How do I?

Certification

ASCeXAM® Certification for Adult Echocardiography

For licensed physicians practicing adult echocardiography.

Levels of Certification Offered:

  • Transthoracic 2-D and Doppler Echocardiography (t)
  • Transesophageal Echocardiography (e)
  • Transthoracic plus Transesophageal Echocardiography (te)
  • Transthoracic plus Stress Echocardiography (ts)
  • Comprehensive (c) which includes all three procedures – Transthoracic, Transesophageal, and Stress Echocardiography
  1. Ability to provide a current medical license with expiration date or letter of good standing.
  2. Valid ASCeXAM Testamur status during the certification application period
  3. Completed a cardiovascular disease fellowship or be a practicing cardiologist

Testamurs seeking NBE Certification will apply online by uploading the required documentation. Once an application is complete, the Certification Committee will meet to review applications twice a year, and applicants will be notified in writing of the decision. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed by the Certification Committee until all requirements are met.

Certification applicants should select one of the applicable pathways listed below. For more detailed information please refer to the ASCeXAM Certification Handbook.

Supervised Training within ACGME Fellowship (Less than three (3) years out)

Required Documentation

  1. Current Medical License including expiration date
  2. Medical Board Certificate
  3. Fellowship Certificate (Optional)
  4. Notarized Letter from Fellowship (document cases completed during training)

 

Practice Experience

Required Documentation

  1. Current Medical License including expiration date
  2. Medical Board Certificate
  3. Fellowship Certificate (Optional)
  4. Notarized Letter from hospital/practice (document cases completed in practice within the preceding three (3) years)

 

More than Three (3) Years out of Training

Required Documentation

  1. Current Medical License including expiration date
  2. Medical Board Certificate
  3. Fellowship Certificate (Optional)
  4. Notarized Letter from Fellowship (document cases completed during training)
  5. Notarized Letter from hospital/practice (document cases completed in practice within the preceding two years)
  6. Fifteen (15) hours of AMA Category 1 CMEs devoted to echocardiography in the preceding two years

 

ASCE Change of Certification Status ($50 Application Fee)

Required Documentation for Fellowship Pathway

  1. Current Medical License including expiration date
  2. Notarized Letter from fellowship (documenting TEE or stress echo cases not submitted during initial application)

Required Documentation for Practice Experience Pathway

  1. Current Medical License including expiration date
  2. Fellowship Certificate (Optional)
  3. Notarized Letter from hospital/practice (documenting TEE or stress echo cases completed in practice within the preceding two (2) years)

 

Maintenance of Testamur or Diplomate Status

Testamurs and Diplomates of the NBE are required to take the ReASCE in either the 8th, 9th, or 10th year surrounding their 10-year anniversary date to maintain their status with the NBE.

If a Diplomate does take and pass the ReASCE in the compulsory timeframe, but does not submit the required documentation for recertification, the candidate is eligible to apply for recertification at any time before the expiration of their Testamur status. Once their application for recertification is approved, their status will be changed from Testamur to Diplomate of the level in which they were approved.

If a Testamur/Diplomate does NOT take and pass the ReASCE in the compulsory timeframe, the individual must pass the ReASCE and pay a $200.00 reinstatement fee at the time of application. Additionally, Diplomates who do not take the ReASCE in the required 3-year period must meet the initial certification requirements and the CME requirements for recertification.

If Testamur or Diplomate status has lapsed more than 9 years, applicants must take the ASCeXAM.

Example for 2004 Initial Examination Pass Date:

Action Year
Initial Examination Passed 2004
Eligible for Recertification Examination 2021 to 2023
Retake Initial Examination 2024 or later

KEY POINT – At any point after their certification has lapsed, applicants may attempt the initial ASCeXAM and receive certification for 10 years from the year the most recent exam was passed.

Testamurs from 1996-1998 are not required to sit for ReASCE to maintain their Testamur status with the NBE; however, the NBE strongly encourages these individuals to test and demonstrate their knowledge of echocardiography based on this objective standard.

 

*All letters documenting cases completed during training or practice, must be on official letterhead, singed by an approved signor, and notarized, dated and stamped by a notary/justice of the peace/lawyer(barrister) at the time of witnessing the signing of the letter in person. All letters must be the original and not a copy of the original document.*

Supervised Training (Less than three (3) years out)
Sample notarized Letter from Fellowship

Practice Experience
Sample notarized Letter from Practice/Hospital

More than Three (3) Years out of Training
Sample notarized Letter from Fellowship
Sample notarized Letter from Practice/Hospital

ASCE Change of Certification Status
Required Documentation for Fellowship Pathway
Sample notarized Letter from Fellowship

Required Documentation for Practice Experience Pathway 
Sample notarized Letter from Practice/Hospital

Questions?
Contact a Certification Specialist
Our Certification team is available M-F 8:45am-4:45pm EST