- What is Nuclear Cardiology?
- What is certification and what is its purpose?
- What is the address of the CBNC?
- How should I notify CBNC of an address change?
Questions on Applying to Sit for the Exam
- How can I get a copy of the application? Can you fax it to me?
- What are the application criteria?
- I Heard CBNC's eligibility criteria are changing. Is that true?
- Can I apply online?
- Can I fax in my application?
- When is the application deadline?
- What are the fees to sit for the exam?
- Does the application have to be typed?
- I see I have to include a preceptor letter with my application. What should the letter say?
- I will not have met all the eligibility criteria by the application deadline, but I will have by the time of the exam. May I still apply?
- I missed the October deadline for applying... can I apply late?
- Can I apply online?
Questions About the Exam
- When will the exam be held?
- At what location(s)?
- What happens after I am approved to sit for the exam?
- How should I prepare for the exam?
- What courses does the CBNC recommend for preparation for the exam?
- I saw the list of References in the Candidate Bulletin. How can I obtain those publications?
- What is the general content of the exam?
- Does the CBNC examination carry CME credit?
- What can I bring with me to the exam?
- What forms of ID are acceptable?
- Is it true that if I'm late for the exam, I will not be permitted to sit?
- I have a flight scheduled after the exam; can I bring my luggage with me to the exam?
- I was not able to sit for the exam but I didn't inform CBNC before the exam that I needed to cancel. Can I get a refund of my application fee?
- I sat for the recent exam. How can I find out whether I passed?
- Why does it take so long to get my test results since they are computer graded?
- I failed the exam. Can the CBNC hold my application for next year?
Questions on Licensure
- I was certified by the Certification Council of Nuclear Cardiology (CCNC), before it became the CBNC in 1999, and want to apply for Authorized User status using the certification pathway. What do I do?
- If I can't use my certification as a pathway, what do I need to do to become licensed?
- I'm in an Agreement State. How do I find out what's required to become an Authorized User?
Questions on Verification of Status
- How can I find a doctor who is certified in Nuclear Cardiology?
- I am in the credentialing process in my institution and the board needs verification of my certification status. I can't find my certificate, so what should I do?
- Does the CBNC provide verbal verification of certification status?
- Does the CBNC provide written verification of certification status?
- I seem to have lost my certificate. How can I get a replacement?
Recertification
General Questions about Nuclear Cardiology, Certification and the CBNC
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What is Nuclear Cardiology?
- to establish the domain of the practice of Nuclear Cardiology for certification;
- to assess the level of knowledge demonstrated by Nuclear Cardiology specialists in a valid manner;
- to encourage professional growth in, and enhance the quality of, the practice of Nuclear Cardiology;
- to recognize formally individuals who meet the requirements set by CBNC; and
- to serve the public by encouraging quality patient care in the practice of Nuclear Cardiology.
Nuclear Cardiology is a specialty of cardiology that uses radioisotopes for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
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 CBNC Certification Program are as follows:
What is the address of the CBNC?
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101 Lakeforest Blvd., Suite 401 Gaithersburg, MD 20877 USA |
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How should I notify CBNC of an address change?
Notification must be in writing and include a signature. Please include change in phone/fax and cell numbers too. Candidates should inform CBNC of address changes so that important correspondence is received at the correct address. Diplomates [those who have passed the CBNC exam] should inform CBNC of address changes so that the Who Is Certified database lists diplomates in the correct location.
Questions on Applying to Sit for the Exam
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How can I get a copy of the application? Can you fax it to me?
CBNC can mail you a copy of the Bulletin and Application forms and a PDF version is posted on CBNC's website when available. Application must be made on the original forms and must include the applicant's original documentation. Therefore, CBNC cannot fax the Bulletin to applicants and applications must be sent by mail or UPS or Fedex overnight services.
What are the application criteria?
Please see this section of the CBNC website for US Candidates: Eligibility Requirements for Candidates Residing in the United States. For Candidates residing or planning to practice outside the US, see Eligibility Requirements for Candidates Residing Outside the United States at the Time of Application.
I Heard CBNC's eligibility criteria are changing. Is that true?
That is correct. Please check this page for specifics, http://www.cbnc.org/theexam/eligibility_changes.cfm. Candidates must meet all eligibility in the year of application regardless of whether they have been deemed eligible in prior years.
Not at this time. There is a PDF form that can be filled in on your computer and printed out for mailing, however.
No, we must have the original documents.
When is the application deadline for the certification exam?
