Certification Board of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography™ (CBCCT™)

Please note: In order to view some of the documents below you need to use Internet Explorer.

• 2023 CBCCT How to Apply Guide​​ ​​​
• Template for Training & Experience Verification Letter​
• Template for Maintenance of Competency Letter (150 cases Level 2/75 cases ACR)
• International Specialty Verification Letter
• International Training Letter
• Special Accommodations Request Form
• 2022 Examination Scheduling and Cancellation Guidelines
• 2022 ADA Examination Scheduling and Cancellation Guidelines​

All eligibility requirements must be completed prior to submitting a CBCCT application to APCA. Under no circumstances will an application with incomplete cardiovascular CT training be accepted. If documentation of other requirements is missing or incomplete, a resubmission fee will be assessed. All documentation must be in English or accompanied by a translation.

• Medical Licens​​ure
• Board Certification
• Training/Experience i​​​n Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (CT)
• Maintenance of Competency
• Continuing Medical Education
• Alternate Pathway – closed to new applicants
• Proof of Additional Training

There are significant eligibility changes in 2021. Please review the 2021 Eligibility Changes. ​

​Do you remember your old CBCCT username and password?​

If yes, than please follow the login instructions below:

You are an Existing User:

1. Log in to your existing CBCCT/CBNC account to obtain your new MY APCA log in ID number and password. If you have forgotten your password, click here to have your password sent to you via email.
2. Once you have your new ID number and password, use that information to log in to MY APCA.

If no, then please follow the login instructions below:

You are a Legacy User:

1. Call APCA at 240-631-8151 so that someone can personally assist you with obtaining your new MY APCA log in ID number and password. Please note that you will be required to verify your information on file before the ID number and password can be provided.
2. Once you have your new ID number and password, use that information to log in to MY APCA.

Please note: In order to view some of the documents below you need to use Internet Explorer.

• ​2024 CBCCT How to Apply Guide​​ ​
• International Specialty Verification Letter​​​
• ​Recertification Maintenance of Competency Letter​​
• Special Accommodations Request Form
• 2022 Examination Scheduling and Cancellation Guidelines
• 2022 ADA Examination Scheduling and Cancellation Guidelines

All eligibility requirements must be completed prior to submitting a CBCCT application to the APCA. Under no circumstances will APCA accept an application if the required 150 cardiac CT cases (completed within the last 36 months) to document Maintenance of Competency are not provided. If documentation of other requirements is missing or incomplete, a resubmission fee will be assessed. All documentation must be in English or accompanied by a translation.

Applicants must be certified in cardiovascular CT by CBCCT no earlier than eight (8) years prior to application and document the following:

• Medical Licensure
• Continuing Medical Education
• Case Maintenance of Competency

Reinstatement Fee for Lapsed Diplomates
Former diplomates whose certification status has lapsed may apply for recertification by meeting the eligibility requirements. Upon passing the examination, a one-time fee of $250 will be assessed in order to be reinstated.

​This year, all CBCCT certification and recertification applications will be processed through our online portal MY APCA. MY APCA will be your personal destination for application submission and it will give you access to features such as a status verification letter, a historical view of your examination(s) and certification(s), receipts, application resources and more. Once you are ready to apply for the CBCCT examination you will need to access MY APCA.

Note: If you hold an APCA and/or ARDMS certification, please use your existing MY APCA login information and skip to Steps for Completing the Application.

To access MY APCA, please identify yourself as one of the following:

1. New User: I have never applied for the CBCCT or CBNC certification examinations.
   1. Create a new MY APCA account by completing and submitting the form here.
   2. An ID number will be emailed to you; be sure to check your spam filter if you don’t receive it promptly.
   3. Use the ID number with the password you created on the form to log in to MY APCA.
   4. Follow the Steps for Completing the Application below for completing the application.

2. Existing User: I have previously applied for the CBCCT and/or CBNC certification examinations and have an account that I’ve logged in to before on the CBCCT or CBNC websites.
   1. Log in to your existing CBCCT/CBNC account to obtain your new MY APCA log in ID number and password. If you have forgotten your password, click here to have your password sent to you via email.
   2. Once you have your new ID number and password, use that information to log in to MY APCA.
   3. Follow the Steps for Completing the Application below for completing the application.

