CEPS - Certified Electrophysiology Specialist

The Allied Professionals Certified Electrophysiology Specialist (CEPS) certification validates the knowledge and skills of professionals working with cardiac arrhythmias, ablation, and electrophysiological studies. The International Board of Heart Rhythm Examiners (IBHRE) offers the CEPS exam, accredited by ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB).

Eligibility

To be eligible to take the Allied Professionals CEPS exam, applicants must have completed one of the following requirements:

• 2 years of experience in the cardiac electrophysiology setting with exposure to patient cases in the clinical setting or exposure to technical cases in the industry setting

• Cardiac pacing or electrophysiology training program with at least 6 months of didactic training and hands-on training, and 6 months of experience in the electrophysiology field with exposure to patient cases in the clinical setting or exposure to technical cases in the industry setting

• Registered Cardiac Electrophysiology Specialist (RCES) exam or an equivalent exam, and at least 12 months of clinical patient experience in cardiac electrophysiology with exposure to cardiac device therapy

Applicants must also provide:

• A letter of recommendation from an immediate supervisor, physician supervisor, or colleague on official letterhead confirming the applicant’s:

  • Current position and field of cardiac rhythm management

  • Current or past involvement in Cardiac Pacing, Electrophysiology, or Cardioversion Defibrillation

  • Years of experience

  • Exposure to cardiac rhythm management

• Certificate of completion for training programs or certifications

Completion Time: Candidates have 4 hours to complete the CEPS exam

Cost:

• First-time Candidates, Early, Member: $980

• First-time Candidates, Early, Non-member: $1140

• First-time Candidates, Standard, Member: $1085

• First-time Candidates, Standard, Non-member: $1199

• Retake, Early, Member: $885

• Retake, Early, Non-member: $1040

• Retake, Standard, Member: $990

• Retake, Standard, Non-member: $1090

Exam Format

The Allied Professionals CEPS exam includes 200 multiple-choice questions and candidates have 4 hours to complete it. Exam topics include:

• Physics of Electrophysiology (5%)

• Cardiac Anatomy and Physiology (10%)

• Pharmacology (6%)

• Fundamentals of Electrophysiology (20%)

• Clinical Assessment (8%)

• Laboratory Considerations (10%)

• Invasive Electrophysiology (30%)

• Implantable Devices (5%)

• Real-time and Diagnostic Imaging (5%)

• Research Methodology & Interpretation (1%)

Test Dates

The IBHRE offers the Allied Professionals CEPS exam several times a year. IBHRE changes the dates from year to year and lists them on the CEPS page.

Application Process

Applicants can apply on the IBHRE website during the scheduled registration period. Paper applications are available upon request.

Applicants can pay by check, American Express, Visa, or MasterCard. They should make checks payable to the International Board of Heart Rhythm Examiners or IBHRE.

Once IBHRE accepts a candidate’s application, they receive a confirmation notice within 4 weeks. Between 4 and 6 weeks after registration closes, candidates receive information about scheduling the CEPS exam.

CEPS credentials are valid for 10 years. After 10 years, CEPSs must retake the examination to continue certification. To be eligible for renewal, applicants must:

• Complete the exam by the end of the 10th year

• Confirm active involvement in the field of cardiac rhythm management

• Pay renewal fee

Renewal Fees

• Renewal, Early, Member: $885

• Renewal, Early, Non-member: $1040

• Renewal, Standard, Member: $990

• Renewal, Standard, Non-member: $1090

After 5 years, CEPSs must complete 45 hours of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) in at least 3 different exam content outline areas. The processing fee is $79.

CEUs must be completed and submitted by December 1st of the 5th year of certification. Applicable CEU activities can be in any combination of the following categories:

• Continuing Medical Education (CME) or Continuing Education (CE)

• IBHRE Committee Service

• Lecture/Presentation

• Publications

• College or University Credit

• Industry Training

• Industry Sponsored Education Presentation

For full information, refer to the Verification of CEU policy.

• Computer-Based Testing Tutorials

• Certification Handbook

• Exam Content Outline

• CEPS Reading List

• HRS Core Concepts in EP - A review of comprehensive electrophysiology concepts for $349-$449

• IBHRE’s EP Course with 1-year access to clinical EP and technical concepts for the CEPS exam for $747

Other certifications related to electrophysiology include:

• Allied Professionals Certified Cardiac Device Specialist (CCDS)

• Allied Professionals Cardiac Device Remote Monitoring Specialist (CDRMS)

• Registered Cardiac Electrophysiology Specialist (RCES)

• Certified Rhythm Analysis Technician (CRAT)

• Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCI)