An apparatus and method for profiling program code. In particular, an apparatus according to one embodiment comprises a filtering component identifying a first set of instructions for which profiling is desired wherein, in response to detecting that an instruction has been retired, the filtering component determines whether the instruction is within the first set of instructions for which profiling is desired; an event selection component detecting an event in response to the instruction retiring, the event selection component generating event signals in response to a designated event; and a profiling component recording the occurrence or not occurrence of the event within a first storage device responsive to signals from the filtering component and/or the event selection component.