For 2009, the regular application must be postmarked or overnight shipment dated by Friday, July 10, 2009. For the Mid application deadline, the application must be postmarked or overnight shipment dated by Friday, September 18, 2009. Late application deadline, the application must be postmarked or overnight shipment dated by Friday, October 9, 2009. For recertification, the regular application must be postmarked or overnight shipment dated by Friday, August 21, 2009. For the late application deadline, the application must be postmarked or overnight shipment dated by Friday, October 9, 2009.
What are the fees to sit for the exam?
In 2009, the regular application fee is $895 (U.S. Funds) for the certification exam. The mid application fee is $995 (U.S. Funds) and the late application fee is $1095 (U.S. Funds). For the recertification exam, the regular fee is $595 (U.S. Funds) and the late application fee is $795.
Non -sufficient funds, administrative fees, late fees and resubmission fees will not be refunded.
Does the application have to be typed?
No, but it must be legible.
Sample preceptor letters are included in the Candidate Bulletin and on the CBNC website at Preceptor Letter Templates and Preceptor Letter Templates - Outside U.S. The letters must be written on institutional letterhead within 12 months of application.
All eligibility criteria must be met at the time of application. Applications will be considered incomplete if any of the material is missing or incorrect and the applicant subject to a $50 resubmission fee.
For example, if the preceptor letter included does not use the correct language for the applicant's background, the letter will be returned to the applicant. It is the applicant's responsibility to make certain that the letter written by the preceptor complies with CBNC's templates.
I missed the October deadline for applying... can I apply late?
No, applications received after the October deadline are returned unopened to candidates. No exceptions to the policy are made.
Questions on the Exam
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When will the exam be held?
In 2009 the certification and recertification examinations will be held November 30 - December 5, 2009. Prospective candidates apply to CBNC. Once deemed eligible, applicants receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) letter, which provides instruction on how to schedule a test time at Prometric Testing center.
In 2009, the exam will be held at Prometric test centers around the world. For more information on locations, log onto www.prometric.com/cbnc/default.htm.
In 2008, the exam will be held at Prometric test centers around the world. For more information on locations, log onto www.prometric.com/cbnc/default.htm.
What happens after I am approved to sit for the exam?
If your application is complete and you meet all the criteria, you will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) letter indicating that your application has been approved. The ATT letter will provide instruction on scheduling a test time within the CBNC testing window.
If your application is incomplete or any part is incorrect, the CBNC office will notify you of what is needed. We encourage applicants to provide an active email address so that we can contact you quickly with what is required to complete your application. It is the responsibility of the candidate to obtain or correct any outstanding or incorrect materials and submit them to the CBNC office. Applications with missing or incorrect documentation will be subject to a $50 resubmission fee before they are deemed eligible. CBNC reserves the right to return incomplete applications as of October 19, together with a refund. ($795 for certification and $495 for recertification) Non -sufficient funds, administrative fees, late fees and resubmission fees will not be refunded.
How should I prepare for the exam?
This section of the CBNC website provides information on the exam content outline, sample questions and a list of references, Preparing to Take the Examination.
What courses does the CBNC recommend for preparation for the exam?
The CBNC does not recommend particular courses. The American Society of Nuclear Cardiology website (www.asnc.org) has a number of courses available and also has an online educational calendar that lists many course in nuclear cardiology, both ASNC and others. Other society websites such as ACC, EANM, ESC and SNM may also have nuclear cardiology course listings.
I saw the list of References in the Candidate Bulletin. How can I obtain those publications?
The Reference document is also published on the CBNC website, where we have included a link to the publishers or associations who produced the materiel listed (http://www.cbnc.org/theexam/references.cfm)
What is the general content of the exam?
Please see the content outline: Examination Outline.
Does the CBNC examination carry CME credit?
No, CBNC is not an ACCME-accredited sponsor of CME credit.
What can I bring with me to the exam?
You will need your valid government-issued Photo ID to be allowed to sit for the exam. An Admission Document is not required this year. A small locker is provided for your use. No devices with memory capabilities, cells phones, calculators, books or notes are permitted in the testing room. Scratch paper will be provided and will be collected at the end of the exam. Notes may not be taken from the test room, nor may notes be retrieved and reviewed from a locker during a break.
What forms of ID are acceptable?
Acceptable forms of photo identification for North American residents are a valid driver's license, passport, military ID, or state ID. Non-North American residents must present a valid passport for identification. These are the only forms of photographic identification that will be accepted. YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TAKE THE EXAMINATION WITHOUT PROPER PHOTOGRAPHIC IDENTIFICATION.