3. Legacy User: I have previously applied for the CBCCT and/or CBNC certification examinations however, I do not have an account that I’ve logged in to before on the CBCCT or CBNC websites.
   1. Call APCA at 240-631-8151 so that someone can personally assist you with obtaining your new MY APCA log in ID number and password.  Please note that you will be required to verify your information on file before the ID number and password can be provided.
   2. Once you have your new ID number and password, use that information to log in to MY APCA.
   3. Follow the Steps for Completing the Application below for completing the application.

Steps for Completing the Application

1. Log in to your MY APCA​​ account.
2. Select Apply Online under the Application Center tab.
3. Select the appropriate certification examination under Physician Windowed Examinations.
4. Click on the green Apply Now button.
5. You will be required to attest that you have read, understand, and acknowledge the following:​​
   1. ​The Confidentiality Agreement​
   2. ​The APCA Application Agreement (Certification/Recertification​)
   3. The APCA Compliance Policies

5. Follow the prompts to complete and submit the application with payment.​
6. Remember: you will need to upload your required supporting documentation during the application submission process so be sure to have the required documentation on hand.

Please Note: Applications are reviewed in the order in which they are received as expeditiously as possible.  The turnaround time may be several weeks depending on the volume of applications received and the completeness of the application and documentation.

Once you have successfully applied, your Examination Confirmation Letter (ECL) will be available via the Application Center tab from your MY APCA account. Access this information by:

• Selecting MY CBCCT/CBCMR/CBNC.
• Click the Examination Confirmation Letter link under the Actions Available section. Once you have your ECL, you may contact Pearson VUE to schedule an examination appointment.  A website address and toll-free number are provided on your ECL to schedule your examination. Test centers are located in the U.S., Canada, and many international locations. Examination appointments are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis so please apply and schedule as early as possible. If you are ineligible, you will be notified of your ineligibility and the reason(s) for that determination.

If you require testing accommodations pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please select “Yes” to the question that asks if you require testing accommodations​ in the application and submit the following along with your completed application:

• An original copy of a letter dated within the past five years and typed on official letterhead from a qualified physician or health care provider who specializes in the disability. This letter must document the disability and its severity, describe the applicant’s limitation due to the disability and state exactly what accommodations are recommended. The letter must contain an original signature and the physician’s or provider’s credentials.
• An original copy of a comprehensive medical evaluation/report of the diagnosed disability from the physician or health care provider, dated within the past five years.
• A completed Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Special Accommodations Questionnaire​​, which must be submitted each time you apply for an examination.

For more information, visit the Americans with Disabilities Act​ page.​

When you arrive at a test center, be prepared to:

• Check in with a Test Center Administrator
• Present one valid photo identification (ID); see Test Center Identification Requirements
• Provide a digital signature
• Have your palm vein scanned
• Take a test-day photograph

Note: The only thing that you can bring into the testing room is you. The test centers have lockers you can use to store personal belongings. Study materials as well as food and drink are prohibited in the test center. No visitors, guests, pets or children are allowed.

Important: Review APCA’s Examination Admission Compliance​ ​policies to ensure you are not refused admission at the test center and do not engage in unauthorized examination behavior.

Test centers will provide white boards for notes during the examination upon request.

If you need special accommodations, please select “Yes” for “Special Accommodations” in the application when you apply.

Once your CBCCT application has been approved, an Examination Confirmation Letter (ECL) will be emailed to you. You can then schedule your examination with Pearson VUE – APCA’s official testing vendor. The ECL will include your eligibility period based on the set administration dates and you are encouraged to schedule promptly to ensure availability​.

If you have not done so already, visit Pearson VUE to:

• Create a Pearson VUE account
• ​Search for APCA and then the CBCCT examination
• Search for seat availability
• ​Locate a test center
• ​Schedule an examination
• Contact Pearson VUE Customer Service, 877-258-9220 to schedule via phone or ask questions specific to your testing center.
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Please note that the CBCCT examinations are listed under The Alliance for Physician Certification & Advancement (APCA). Candidates outside of North America should check pearsonvue.com/apca for regional telephone numbers.​​

To reschedule the date and time of your examination during your eligibility period, you must contact Pearson VUE (1-877-258-9220) at least 96 hours prior to the scheduled examination date and time. Candidates outside of North America should check pearsonvue.com/apca for regional telephone numbers.

