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Top Advice for Getting Your RCIS Certification – Including 5 Tips for Passing

The Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) credential has increasingly become the standard in cardiac catheterization laboratories, especially for medical professionals wanting to stand out. Some facilities require RCIS certification, but you should consider pursuing it even if it’s not required. Professional certification can be a vital career-boosting tool. While everyone has different methods of learning and what works for one person doesn’t work for all, these tips on getting your RCIS certification might provide the insight you need to earn this coveted credential.

Why Become an RCIS?

Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialists assist cardiologists with cardiac catheterization procedures. Catheters are small tubes guided through a patient’s blood vessels and into their heart, or other areas of the cardiovascular system, to help diagnose abnormalities and/or determine if there’s any blockage. These procedures may eliminate the need for more invasive procedures, such as heart surgery.

An RCIS is a specialized cardiovascular technologist, a rapidly growing field per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. BLS indicates that the demand for cardiovascular technologists/technicians should grow 8% between 2020 and 2030. It projects a combined average of 12,000 job openings for medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists/technicians each year over the decade.

What is RCIS Certification?

Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) administers the RCIS exam. CCI RCIS certification is designed for medical professionals working in cardiac catheterization like cardiac cath lab techs, one of the highest-paid allied health specialists. RCIS certification validates an allied health professional’s specialized knowledge, experience, and skills and demonstrates their commitment to professional growth and continued learning. To qualify for the credential, you must meet set requirements and pass the RCIS exam.

What Cardiac Cath Lab Nurses Should Know about RCIS

Although the RCIS is more commonly pursued by allied health professionals, some hospitals require registered nurses who work in the cardiac cath lab to obtain RCIS certification. However, it’s usually a voluntary undertaking.

For RNs interested in getting their RCIS, their nursing degree fulfills one part of the requirements to sit for the exam. They still need the appropriate work experience and must complete the minimum number of procedures. The RCIS exam is the same whether you’re a nurse or an allied health professional, so nurses can utilize the same study guides and methods to prepare for the exam.

Like any professional certification, earning the RCIS adds a valuable credential to your resume that many employers find attractive. Nurses working in the cardiac cath lab may also consider earning their Cardiac Vascular Nursing Certification (CV-BC) in addition to or instead of the RCIS.

Preparing for the RCIS Exam

1. How To Meet the Requirements

The first step to getting your RCIS certification is determining whether you meet the current eligibility requirements. Applicants must have their high school diploma or equivalent and fulfill one of three prerequisites, with documentation confirming their qualifications. Prerequisite options include:

  • Be a graduate of a certificate or degree program or post-secondary education program in nursing, cardiovascular technology, radiologic technology, ultrasound, respiratory therapy, emergency medical technology, or a similar health science program. You also must have one year of full-time invasive cardiovascular technology work experience and performed 600 cardiac diagnostic and/or interventional procedures during your work and/or clinical experience.
    • Required documentation includes a completion certificate and/or transcript, employment verification letter, and clinical experience letter if procedures were completed during a formal education program.
  • Be a graduate of a non-programmatically accredited program in invasive cardiovascular technology with at least one year of specialty training and 800 clinical hours in the cardiac catheterization specialty.
    • Required documentation includes a completion certificate and/or transcript, student verification letter, and clinical verification letter.
  • Be a graduate of an invasive cardiovascular technology program accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education, Council for Higher Education Accreditation, or Canadian Medical Association that specifically accredits programs in cardiovascular technology, vascular technology, or diagnostic cardiac sonography.
    • Required documentation includes a completion certificate and/or transcript and student verification letter.

2. How is the RCIS Exam Setup Different?

Unlike many professional certification exams that only include traditional multiple-choice questions, the CCI RCIS exam consists of a mix of traditional and innovative questions. Traditional multiple-choice questions offer four possible answers and only one correct response. Some test-takers bungle innovative questions, especially those with multiple parts that require you to get all parts of the answer right to count as a correct response. The RCIS exam has three types of innovative questions, including:

  • Innovative drag-and-place questions require test-takers to drag a list of labels into the correct boxes or areas of an image, but they may not use all labels.
  • Innovative hot spot questions require test-takers to click on a specific area of an image to answer the question, with one click necessary in the correct location.
  • Innovative multiple-response questions are like multiple-choice questions, but test-takers may need to supply two or three correct answers from four to six possible answers.

