RCS (CCI) - Registered Cardiac Sonographer

The Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) certification is available for professionals working in the specialty of echocardiography. These nurses provide cardiac ultrasounds to assist providers in diagnosing cardiac conditions. 

For nurses providing echocardiograms, the RCS professional certification offered by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) exemplifies the skills and knowledge required to care for complex health conditions within the procedural environment.

Cost: The cost of application for the RCS exam is $365. The criminal history pre-application fee is $50.

The certification exam is a three-hour, 170 multiple-choice item exam.

To be eligible for the RCS certification exam, you must meet one of the following prerequisites:

• RCS1: Two years of full-time or full-time equivalent work experience in cardiac ultrasound. The applicant must have participated in a minimum of 600 cardiac ultrasound studies at the time of application.

• RCS235: A graduate of a diploma, associate, or baccalaureate academic program with one year full-time or full-time equivalent work experience in cardiac ultrasound and a minimum of 600 cardiac ultrasound studies in their career. This is defined as work experience and/or clinical experience gained during a formal educational program.

• RCS4: A graduate of an accredited program in invasive cardiac ultrasound.

• RCS5: A graduate of a non-accredited program in cardiac ultrasound, which has a minimum of one year of specialty training and includes a minimum of 800 clinical hours in the specialty in which the examination is being requested.

• RCS6: Active ultrasound credential holder with six months of full-time or full-time equivalent work experience in cardiac ultrasound. The applicant must have participated in a minimum of 100 cardiac ultrasound studies at the time of application.

Supporting documentation may include education transcripts, employment verification letters, and clinical experience letters if using procedures completed during a formal education program.

An accredited program includes those recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), United States Department of Education (USDOE), or Canadian Medical Association (CMA) that specifically conducts programmatic accreditation for cardiovascular technology, diagnostic cardiac sonography, or vascular technology.

The RCIS credential is active for 9-12 months after passing the exam offered by CCI. To renew the RCS certification, you will need to meet the following criteria:

• First Renewal: You must pay a $165 fee before the first day of the quarter the following year after you earned the certification. There are no CEU requirements for the first renewal. After completing the first renewal, the certificate is valid for three years.

• Second Renewal: After the three years following your first renewal, you would pay the $165 fee, sign the CCI Code of Ethics, and complete 36 CEUs, 30 of these must be cardiovascular-related.

The CCI offers resources for exam candidates, including:

• Exam Overview

• Self-Assessment Exam (Cost: $55)

• Sample verification letters for employment, students and clinical

The CCI also offers the following:

• Advanced Cardiac Sonographer (ACS)

• Certified Rhythm Analysis Technician (CRAT)

• Registered Congenital Cardiac Sonographer (RCCS)

• Registered Cardiac Electrophysiology Specialist (RCES)

• Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS)

• Registered Phlebology Sonographer (RPhS)

• Registered Vascular Specialist (RVS)

• Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT)

The nurse seeking additional verification of skills in the cardiovascular specialty may also review the following certifications:

• Cardiac Vascular Nursing Certification (CV-BC): This certification is available to nurses through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and validates entry-level knowledge and skills in the care of adult cardiac clients.

• Cardiac Medicine Certification (CMC): The CMC is offered by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurse (AACN) for nurses in adult cardiac care units, home care, interventional cardiology, or cath labs.