To cancel an examination appointment, you must contact Pearson VUE (1-877-258-9220) and cancel the scheduled appointment no later than 96 hours prior to the scheduled examination appointment time. Candidates outside of North America should check pearsonvue.com/apca for regional telephone numbers.​

To request a partial refund, you must wait 24 hours after canceling the appointment with Pearson VUE and then submit a cancellation/partial refund request no later than 96 hours prior to the last date of the eligibility period.​

To submit this request:

• Log in to your MY APCA account.
• Visit “My Examination/Application Status” under “Application Center.”
• Select the examination you wish to request a partial refund for.
• Complete and submit the form.​​

We will refund your examination fee, less the processing fee per examination, unless we receive your request too late, you never schedule your examination or you do not keep your scheduled examination appointment. Then, the entire examination and processing fees are forfeited.

​ If you are found eligible to take an examination, we will email you an Examination Confirmation Letter (ECL) within one to two days of application approval and you will be able to schedule your appointment at that time. The ECL will also be posted to your MY APCA account and will include your eligibility period to schedule and take your examination.​

Taking a practice test or two is a great way to prepare for your actual examination. We offer a CBCCT Practice Test that simulates the computer interface used in the actual test center environment. The CBCCT practice test review is comprised of 30 sample questions and is 30 minutes long.

After you complete a practice test, you will be emailed a report that shows the number of questions you answered correctly. While the report is an indication of your knowledge, the practice tests results should not be used to predict how well you will perform on the actual test at the test center.

See FAQs​ for additional information.​

Each practice test costs $45 USD.

You can now register for a CBCCT practice test by signing into your MY APCA​ account and clicking the Sign Up/View Practice Test option in the Application Center tab. You can also view the computer system requirements in your MY APCA portal. For any general questions or technical problems regarding the practice tests, please call APCA at (800) 943-1709  or email practicetests@inteleos.org.

Before your session begins, you should review the test tutorial. Please note you will not get a chance to review the test tutorial during the actual practice test, so please prepare accordingly. Once your session begins, you have 30 minutes to complete the practice test.

Register​ for an CBCCT practice test, by signing in to your MY APCA account.

CBCCT conducts a periodic analysis of the practice to identify the tasks performed by physicians practicing cardiovascular CT and the knowledge required to perform these tasks. The purpose of this practice analysis is to ensure that the examination content accurately reflects the current practice of cardiovascular CT. To accomplish this, a carefully constructed survey is sent to a representative sample of physicians practicing within the profession. The results are analyzed by a cross section of experts in the field. The result is the following outline of knowledge areas upon which the examination in cardiovascular CT is based. ​Read the CBCCT Practice Analysis Summary Report​ for more information.

The CBCCT certification examination contains approximately 160 questions and the recertification examination contains approximately 100 questions. The CBCCT examination covers the content areas within the content outline below.​All percentages are an appro​​ximate distribution of the questions across the content areas.

CBCCT Certification and Recertification Content Outline ​​(Please click on “CBCCT Content Outline” for the detailed Content Outline in PDF-Printable format).​​​​

Tips for Examination Day Success

After all of your diligent preparation and hours spent studying, here are a few valuable tips to help make your examination day a success:

• Double check that you know where the test center is before examination day and give yourself plenty of time to get there. Remember, you MUST arrive and register at least 30 minutes before the examination begins.
• Get a good night’s sleep before you take your examination. Being well rested and relaxed when you take your examination will help you concentrate.
• Bring one form of current and valid identification that complies with the test center identification requirements.
• Travel light. The only thing you can bring into the testing room is you. You can store your personal belongings — your car keys, watch, smartphone, purse, backpack, etc. — in lockers at the test center. The following items are not allowed in test centers: study materials, food, drink, visitors/guests, pets and children.
• Request a white board if you plan to jot down notes during the examination. Test centers are using white boards (rather than paper) in an effort to “go green.”

Workstation

The Pearson VUE workstation specifications have been reviewed and tested by APCA and meet or exceed requirements for cardiovascular CT. Some of the questions on the examination include images or movies which may take a few moments to load and during which time the screen may appear blank. This is not a malfunction of the workstation, but rather a delay in uploading the image. If a Candidate has a problem with a workstation he/she may request a workstation change if needed, provided the testing center has availability.