The RCIS test contains 170 questions, including 20 unidentified, unscored, and randomly distributed questions to gather performance data. You have three hours to complete the exam, minus 10 minutes for the pre-exam tutorial and post-exam survey. To pass, you must earn a scaled score of 650 or higher.

3. What’s on the RCIS Test?

CCI bases the RCIS examination content on a Job Task Analysis. The JTA includes tasks a Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist typically performs at work and the knowledge required to perform these tasks. CCI completes a JTA every five years to ensure the exam remains relevant. All exam questions link directly to identified tasks. The CCI RCIS exam overview provides a full Examination Matrix and Task List. The percentage of emphasis placed on specific areas includes:

  • 10% Pre-Procedural Activities
  • 42% Diagnostic Procedures
  • 33% Interventional Procedures
  • 6% Emergency Procedures and Protocols
  • 9% Post-Procedural Activities

The detailed task list provided by CCI has a complete breakdown of duties within each area. Armed with this information, create a study guide and identify the areas you feel are your weakest, so you can be prepared.

Top 5 Tips for Passing the RCIS

1. Gather and Review Relevant Materials

Gather as much information as possible to ensure you have all the relevant information you need based on the task list provided. You’ll find numerous study guides, reference books, practice tests, sample questions, flashcards, and other exam materials online to help you prepare for the RCIS test. Some materials are free, but many have a charge. Save your receipts in case you can write off your test prep materials.

2. Question Previous Test-Takers

Former RCIS test-takers can be valuable sources of insight. Talk to allied health professionals who’ve already passed the RCIS exam to see if they can provide any pointers. Ask about their overall perception of the exam and if any study tips worked particularly well for them. Some RCIS credential holders offer advice online through free blogs and sample questions or have study guides and other materials for purchase. Materials based on the knowledge and experience of professionals who’ve actually taken the exam may be more authoritative than others.

3. Take a Review Course

It’s especially easy to miss questions dealing with procedures not used daily. This is where an in-person or online review course might come in handy. Review courses typically cover most of the content on the RCIS exam and may help direct you to areas you need to concentrate your studies. 

In-person review courses generally take place over one or two days. If you prefer studying over a longer time period, consider an online RCIS review program that may run for several weeks or be self-paced. In-person and online review programs may count towards continuing education credits if provided by an accredited institution or organization. Thus, the cost might offer a twofold benefit.

Although CCI doesn’t endorse or recommend any review courses or materials, it does provide a list of review programs on its site as a service to its applicants.

4. Find a Study Buddy/Group

Some test-takers study better with others. Find a study buddy among your peers who are also attempting the exam if you prefer one-on-one collaboration. If you favor multiple study partners, contact professional invasive cardiovascular organizations to see if they conduct any study groups in your location. If so, determine whether they have a study group operating during the time you’ll be studying and learn what’s required to sign up. These organizations may only offer study groups to their members and may or may not charge a fee.

5. Complete a Self-Assessment Exam

CCI offers a self-assessment exam that’s potentially useful in helping you determine your weak areas. Learning your weaknesses enables you to focus your efforts on the content areas where you’re more likely to miss questions on the exam. However, CCI doesn’t recommend using self-assessment exams as your sole reference or study guide. They’re simply a means to assess your performance before taking the credentialing exam and help you become more familiar with the exam format.

Online CCI RCIS self-assessment exams cost $55 and can be accessed 24/7. You can only take the exam once per purchase and can’t access it again after completion. Once you initiate the exam, you have 72 hours to complete it. Your results include the percentage of questions you answered correctly within each exam content area but don’t include the questions and answers or go over the questions you missed.

You can also find several free or fee-based practice tests online. Some of these tests provide information on the questions you missed. These details may help prevent you from missing similar questions dealing with the same content on the actual exam.

