Exam Policies

Audit of Applications
To maintain the integrity of its certification program, CBNC may randomly audit applications annually, for up to one year following notification of successful certification or recertification. Candidates whose applications are audited will be asked to submit documentation supporting his/her eligibility to sit for the exam.

In addition, CBNC may request clarification or conduct an audit during review of an application. In such cases, candidates will be contacted by CBNC and asked to submit additional information.

If fraud is discovered, the individual may have his/her Diplomate status revoked and/or be barred from sitting for the exam for up to 3 years.

Preceptors may also be contacted for clarification or verification on documentation or to provide documentation to verify training.

Special Accommodations for Testing
CBNC, in accordance with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA, 1990), provides reasonable and appropriate accommodations for disabled individuals who supply appropriate accommodations for disabled individuals who supply appropriate documentation.

Reasonable accommodations provide disabled candidates with a fair and equal opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skill in the functions being measured by the exam. Reasonable accommodations do not include actions that alter the purpose or nature of the exam. Reasonable accommodations are generally provided for candidates who have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits that person in one or more major life activities (e.g., walking, talking, hearing and performing manual tasks); have a record of such physical or mental impairment; or is regarded as having a physical or mental impairment.

Reasonable accommodations are decided upon based on the individual's specific request, disability, documentation submitted and the appropriateness of the request. The most frequent requests involve providing the candidate with extended time and/or a separate room. No additional cost is placed on the candidate.

Candidates requesting special accommodations must submit CBNC's Request for Special Accommodations Form with their application. Medical documentation from an appropriate licensed professional or certified specialist who diagnosed the disability of specific needs must accompany the request. The documentation must be submitted on the professional’s letterhead, provide a diagnosis of the disability and the test(s) used to determine the disability.

Cancellations and Failure to Take the Examination
In the event a candidate decides for any reason to withdraw from participation in the examination, you must cancel no later than December 03, 2010. If your cancellation is received by that date the candidate will be refunded ($795 for Certification and $495 for Recertification). Non sufficient funds, administrative fees, late fees and resubmission fees will not be refunded. To cancel your appointment, you must first do so with Prometric, either online or by contacting the Regional Call Center, no later than December 03, 2010. Prometric will assess a $25 cancellation fee for appointments cancelled between 3-29 prior to the exam. You must then notify CBNC in writing, with signature and provide your Prometric cancelation number in order to receive a refund. CBNC is not responsible for canceling a scheduled arrangement with Prometric. Evidence of confirmed cancellation with Prometric is required before a refund will be issued by CBNC. Likewise, canceling an exam appointment with Prometric does not automatically prompt a refund from CBNC. Candidates who cancel their appointments with Prometric but do not request a refund in writing from CBNC by December 03, 2010 will forfeit all fees. FAXed (240-631-8152) cancelations are accepted if they include the required information.

If you are a No-Show: Candidates who fail to cancel by December 03, 2010 or for any reason fail to appear at the exam site where he or she has registered to sit for the examination will forfeit all fees paid and no refund will be provided. Candidates deemed eligible to take the exam but who do not schedule an appointment and do not request a refund by December 03, 2010 are considered no-show candidates and forfeit all fees. Candidates who arrive late may not be permitted to sit for the exam. Should this happen, the candidate will forfeit all fees paid and no refund will be provided.

Candidates who cancel participation or fail to sit for the examination will be required to file new applications, pay applicable fees and meet applicable eligibility criteria if they wish to sit for future examinations.

Errors and Disruptions in Examination Administration
Occasionally issues arise in the creation, administration, and scoring of examinations. For example, power failures, hardware and software problems, human errors, or weather problems may interfere with some part of the examination process or delay the reporting of scores. When such problems occur, CBNC may provide the affected candidates with an opportunity to take the examination at the next scheduled examination date for a reduced or waived examination fee. This shall be the candidate's sole remedy. CBNC shall not be liable to any candidate for inconvenience, expense, or other damage, including consequential, incidental, special, or exemplary damages, caused by any problems in the creation, administration, or scoring of an examination, including delays in score reporting. In no circumstance will CBNC reduce its standards or overturn the candidate’s score as a means of correcting a problem in examination administration.

Issues or problems arising during the administration of examinations must be reported to Prometric test center staff by the candidate experiencing the issue or problem at the time the exam is being administered and prior to the candidate departing the test center site on the day the examination is scheduled. Candidates must also notify CBNC of any issues or problems with the administration of the examination within 48 hours of candidate’s scheduled examination time.

Cancellation of Scores
If, for any reason, you decide that you do not want your score reported, you can send a letter or fax to CBNC requesting cancellation of your scores. Alternatively, you can use a Cancellation of Score form. Your written request must be signed and be received within five (5) days after the date of the examination.

A canceled score will not be reported to you. No refunds will be given to candidates requesting score cancellations. To retake the examination after a score cancellation, a new application and fee must be submitted.

Appeals
A failing candidate may appeal a decision of the CBNC by following the CBNC Appeals Policy. Contact the CBNC office to obtain a copy.

Exam data are retained by CBNC for six months following an exam. If there are appeals by candidates, those records will be retained until the appeal process is concluded.

Candidates who fail the exam three or more times
Applicants who have failed the examination three or more times must document the following in addition to any training/experience requirements in place at the time of application:

1. In a Preceptorship with an individual certified by CBNC, ABNM and/or ABR or the osteopathic equivalent and who is an Authorized User
   • A minimum of 4 weeks (160 hours) training (need not be consecutive weeks)
   • A minimum of 100 nuclear cardiology cases read
2. A minimum of 25 hours of nuclear cardiology-specific Category I CME completed within the last 18 months

This training will allow a candidate to sit for three consecutive years.

This documentation must be included with the candidate’s application. This policy supercedes all prior relative to candidates who have failed the examination three or more times.

Approved by the CBNC Board of Directors May 16, 2008

Nondiscrimination Policy
The CBNC does not discriminate against any person on the basis of age, gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, national origin, medical condition, physical disability, or marital status.

Maintenance of Certification
Certification is for a limited period of ten (10) years, after which those holding certificates dated October 26, 1997 or later will need to complete a recertification process in order to maintain their certification.

Changes in Policies and Procedures
The Board of Directors reserves the right to make changes in its Policies and Procedures, including eligibility requirements and fees, from year to year. The Board cannot assume responsibility for giving advance notice thereof.