If the examination cannot be delivered due to a test center or workstation failure, power failure, hardware and/or software problems, weather, or conditions which arise from events or circumstances beyond the reasonable control of Pearson VUE or APCA, Pearson VUE will use reasonable efforts to reschedule the Candidate for the examination within the test window dates. If the Candidate cannot be rescheduled within the test window, APCA at its discretion may provide the affected Candidate with an opportunity to take the examination at the next scheduled examination date for a reduced or waived fee. This shall be the Candidate’s sole remedy. In no circumstance will APCA reduce its standards or overturn a Candidate’s score as a means of correcting a problem in the administration.

Examination Appeals

Candidates who fail the examination may appeal their score by following the APCA Appeals Policy. The appeal must be for reasons related to examination administration; Candidates were exposed to testing conditions severe enough to cause a major disruption. Appeals based solely on the belief that an examinee prepared intensely and has practiced cardiovascular CT for years or for having missed passing by a number of examination points will not be considered.

In order to consider an appeal based on examination administration or a disruption in the examination process, the incident(s) must have been reported to the Pearson VUE testing center TA and to the APCA office as described above under Issues During your Examination section above. Documentation to support your appeal must be submitted with your appeal request to appeals@inteleos.org no later than five (5) days after your examination appointment.  ​

Issues During Your Examination

We do not anticipate any problems during the examination, but if a problem does occur, the Candidate MUST report the incident to the Pearson VUE test center staff at the time the examination is being administered and prior to departing the test center on the day of the examination. Candidates are advised to ask the Test Administrator (TA) for their name and the ticket number assigned to their reported issue or problem. Candidates are then required to notify APCA in writing of the issue or problem with the examination within five (5) days of the scheduled examination time. This notification should include the ticket number assigned by the TA, the TA’s name and be detailed as possible. Email the information to CBCCT@inteleos.org.

NOTE: Pearson VUE offers hundreds of thousands of examinations annually from hundreds of different organizations. The focus of test center personnel is to safeguard the integrity of the examination, not necessarily to assist Candidates. Therefore, if you experience any problems while at your testing center, call APCA staff at 240-631-8151 and we will do our best to assist you.​

1. What percentage of symptomatic patients with a calcium score of zero will have hemodynamically significant stenosis?

a. <1%

b. 1-10%

c. 15-25%

d. >25%

See answer below

2. Which of the following examinations is generally thought to produce the lowest radiation effective dose (E)?

a. Coronary CT angiography with field of view focused on the heart, but without ECG dose modulation.

b. Myocardial perfusion imaging utilizing a dual isotope protocol with 30 mCi Tc^99m and 3mCi of T^l201.

c. Myocardial perfusion imaging utilizing a two day protocol with Tc^99m (30mCi for both injections).

d. Diagnostic invasive coronary angiography via the femoral approach.

See answer below

3. What is the major advantage of using prospective axial scanning over retrospective helical scanning for calcium scoring?

a. A reduction in radiation dose

b. A reduction in bloom artifacts

c. A shorter breath hold

d. Improved temporal resolution

Answers

Click here to view several APCA videos designed to help you familiarize yourself with the look and feel of APCA examinations administered at Pearson VUE test centers. These videos are not intended to be study tools for examination content and will not be available at the test centers. Please utilize the fast-forward, rewind, and replay buttons to ensure you read each screen entirely and understand each full demonstration. Each video contains both written instructions and verbal descriptions.

1. What is cardiovascular computed tomography?

From the ACCF COCATS Guidelines for Training in advanced cardiovascular imaging (computed tomography), 2006:

Computed tomography (CT) is one of the most rapidly evolving techniques for assessing cardiovascular anatomy. The complex nature of the imaging devices and anatomy as well as the rapidly advancing uses of these modalities requires the trainee to be introduced to this modality. Clinical application of CT encompasses non-contrast (coronary calcium evaluation), contrast (CT angiography and function), and hybrid studies (combining nuclear cardiac scanning with CT). Computed tomography, like invasive catheterization, provides information concerning cardiovascular anatomy and function (i.e., ejection fraction).

2. What is certification and what is its purpose?

Certification provides practice-based standards against which members of the profession can be assessed. The purposes of the CBCCT Certification Program are as follows:

•to establish the domain of the practice of cardiovascular CT for certification;

•to assess the level of knowledge demonstrated by cardiovascular CT specialists in a valid manner;

•to encourage professional growth in, and enhance the quality of, the practice of cardiovascular CT

•to recognize formally individuals who meet the requirements set by CBCCT; and

•to serve the public by encouraging quality patient care in the practice of cardiovascular CT.

