How many years do category Ill codes remain in the CPT Manual?

• A. One
• B. Three
• C. Five
• D. Seven

Answer: (C)

Category III codes are temporary codes in CPT used for emerging technologies, services, and procedures. They’re placed in the CPT Manual for a fixed period to allow evaluation and possible adoption into Category I or removal. That duration is five years; if the technology doesn’t become a Category I code or isn’t renewed, the Category III code expires. So the five-year expiration window is the standard for these codes. One year, three years, or seven years do not align with this rule, which is why five years is the correct choice.