CES-A - Adult Certified ECMO Specialist

The Adult Certified ECMO Specialist (CES-A) exam certifies registered nurses (RNs), respiratory therapists (RRTs), and allied health professionals responsible for monitoring adult Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) procedures. The American Society of ExtraCorporeal Technology (AmSECT) and the International Board of Blood Management (IBBM) administer the Adult Certified ECMO Specialist exam to recognize those with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to effectively perform CES job duties.

Exam Format

The CES-A exam includes 100 multiple-choice questions created from submissions received by subject matter experts. 

The distribution of test items includes the following:

• Anatomy and Physiology 

  • Modes of ECLS and Cannulation (18)

  • Physiology (19)

  • Anatomy (5)

  • Terminology (22)

• Pathology and Pharmacology

  • Organ Preservation (16)

  • Coagulation and Hemostasis (16)

  • Pharmacology (14)

  • Pathology (35)

• Clinical Management

  • Quality Assurance and Documentation (28)

  • Initiation and Weaning (11)

  • Monitoring Patient and Circuit (49)

  • Lab Analysis and POCT (10)

• Catastrophic Events and Device Failure

  • Team Communication (27)

  • Policies and Procedures (45)

  • Safety and Failure Modes (49)

  • Devices (36)

Completion Time: Candidates have 3 hours to complete the CES-A exam

Cost: $150 non-refundable / $50 late fee for submitting application after application deadline / $100 retake fee if taken within 9 months of failing the initial exam

Exam Dates

The IBBM administers the CES-A exam over a three-day window, three times each year. Candidates may schedule their exam during IBBM’s regular business hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (CT).

Eligibility

Professionals interested in the Adult Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation certification exam may apply to take the exam with the following prerequisites: 

• Verifiable employment as an ECMO Specialist

  • CMO Service Medical Director or ECMO Coordinator or Manager must confirm the employment

  • Two years of specialist experience recommended

• Provide the proctor’s name monitoring the online exam

• Examples of acceptable proctors include:

  • The Human Resource Manager if employed at a hospital

  • Local community college staff or instructors

  • Local public library staff or librarians

  • Medical library staff or librarians

• Examples of unacceptable proctors:

  • Relatives

  • Co-workers or peers

  • Supervisors

  • Anyone the exam candidate supervises

Proctor Eligibility Guidelines

Appropriate proctors are trusted individuals able to take a supervisory role during exam administration. Candidates must make initial contact with their proctors to arrange the exam date within the exam windows. Proctors must adhere to established guidelines. They must:

• Have email and reliable internet access to receive critical messages, files, and the IBBM website

• Request and verify the candidate’s identification with an appropriate form of identification, such as a valid driver’s license

• Record examination starts and end times on the Test Verification Form

• Fill out the Test Verification Form and email or fax it to IBBM

• Ensure the candidate doesn’t view the exam before the arranged time

• Ensure candidate complete the exam in one sitting

• Provide an appropriate, comfortable, and distraction-free location for taking the exam

  • The candidate must bring supplies, such as pens, pencils, blank paper, and a non-programmable calculator 

  • Any violation, such as using resources and screen capture, is prohibited and will invalidate the exam

• Shred any paper after the exam

• Monitor the candidate throughout the exam

• Adhere to the 3-hour time limitation

• Ensure the exam is accessed and completed by the date indicated on the IBBM website

Application Process

The exam application period opens two months before the exam date. It’s offered three times per year. To apply, candidates must submit:

• Personal and employer information

• ECMO Medical Director, Coordinator, or Manager information

• Proctor application with the online application form’s upload function or email to [email protected]

• Non-refundable $150 certification exam fee

The CES-A certification is valid for two years. Certified ECMO specialists must provide proof of continued employment as an ECMO specialist and pay a $150 recertification fee.

Login to access the recertification application under “My Certifications” and navigate to the “Completed Certifications” tab. Click the blue “Manage” button.

Certified ECMO specialists must submit their recertification applications no later than February 28 annually or submit a $50 late fee.

Recertification Process

The recertification application includes personal information, employer information, and a letter from the supervisor, program\ director, or ECMO coordinators. Applicants must also provide documentation of ECMO-related continuing education credits and pay the non-refundable $150 fee.

The IBBM board audits every 25th application.

Candidates receive a letter and a new CES-A certificate via postal mail approximately 90 days after receipt and application verification.

Each annual renewal requires documentation of 10 continuing education hours related to ECMO. For example, AmSECT University courses, attendance at an ECMO high-fidelity simulation, ELSO 101 course on ECMO, or wet labs.

AmSECT awards one CEU credit for participating in the ECMO Specialist Exam Review course. It offers four courses in total. Free to AmSECT members or $25 for non-members.

AmSECT University offers an ECMO Specialist Exam Review course in four parts.

• AmSECT Members: Free

• Non-members: $25

The AmSECT and the IBBM also offer the Perioperative Blood Management Technologist (PBMT) certification for allied health professionals working as Autotransfusionist or Platelet Gel/Stem Cell device operators in the surgical setting.

The IBBM also offers Patient Blood Management Specialist (PBMS) certification for professionals with advanced experience in patient blood management. The PBMS exam contains a broader scope of material than the PBMT exam. Candidates may notice similar topics and concepts on the PBMT and PBMS exams.

Other related certifications include the ABCP Certification in Clinical Perfusion (CCP).