3. What is the address of the CBCCT?

1401 Rockville Pike, Suite 600

Rockville, MD 20852

USA Telelephone: +240.631.8151

Fax: +301.424.0875

Email: CBCCT@inteleos.org

4. What are the eligibility criteria to sit for the CBCCT certification examination?

In general, the eligibility criteria include the following:

•Current Medical License

•Training/Experience/Maintenance in the Provision of cardiovascular CT (e.g. Level 2/3 or ACR Practice Guidelines) ◦If cardiovascular CT training was completed more than 36 months from application then an additional 150 contrast cardiac CT examinations are required.

•​Continuing Medical Education (number of credits needed based on your specialty pathway)

Professional Organizations

• American College of Cardiology* (www.acc.org)
• American College of Radiology (www.acr.org)
• American Society of Nuclear Cardiology* (www.asnc.org)
• The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions* (www.scai.org)
• Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography* (www.scct.org)

* Organizations which provided start-up funding for CBCCT

Determination of Passing Score and Reporting

The passing score for the CBCCT certification examination is set by an independent national panel of peers representing the disciplines involved in the practice of cardiovascular CT drawn from both private practice and academia. The passing score is based on an expected level of knowledge; it is not related to the distribution of scores obtained during an examination administration. In any given year, a candidate has the same chance of passing the examination whether the group taking the examination at that time tends to have high scores or low scores. In other words, each candidate is measured against a standard of knowledge, not against the performance of the other individuals taking the examination.

The CBCCT examination test result is a PASS or FAIL decision. Examinees will receive a scaled score, ranging from 300 to 700. A scaled score of at least 555 is required to pass the CBCCT examination.

Reporting Scores

Scores are expected to be released and posted to your MY APCA account approximately 60 days following the end of the examination administration window. As soon as your score becomes available, you will receive an email sent to the email address you provided when you registered for the examination.  If that email address is no longer accessible by you, please log into your MY APCA account to update it. ​

To ensure you receive notification regarding your score availability, add our email address Communications.APCA@Inteleos.org to your address book and/or “Safe Recipient” list. Candidates receiving a passing score will be listed on APCA’s Directory of Certificants​.

Request for Score Verification

If you have questions about the accuracy of your score, we can perform a score verification for a $35 USD fee payable by check, money order or credit card. Score verification ensures that the computer counted the correct and incorrect answers appropriately. It does not review the questions and answers.

When deciding whether to have your score verified, please keep in mind that APCA examinations are scored electronically with a high degree of accuracy, and it is unlikely that verification will alter your original score.

If you are interested in obtaining verification, please submit a completed Examination Score Verification Form within 30 days from receipt of  the  score availability email​. If it is incomplete, unsigned or unpaid, it will be returned.

Appeals

A candidate who is not successful in passing the examination may submit an appeal by following the Examination Appeals Process  standards.

Testamur

Candidates who applied as Testamur and passed the CBCCT examination must provide APCA with documentation of having successfully passed the Cardiology, Nuclear Medicine or Radiology board examination and a copy of their current medical license (with expiration date) before a CBCCT certificate can be mailed and their name can be added to the Directory of Certificants​. A copy of the letter from the certifying board or a print-out from the certifying board’s website will be accepted as documentation and can be emailed to CBCCT@inteleos.org or alternatively faxed to CBCCT at 301-424-0875.

Below are the pass rates for the CBCCT​ examinations:

2023
Certification Passed: 92%
Non U.S.: 100%
Recertification Passed: 98%

2022
Certification Passed: 91%
Non U.S.: 100%
Recertification Passed: 96%

2021
Certification Passed: 91%
Non U.S.: 85%
Recertification Passed: 96%

2020
Certification Passed: 90%
Non U.S.: 84%
Recertification Passed: 92%

2019
Certification Passed: 88.5%
Non U.S.: 75%
Recertification Passed: 89.9%

2018
Certification Passed: 95%
Non U.S.: 83%
Recertification Passed: 98%

2017
Passed: 89%
Non U.S.: 87%
Recertification: 95%

2016
Passed: 90%
Non US: 89%
Recertification: 97%

2014
Passed: 87%

2013
Passed: 85%