Certification Board of Nuclear Cardiology
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The Examination

CBNC Eligibility Changes to be implemented 2007 — 2009 — US Candidates

Changes for 2007 - 2008

  • No change in requirement for medical licensure. CBNC will continue to require a current, unrestricted medical license from a US state or territory.

  • Change in board certification requirements:
    • Board certification in Cardiovascular Disease, Nuclear Medicine, or Radiology only will be accepted.
    • No other board certifications, including internal medicine, will be accepted. However:
      • Candidates who have completed level 2 nuclear cardiology training in an ACGME-accredited training program in Cardiovascular Disease, Nuclear Medicine, or Radiology, but who have not yet passed their respective boards for any of those areas, may take the CBNC examination, but
      • A CBNC certificate will not be issued until the individual submits proof of certification in Cardiovascular Disease, Nuclear Medicine, or Radiology, and
      • This proof of certification must occur within 2 years of the date of the CBNC examination, and will be valid for 10 years from the time of the CBNC examination.
      • Candidates who sat for the CBNC exam in 2005 or 2006 under Internal Medicine certification but did not pass the exam may apply up to 3 consecutive times under this certification.

  • Change in training requirements:
    • Elimination of categories based on specialty and/or period of training.
    • Creation of 2 new pathways to meet the training requirements (see below)
      • Pathway 1 is the more "formal" pathway, i.e. training occurs within an accredited fellowship or residency.
      • Pathway 2, the "alternate pathway," allows individuals to be certified on the basis of training (outside a formal program) or experience.
      • This second pathway will be phased out in 2008. Beginning in 2009, only the formal training pathway will be available.
    • Pathway 1 (for US candidates who received nuclear cardiology training during a residency or fellowship program in Cardiovascular Disease, Nuclear Medicine, or Radiology, 1998 or later, or who subsequently obtained training under the auspices of an accredited program).
      • Nuclear cardiology training must have met ACCF/ASNC COCATS Guidelines in Nuclear Cardiology, Revised 2006, for a minimum of level 2 training. A preceptor letter must be provided, dated no earlier than 12 months prior to application, and must document the dates of the applicant’s training. See Letter Templates.
      • A preceptor must be one of the following:
        • Program Director of an accredited residency or fellowship in Cardiovascular Disease, Nuclear Medicine, or Radiology.
        • Director of Nuclear Cardiology laboratory at an institution with an accredited residency or fellowship in Cardiovascular Disease, Nuclear Medicine, or Radiology.
        • If the preceptor is not an authorized user, a separate letter from an authorized user must be provided to verify that the candidate has appropriate training in radiation safety.
      • U.S. candidates must document Authorized User status or equivalent (e.g., completed radiation safety course)
    • Pathway 2 (for candidates trained before 1998, OR candidates who trained 1998-on but did not receive Level 2 nuclear cardiology training within the context of an accredited residency or fellowship program). Pathway effective in 2007 and 2008 only. These candidates must document:
      • Authorized User status or equivalent (e.g., completed radiation safety course)
      • ongoing experience as evidenced by interpretation of a minimum of 300 cases (current COCATS requirement for level 2) in the preceding 2 years. See Letter Templates.
      • At least 25 hours of CME specific to nuclear cardiology within the preceding 3 years. See Guidance on CME Credit
    • A preceptor letter must be provided, dated no earlier than 12 months prior to application and must document the dates of the applicant’s training. The preceptor must be CBNC, ABNM or ABR-certified.
      • If the preceptor is not an authorized user, a separate letter from an authorized user must be provided to verify that the candidate has appropriate training in radiation safety.
    • NonUS candidates should use the International Preceptor Letter Template.

Beginning in 2009

  • Sole Pathway (effective beginning in 2009)
    • Candidates must document Level 2 training in nuclear cardiology in accordance with ACCF/ASNC COCATS Guidelines in Nuclear Cardiology, Revised 2006. Training must occur at a center that has an ACGME-accredited training program in Cardiovascular Disease, Nuclear Medicine, or Radiology. Classroom and Laboratory Training (CLT) may be taken externally from the program.
    • A preceptor letter must be provided from an individual who can verify the candidate’s total training in nuclear cardiology. The letter must document the dates of the applicant’s training. A preceptor must be one of the following:
      • Program Director of an accredited residency or fellowship in Cardiovascular Disease, Nuclear Medicine, or Radiology.
      • Director of Nuclear Cardiology laboratory at an institution with an accredited residency or fellowship in Cardiovascular Disease, Nuclear Medicine, or Radiology.
      • If the preceptor is not an authorized user, a separate letter from an authorized user must be provided to verify that the candidate has appropriate training in radiation safety.
    • U.S. candidates must document Authorized User status or equivalent (e.g., completed radiation safety course)
    • If training was completed seven (7) or more years prior the date of the CBNC exam for which you are applying, you must provide
      • documentation of at least 300 cases for the preceding two years
      • 25 CME Category I hours in nuclear cardiology taken within the last three years. See Guidance on CME Credit

    All applicants must document Authorized User status or a minimum of 80 hours of Classroom and Laboratory Training (CLT) in radiation safety that meets the NRC topic requirements. The CLT hours must have been taken no longer than seven (7) years prior to the date of the exam for which you are applying.

    Applicants who met board certification and pathway requirements under prior eligibility rules but who did not pass the exam shall have three consecutive years to pass the exam.

Revisions Approved, CBNC Board of Directors, December 2006