Get Credentialed

Application Process


Applications for CCI examinations will be completed online through the CCI website, www.cci-online.org. In order to submit an application, an Online Profile must first be created or an existing profile used. Before starting the online submission, you may need the following information to complete the application:

  • Personal contact information
  • Educational/training program(s) contact information
  • Copy of non-expired government-issued photo identification (e.g., driver’s license, government-issued identification card, or passport photo page).
  • Supporting documents from your training program(s) in PDF format
  • Employer contact information
  • Supporting documentation from your employer(s) in PDF format
  • Payment information

For each CCI examination, an overview is provided as a service of CCI to help candidates prepare for the examination. The overview for each examination includes the following:

  • An examination matrix to illustrate the general distribution of questions and the relative weight or emphasis given to a skill or content area on the examination.
  • A list that describes general areas of knowledge that are needed in order to perform the tasks identified.
  • A task list that describes the activities that a credentialed cardiovascular professional is expected to perform on the job. All examination questions are linked to these tasks.

CCI requires payment of exam fees before processing applications.

Credential ACS CCT CRAT RCCS RCES RCIS RCS RPhS RVS
Specialty Exam Advanced Echocardiography Registry Certified Cardiographic Certified Rhythm Analysis Certified Echocardiography Registry Electrophysiology Registry Invasive Registry Echocardiography Registry Phlebology Registry Vascular Registry
Specialty Exam Fee $450 $175 $175 $365 $365 $365 $365 $365 $365

* All exam fees include a $100 non-refundable filing fee. Other fees may include: Score Verification Request – $50; Returned Check Fee – $25

*Depending upon the active echocardiography ultrasound registry held, the fees for the ACS exam vary.

**For applications received at CCI Headquarters on or after January 1, 2018 the fees for the certificate level exams will increase to $175 USD and the registry exams will increase to $365 USD.

CCI will provide, upon approved request, reasonable accommodations including auxiliary aids and services necessary to afford an individual with a documented disability an equal opportunity to participate in all services, programs, and activities. To request special accommodations, please provide an original letter signed by the applicant and an evaluator, qualified psychologist, physician, or other health care professional who specializes in the stated disability. This letter should include the following:

  1. The specific diagnosed disability
  2. The specific functional limitations
  3. Impact of the functional limitations on the individual’s ability to participate in the testing activity
  4. What accommodations or assistive devices, if any, would cancel or ease the impact of the disability on the candidate’s ability to participate in the examination process

Additional documentation required:

  1. Verification of the evaluator, psychologist, physician, or health care professional credentials and specialty in the diagnosis of the stated disability.
  2. Examples, when possible, of where special accommodations have been requested and granted. If no prior accommodations have been provided, the evaluator, psychologist, physician, or healthcare professional should include a detailed explanation as to why no accommodations were given in the past and why accommodations are needed now.

REQUESTS FOR SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS AND THE REQUIRED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH EACH APPLICATION, INCLUDING RE-EXAMINATIONS.

CCI reserves the right to request additional documentation.

CCI examinations are administered using a computer-based testing format, thus allowing the examinations offered to be taken year-round based on availability at Pearson Testing Centers. There are over 230 Pearson Professional Centers (PPC) in the United States and US territories and over 3000 Pearson VUE Authorized Centers (PVTC) internationally. Examination site availability is provided when scheduling your examination with Pearson VUE. Do not contact Pearson VUE until you have received an Authorization to Test (ATT) from CCI.

It is very important that you carefully review the identification requirements for Pearson VUE that you will be required to present at the testing center.

CCI DOES NOT endorse nor can CCI recommend any review course or review material specifically geared towards passing CCI credentialing examinations. As a service to CCI applicants, links to organizations which may offer review courses for one or a number of CCI's credentialing examinations can be found here: http://cci-online.org/content/review-programs

CCI does offer online self-assessment exams for purchase at a cost of $55 USD. These are intended to be used only as an assessment tool so that applicants/candidates can determine their strengths and weaknesses based on the subject matrix for each examination. Applicants/candidates will not receive exact question/answer combinations; only a score report broken down by the subject matrix will be returned. Click here to order the self-assessment exam(s).

Depending upon the qualification prerequisite you are applying under, you will need one or more supporting documents. Examples are:

  • Supporting documents from your training program(s) in PDF format
  • Supporting documentation from your employer(s) in PDF format
  • Supporting documentation for requesting special testing accommodations in PDF format