Keep Your Eye on the Prize

Even veteran cath lab professionals with years of experience may not be as prepared to pass the RCIS certification exam as they think. It’s even relatively common for experienced personnel to fail the first time around, simply because they didn’t properly prepare and study for the test. Be sure you’re fully prepared to pass with flying colors by exploring all the different ways you can train for a successful test day. Take a look at the specifics of the CCI RCIS certification to learn more and ensure you’re ready on exam day.

moira
Moira K. McGhee

Moira K. McGhee is Vivian’s Senior Editor & All-Around Wordsmith. As part of the Vivian Health team, she strives to help support the empowerment of nurses and other healthcare professionals in their pursuits to find top-notch travel, staff, local contract and per diem positions faster and easier than ever.

Comments (18)

Hello, I’m a graduate student from a cardiovascular technology program. I did take the RCIS exam, but I fail it.
I did study hard, but it’s a lot of information.
What are the best resources to help me pass the test?
I do have some books, but I’m not a reader. I like doing practice exams and studying on PowerPoints.

Reply

Hello Nay and thanks for reaching out! Numerous practice exams and study guides are available for the RCIS exam online. The best resources for you depend on your preferred study techniques and how much you want to spend on resources. While Vivian Health doesn’t endorse any products, some resources you might consider and decide if they add value to your studies include:

• CCI (the exam provider) offers a Self-Assessment Exam for $55 that you can take once and have 72 hours to complete once you initiate it. (https://cci-online.org/self-assessment-exam/).
• Wes Todd, BS, RCIS, offers study guides and sample questions on his site. Some of his resources are free, but he’s not directly tied to the organization that offers the exam. (http://www.westodd.com/sample_exams.php)
• Springboard offers unlimited access to all kinds of materials for one year for $299. Its resources include an online RCIS exam simulator tool, unlimited randomly generated RCIS-style practice tests and a library of over 1,200 interactive questions. (https://springboardhealthcare.com/sbhc-education/rcis-prep-plus/)

We hope these or other resources you find help you prepare for your RCIS exam and wish you the best of luck on your next attempt!

Reply

I worked in the cath lab at Bay Medical Center in Panama City, FL for 5 years performing LHC, RHC, pacemaker and ICD insertions. I’m not sure of the number of procedures but I worked full time the entire time not counting the on call numbers. I took the exam 4 times but I didn’t pass. In 1985 I passed the EMT Florida license. I got out of the medical field but recently I started working as a Tech Assistant at a hospital in Austelle, GA. I would like to pursue the RCIS license so I could work in the cath lab again, I love the CVL!

Reply

Hello Mark and thanks for reaching out! Since it’s been a while since your experience in the cath lab, you may want to take a refresher course to help you prepare for the test. Also, confirm with Cardiovascular Credentialing International that your previous experience qualifies you to sit for the exam. We wish you the best of luck and hope Vivian can help you with your future job needs!

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How to apply for the rcis exam

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Hello Sabarinath and thanks for reaching out! To apply for the RCIS exam, you must create an online account with Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) and apply through your CCI online account. Create an online profile by clicking the link found at the top of the CCI website (https://cci-online.org/credentials/registered-cardiovascular-invasive-specialist/) next to the search box or sign into your account if you have an existing profile. Before you begin your online submission, collect the information you may need to complete your application, such as contact information and supporting documents in PDF format from your training program(s), contact information and supporting documentation in PDF format from your employer and payment information. Once you submit your application, it takes a minimum of 15 to 20 days for review. You can find more information about the exam here: https://www.vivian.com/certifications/rcis-cci/. We wish you the best of luck in earning your certification!

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Hi there!
I have a question. If you fail the RCIS exam first time how many times you can retake the exam?

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Hello Krissie and thanks for reaching out! According to a customer service specialist at CCI, applicants can take the exam as many times as they like. However, you must complete a new application and pay the required fees each time. There’s also a mandatory waiting period of 45 days between the last time you took the exam and when a new authorization to test will be issued. You can learn a bit more about this certification here: https://www.vivian.com/certifications/rcis-cci/

Reply

Hello,
I currently hold a radiologic technology license and have been working in a hybrid/ cath lab setting for 9 years. Do I need to take a course still or can I have a verified employment proof for my clinical hours and just take the exam?
Thank you!

