio] Question: What is a recommended strategy for CCDS exam success? A. Memorize all ICD-10 codes B. Skip the Candidate Handbook C. Use domain-based practice questions D. Study only the DRG Expert ✅ Correct Answer: C Why it's Correct: Practicing with domain-based questions helps reinforce knowledge and exam readiness. Why the Other Options Are Incorrect: A. Memorization is not practical or required. B. The Candidate Handbook is essential. D. The DRG Expert is useful but not the only study tool..

[Audio] Enter instructor CDI Answers email here. Questions? Contact: [email protected].