Applicants must cancel IN WRITING to the CBNC office. All submitted materials will be returned to you along with a refund ($795 for certification and $495 for recertification) if cancelation is received by November 19, 2009. CBNC is not able to retain your application material; reapplications for subsequent years must be made in full. Candidates who cancel after November 19 will not receive any refund. Candidates must cancel with both Prometric and CBNC by November 19 in order to receive a refund.
Is it true that if I'm late for the exam, I will not be permitted to sit?
This is correct. Prometric schedules examinations throughout the day. If you are late, it may cut into the scheduled time of the person following you. It is up to Prometric whether they are able to accommodate late arrivals. No refunds will be made to candidates who appear late and are denied entry. CBNC strongly recommends arriving 30 minutes early. Most Prometric testing centers have small lobby areas that accommodate early arrivals.
I have a flight scheduled after the exam; can I bring my luggage with me to the exam?
Most candidates will no longer be flying to a testing center. Examinees will be provided with a small locker; however, large bags probably will not be able to be accommodated. No materials can be brought into the testing room.
Cancellations must be made by November 19, 2009 with both CBNC and Prometric. CBNC must have evidence of cancellation with Prometric before we can issue your refund. Refunds can not be offered to applicants who cancel after November 19, 2009.
I sat for the recent exam. How can I find out whether I passed?
Approximately ten weeks after the exam, candidates will receive by mail a letter indicating whether the candidate passed or failed, along with a diagnostic score report indicating how the candidate scored in each of the content areas. These documents cannot be faxed and scores cannot be given over the phone or by email.
Why does it take so long to get my test results since they are computer graded?
The examination committee reviews each question after the exams are scored. Questions are discarded if they do not meet predefined performance criteria. If statistical evaluation raises a concern about the validity of a question (for example, if a large number of people consistently answer with a different response), then these questions are individually reviewed again to make sure they are accurate. When inaccuracies are identified, these questions may be re-scored or discarded. For these reasons, the entire score process takes approximately ten weeks.
I failed the exam. Can the CBNC hold my application for next year?
CBNC cannot hold applications from one year to the next due to the fact that Eligibility Requirements could change, as well as the fees. All materials submitted are returned to the applicant and some can be used again for future applications.
Questions on Licensure
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I was certified by the Certification Council of Nuclear Cardiology (CCNC), before it became the CBNC in 1999, and want to apply for Authorized User status using the certification pathway. What do I do?
The NRC has ruled that for Non-Agreement States, CCNC certification may be used as a pathway in conjunction with a Preceptor Statement. Those in Agreement States are subject to the requirements established by their state and should contact their state liaison officer. For Agreement State Liaison Officer contact information, see the following website: Directory of Agreement State and Non-Agreement State Directors and State Liaison Officers.
If I can't use my certification as a pathway, what do I need to do to become licensed?
Under 10 CFR Part 35, Medical Use of Byproduct Material, published in the March 30, 2005 Federal Register, cardiologists in Non-Agreement States have two pathways for licensure: 1) 700 hours of supervised work experience, including a minimum of 80 hours of classroom and laboratory or 2) Certification by a medical specialty board whose certification process has been recognized by the NRC. The CBNC is one such board.
In Agreement States, physicians must apply to the appropriate Agreement State office for Authorized User Licensure. For Agreement State Liaison Officer contact information, see the following website: Directory of Agreement State and Non-Agreement State Directors and State Liaison Officers.
I'm in an Agreement State. How do I find out what's required to become an Authorized User?
For Agreement State Liaison Officer contact information, see the following website: Directory of Agreement State and Non-Agreement State Directors and State Liaison Officers.
Questions on Verification of Status
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How can I find a doctor who is certified in Nuclear Cardiology?
The CBNC website has a Who Is Certified searchable database. Click Here. Searchable fields include last name, city, state and country.
Note: It is the responsibility of the Diplomate to keep CBNC apprised of address changes.
The CBNC website has a Who Is Certified searchable database. Click Here
Does the CBNC provide verbal verification of certification status?
Yes, you may contact the CBNC office at +240.631.8151.
Does the CBNC provide written verification of certification status?
Yes, you may contact the CBNC office at +240.631.8151 and staff will be happy to fax or mail verification of certification status on corporate letterhead.
I seem to have lost my certificate. How can I get a replacement?
CBNC can have a replacement certificate mailed to for you. Please be aware that the CBNC office does not maintain copies of certificates. Therefore, it will take 2-3 weeks from receipt of the request to have the replacement mailed.
Cost for replacement is $20. Orders will be processed once the request and check or money order is received in the CBNC office.
Recertification
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My nuclear cardiology certification is ending in the next year. What do I have to do to become recertified?
Please visit the Recertification webpage for details. Applicants may test in any (or all) of years 8, 9 or 10 of their 10 year certification period.