Advanced ECG-BC (ABCM) - Advanced ECG Board Certification Exam

The Advanced ECG Board Certification (ECG-BC Advanced) certification was developed by the American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine (ABCM) for cardiac professionals recording, reading and responding to cardiac anomalies seen in cardiac patients’ ECGs. This is the highest level of certification among the three levels available and is intended for nurse practitioners, physician assistants and physicians. ABCM offers certification exclusively in the cardiology specialty and is the current accrediting authority for these certification exams.

Eligibility

The Advanced ECG-BC exam is open only to those meeting the following eligibility criteria:

• Be a state board-licensed advanced nurse practitioner (ANP), physician assistant (PA), physician or cardiologist

• Have at least 4 years of experience in a cardiology setting reading ECGs frequently

• Hold valid state licensure as RN, LPN, NP or PA or certificate of completion as a non-licensed ECG tech or CMT

• Possess the physical ability to perform job duties, especially hearing as it plays a critical role

• Read the ABCM Certification Handbook and sign off that you’ve read and agree to all terms and stipulations

Registered nurses, ECG technicians or cardiac monitor technicians wanting to sit for the advanced level ECG exam instead of the basic or intermediate ECG exams may file an appeal with ABCM to override the eligibility requirements.

Completion Time: 2 hours

Cost: 

• $25 one-time nonrefundable application fee

• $150 (live exam)

• $269 (online exam)

• $129 retake fee for 2nd attempt

• $150-$269 retake fee for all additional attempts

Exam Format

Candidates have 2 hours to complete the Advanced ECG-BC exam, which contains 50 questions. Questions are multiple-choice, with a mixture of complicated 12-leads and arrhythmias to analyze. 

Candidates must achieve a score of 70% or higher to pass the Advanced ECG-BC exam. Those who don’t pass may retake the exam a second time at a discounted rate but must wait 30 days to take the exam again if they fail both attempts and pay the full exam fee.

Application Process

• Read the ABCM Candidate Handbook

• Fill out the application form

• Pay the exam fee

• Watch for email with voucher link to access the exam scheduler

  • Candidates have a 6-month window to take the exam

Advanced ECG-BC renewal is required every 3 years and requires continuing education as part of the process. Candidates are encouraged to begin recertification at least 30 days prior to the expiration of their current certification.

Renewal Fees

• $149 on-time renewal

• $169 late renewal/expired certification

Renewal candidates must complete 15 CEs in electrocardiography for the recertification process every 3 years. They must submit photocopies of their certificates of attendance received for each CE course completed. ABCM doesn’t accept CE lists that require validation or verification.

• ABCM Certification Handbook

The ABCM also offers the following certifications:

• 12-Lead ECG Board Certification Exam (12-Lead ECG-BC)

• Basic ECG Board Certification Exam (Basic ECG-BC)

• Cardiovascular Nurse Practitioner (CVNP-BC)

• Cardiovascular Nurse-Board Certified (CVRN-BC)