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 General Information about
IBHRE
Applying for the
IBHRE Exam
Preparing for the IBHRE Exam
IBHRE Exam
Scoring
Other
Information
 What is
IBHRE?
Established in1985, the
International Board of Heart Rhythm Examiners is a self-governing, affiliate organization of the Heart Rhythm Society
that provides competency examinations in the fields of cardiac rhythm device
therapy and cardiac electrophysiology. IBHRE offers a
series of three tests for physicians and allied professionals designed to
demonstrate mastery in the field of cardiac rhythm management.
What is IBHRE certification?
IBHRE certification is accorded to those physicians and allied professionals
who have successfully passed the rigorous IBHRE Exam. Recipients of IBHRE
certification are professionally competent, demonstrate advanced skills in
clinical practices, are highly respected by peers and other medical
professionals and represent a standard of excellence in the arrhythmia
community.
Who can take the IBHRE
examinations?
The IBHRE exam is designed for physicians
(e.g., cardiologists, pediatricians) and allied professionals (e.g., nurses,
physician assistants, EP/lab techs, industry professionals) employed in the
field of cardiac pacing and/or electrophysiology.
Is there a specific amount of experience required before one can apply for the
exam?
One must be a licensed physician and board certified
or board eligible in:
-
Internal Medicine
-
Cardiology
-
Cardiothoracic Surgery
-
Pediatric Cardiology
-
General Surgery
-
Pediatric Surgery
-
Emergency Medicine
-
Anesthesiology
-
Electrophysiology
to be eligible to take the exam for physicians. There
is no specific amount of experience required for one to take the Allied
Professional exams.
What certification exams are
offered? When?
Certification Examination for Competency
in Cardiac Rhythm Device Therapy for the Physician
Certification Examination for Competency
in Cardiac Rhythm Device Therapy for the Allied Professional
Certification Examination for Competency
in Cardiac Electrophysiology for the Allied Professional
For a full schedule of exams please see the
exam calendar.
How long is
the exam?
The examination consists of 200 questions and is five hours long. Beginning with computer-based testing in 2008, two
15-minute breaks will be added, increasing the total exam length to five hours.
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 How do I
apply for the IBHRE exam?
You can apply for the IBHRE exam
online by visiting the application page.
Application date, deadline and exam location will vary from year to year.
The deadline for application submission will vary depending on the exam date.
IBHRE must receive your application by the application deadline date. NO
EXCEPTIONS will be granted for applications submitted after the deadline date.
How can I confirm my exam
registration?
A formal letter of registration confirmation and
correspondence regarding exam instructions and policies will follow via email
after the application deadline.
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 How
long does preparing for the exam/certification process take?
The length of time depends on your budget,
schedule, and the urgency you personally feel about passing the exam. Applicants
draw from their previous education and professional experience and
recommended educational study tools/resources.
Is there a prep course for the
exam?
The Heart Rhythm Society offers an online IBHRE exam prep course for the
physician and allied professional. This online preparation provides a
bridge between previous classroom and text-based training, and the upcoming
five-hour live exam. The online preparation features actual questions from
previous exams, delivered in two modules: a “practice” module, and a “timed”
module. These modes provide the participants with a “feel” for the actual test,
allowing them to assess their level of preparation, and give them a refresher on
key elements of the exam.
Are courses required and is there an order in which the courses should be taken?
There are no course requirements for taking
the exam. You are free to attend the courses that best meet your own schedule,
travel budget and professional need.
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 What score is required to pass?
Because the overall difficulty of the test
varies slightly from year to year, total scores are equated so that a score of
"500" on one exam represents the same level of proficiency as a score of "500"
on a previous test form. The number of correct answers required to pass is not
reported because it varies slightly from year to year (from form to form).
What
is the pass/fail rate?
Content experts review a variety of
statistical analyses before setting a pass/fail standard. The equating procedure
allows IBHRE to require the same level of proficiency across years and this
means that the pass/failure rates vary somewhat across years.
How
do I find out my score?
You will receive your results along with a
score interpretation sheet eight weeks after taking the exam.
What happens after I pass the exam?
After passing the exam, you will
receive the appropriate certification for your exam. Acknowledgment will also be made
on the IBHRE website.
When will I receive my certification?
Once the exam has concluded, the
National Board of Medical Examiners undergoes extensive grading and statistical
analysis. This scrupulous process can take weeks before final scores are
computed. Certifications are forwarded to all successful candidates who pass the
IBHRE Exam ten weeks after the exam date.
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 What is the
duration of my IBHRE certification?
With the Physician cardiac rhythm
device therapy examination of September 1997, the validity of an examination for
recognition purposes will be of ten years’ duration. The May 1998 Allied
Professional cardiac rhythm device therapy examination, and those thereafter,
will have a duration of validity of ten years, as will the Allied Professional
cardiac electrophysiology examination administered during 1999 and thereafter.
How do I maintain my
IBHRE certification?
You must re-apply, re-test and pass
the examination every ten years to maintain valid IBHRE certification.
Are CME
credits offered after IBHRE certification is achieved?
Continuing Medical Education credits are not currently
offered for passing the exam.
I heard that competency recognition has become a professional certification.
What is my new certification designation(s)?
Effective immediately, IBHRE will
officially certify all those who successfully take the IBHRE exam, including
those who have already received competency recognition.
The new certification designations
are:
- Certified Cardiac Device Specialist – Allied
Professional (CCDS/AP)
- Certified Cardiac Device Specialist –
Physician (CCDS/Physician)
- Certified Electro-physiology Specialist –
Allied Professional (CEPS/AP)
In addition, the three exams have new
names that better represent the certification they provide. Please note that
Cardiac Pacing and Cardioversion Defibrillation is now referred to as Cardiac
Rhythm Device Therapy.
The new exam names are:
- Certification Examination for Competency in
Cardiac Rhythm Device Therapy for the Physician
- Certification Examination for Competency in
Cardiac Rhythm Device Therapy for the Allied Professional
- Certification Examination for Competency in
Cardiac Electrophysiology for the Allied Professional
Please send us an
email if you would like a new
certificate, letter and lapel pin that reflect the new designation.
Click here for more information.
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