Reply

Hello Amanda and thanks for reaching out! Your radiologic technology education should fulfill the first part of the requirement, so the issue would likely come down to your experience in the cath lab. Per the qualifications to test published by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI), you must have one year of full-time work experience in invasive cardiovascular technology and performed 600 cardiac diagnostic/interventional procedures in your career which is defined as work experience and/or clinical experience gained during a formal educational program. If you gained your experience through work experience, you need a verification letter from your medical director confirming the number of studies you’ve performed during your employment. If you meet these criteria, you should qualify to sit for the exam without taking a course. However, we suggest contacting CCI directly before applying for the exam to confirm you qualify and learn the precise documentation required for your application to streamline the process. We wish you the best of luck!

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I’m interested in taking the RCIS exam. I have a BS and MS in Exercise Physiology / Kinesiology and just started my PhD. I have no certifications, but I have extensive knowledge of cardiovascular physiology. What is the quickest route to becoming qualified to take the RCIS exam? Are there non-certified positions within a cath lab that will allow me the 600-800 clinical hours of experience required to take the exam? In advance, I appreciate any advice!

Reply

Hi Leanna and thanks for reaching out! Some states/facilities may have non-certified positions within the cath lab, such as a cardiovascular tech assistant or cardiovascular tech intern roles, but these positions may have different job responsibilities that won’t offer the same level of training and experience required to take the RCIS exam. We recommended discussing it with any potential employers to determine if a position meets the requirements for RCIS exam eligibility. Also, confirm this is the appropriate certification for your career goals to ensure it adds value based on the time it takes to complete the process. Good luck!

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Hi! Is there one version of the RCIS exam? In other words if you fail the first time do you have the same exam the next time.

Thank you

Reply

Hello Lismer and thanks for reaching out! Although Cardiovascular Credentialing International’s website doesn’t specifically say how many versions of the exam there are, certification exams are usually different each time. While some questions may appear on multiple versions of the test, it’s doubtful that the entire test would be exactly the same every time. CCI’s website does mention that the RCIS exam includes a mix of traditional and innovative item types, which indicates that it’s randomly generated and would be different each time. If you fail the exam and wish to retake it, you must complete a new application and submit the required fees to retest. You only have to wait one day after failing the exam to submit your retest application, but there’s a 45-day waiting period before you can take the exam for a second time.

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Hi,

Thanks for the great info here. I have a question. I know there is the Glowacki review but is there any other reviews out there that are worth looking at? There is Springboard online prep. Are you familiar with that. There is also this course from Community Colleges of Spokane. I will include links below. Thanks in advance for your help!

Jack

https://www.campusce.net/spokane/course/course.aspx?c=984
https://springboardhealthcare.com/sbhc-education/rcis-prep-plus/

Reply

Thanks for reaching out, Jack! CCI lists the Glowacki & Sommers RCIS Exam Prep because it features one-on-one courses with two experts in the field with over 15 years of experience teaching the RCIS Review Course. You can also attend online Q&A sessions via Zoom if you order the workbook and flash drive version, but this isn’t intended to substitute for taking the course.

The Community College of Spokane online course is a 33-hour course currently available between 9/21/2022 and 12/15/2022. Springboard partnered with Duke Health to develop its courses to help prepare students for the RCIS exam.

You might reach out to the Alliance of Cardiovascular Professionals and/or the Society of Invasive Cardiovascular Professionals to see if these organizations can offer an opinion on these two courses or make any recommendations for others. We recommend always vetting any prep course to ensure it’s a quality program provided by knowledgeable professionals.

Reply

How to apply for the rcis exam

Reply

Hello Sabarinath and thanks for reaching out! To apply for the RCIS exam, you must create an online account with Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) and apply through your CCI online account. Create an online profile by clicking the link found at the top of the CCI website (https://cci-online.org/credentials/registered-cardiovascular-invasive-specialist/) next to the search box or sign into your account if you have an existing profile. Before you begin your online submission, collect the information you may need to complete your application, such as contact information and supporting documents in PDF format from your training program(s), contact information and supporting documentation in PDF format from your employer and payment information. Once you submit your application, it takes a minimum of 15 to 20 days for review. You can find more information about the exam here: https://www.vivian.com/certifications/rcis-cci/. We wish you the best of luck in earning your certification!

Reply

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