RCCS (CCI) - Registered Congenital Cardiac Sonographer

Cardiac sonographers are also known as echocardiographers. They use imaging equipment to capture pictures of the heart to assist physicians with diagnosis and treatment. Congenital cardiac sonographers are trained to obtain ultrasounds on adults and children.

Cardiac sonographers work in hospitals, cardiology clinics, and imaging centers. They perform echocardiograms, assess blood flow, valve function, and chamber size of the heart, record patient data and results, and may help with scheduling or other administrative tasks.

The Registered Congenital Cardiac Sonographer (RCCS) is offered by the Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI).

Fees

The application fee is $365. It includes $100 non-refundable examination filing fee. The pre-application fee is $50.

Exam Format

Exams are computer-based and administered through Pearson VUE Testing Centers. 

There are 170 questions (20 unscored) on the exam with 3 hours allowed for testing. Questions are multiple-choice, select all that apply, image identification, and drag and drop.

How to Qualify for the Registered Congenital Cardiac Sonographer Exam

All applicants must have a high school diploma or GED and meet one of the 5 RCCS prerequisites outlined below. Candidates must provide supporting documentation depending on their prerequisites.

RCCS 1: Complete 2 years of full-time experience in cardiac ultrasound, including a minimum of 600 cardiac ultrasound studies.

RCCS 235: Graduate from a diploma, associate, or bachelor's degree program in health science and one year of full-time experience in cardiac ultrasound with at least 600 cardiac ultrasound studies.

RCCS 4: Graduate from a programmatically accredited program in adult congenital or pediatric cardiac ultrasound.

RCCS 5: Graduate of a non-programmatically accredited program in adult or pediatric cardiac ultrasound with a minimum of 1 year of specialty training and 800 clinical hours.

RCCS 6: Active ultrasound credential holder with 6 months of full-time experience and a minimum of 100 adult congenital or pediatric ultrasound studies.

Applying for the RCCS Examination

Applications are completed online through the Cardiovascular Credentialing International website and include supporting documentation of training programs and employers along with payment. 

Applicants will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) if eligible and will have 90 days to take the exam. The ATT will include instructions on scheduling the exam.

The RCCS credential is valid for 9-12 months. The first renewal is due before the first day of the same quarter of when the credential was first earned of the following year. There are no CE requirements with the first renewal, only a fee of $165 and a signature of compliance to the Code of Ethics.

Following the first renewal, credentials are renewed every 3 years. This includes the same fee and signature requirement as the first year, along with 36 CE credits. 30 credits must be cardiovascular-related, while the other 6 can be any topic from an approved provider.

The CCI offers the following resources for exam candidates:

• Exam Overview

• Self-Assessment Exam (Cost: $55)

• Sample verification letters for employment, students and clinical

The Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) also offers the following:

• Advanced Cardiac Sonographer (ACS)

• Certified Rhythm Analysis Technician (CRAT)

• Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT)

• Registered Cardiac Electrophysiology Specialist (RCES)

• Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS)

• Registered Phlebology Sonographer (RPhS)

• Registered Vascular Specialist (RVS)