CPT Code 96136: Psychological testing administration, first 30 min

When to Use CPT 96136

Use CPT code 96136 when billing for psychological testing administration, first 30 min. This code is used by licensed therapists (LCSW, LPC, MFT, Psychologist) for outpatient sessions.

Adding CPT 96136 to a Superbill

When generating a superbill with CPT 96136, include the ICD-10 diagnosis code, date of service, fee charged, amount paid, and your NPI number. Superbilled pre-fills common therapy CPT codes automatically.

Common ICD-10 Pairings

These diagnosis codes are frequently used alongside CPT 96136:

Documentation Requirements

Document who administered the tests (psychologist vs. technician), specific instruments used, and testing conditions. This code is for face-to-face administration.

Common Denial Reasons

• ✗ Administration code billed without a corresponding evaluation code (96130/96131)
• ✗ Wrong administration code — should use 96138 for neuropsych
• ✗ Testing administered by unqualified personnel

Got one of these on a remittance? Decode the denial code.

Reimbursement Expectations

OON reimbursement typically 45-65% of UCR. Expect $36-$104 for the first 30 minutes.