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

Certification

Advanced PTEeXAM® Advanced Perioperative Transesophageal Echocardiography

For licensed physicians performing advanced perioperative TEE examinations.  

Scope of Work

The application of an advanced perioperative TEE examination is to utilize the full diagnostic potential of perioperative TEE including direction of the perioperative surgical decision-making process.

  1. Ability to provide a current medical license with expiration date or letter of good standing. 
  2. Valid Advanced PTEeXAM® Testamur status during the certification application period 
  3. Completed a Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology and/or Critical Care fellowship or be a practicing Anesthesiologist

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 Advanced PTEeXAM® Certification Handbook. 

 

Supervised Training within ACGME Fellowship  

Required Documentation 

  1. Current Medical License including expiration date 
  1. Medical Board Certificate 
  1. Fellowship Certificate (Optional) 
  1. Notarized Letter from Fellowship (document cases completed during training) 
  1. Log of studied but not performed 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 four (4) consecutive years, with a maximum of no more that 10 years prior to the application.) 
  5. Fifty (50) hours of AMA Category 1 CMEs devoted to echocardiography in the preceding two years 

Maintenance of Testamur or Diplomate Status 

Testamurs and Diplomates of the NBE are required to take the RePTE® examination in either their 8th, 9th, or 10th year surrounding their 10-year anniversary date to maintain their status with the NBE. Individuals who allow their status to lapse will have their names removed from the NBE’s online Testamur/Diplomate listing page.

If a Diplomate does take and pass the RePTE® examination 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; however, when they do apply for recertification he or she will have to pay a $200.00 reinstatement fee along with the recertification requirements. 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 RePTE® examination in the compulsory timeframe, the individual must pass the RePTE and pay a $200.00 reinstatement fee at the time of application. Additionally, Diplomates who do not take the RePTE® in the required 3-year period must meet the initial certification requirements and the CME requirements for recertification along with the $200.00 reinstatement fee.

If Testamur or Diplomat e status has lapsed more than 9 years, applicants must take the Advanced PTEeXAM.

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 Advanced PTEeXAM and receive certification for 10 years from the year the most recent exam was passed

*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 

Sample notarized Letter from Fellowship

Sample Log of studied but not performed cases completed during training

Practice Experience 

Sample notarized Letter from Practice/Hospital

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

Certification

Basic PTEeXAM®Basic Perioperative Transesophageal Echocardiography

For licensed physicians performing basic perioperative TEE examinations, for non-diagnostic purposes.  

Scope of Work

The application of a basic perioperative TEE examination is limited to non-diagnostic use within the customary practice of anesthesiology. Because the goal of and training in basic PTE is focused on intraoperative monitoring rather than specific diagnosis, except in emergent situations, diagnoses requiring intraoperative cardiac surgical intervention or postoperative medical/surgical management must be confirmed by an individual with advanced skills in TEE or by an independent diagnostic technique.

  1. Ability to provide a current medical license with expiration date or letter of good standing.
  2. Valid Advanced PTEeXAM® OR Basic PTEeXAM®  Testamur status during the certification application period
  3. Is board certified in Anesthesiology.

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 Basic PTEeXAM® Certification Handbook.

 

Supervised Training within Residency

Required Documentation

Current Medical License including expiration date

Medical Board Certificate

Fellowship Certificate (Optional)

Notarized Letter from Fellowship (document cases completed during training)

Log of studied but not performed cases completed during training.

 

Practice Experience

Required Documentation

Current Medical License including expiration date

Medical Board Certificate

Fellowship Certificate (Optional)

Notarized Letter from hospital/practice (document cases completed in practice within the preceding four (4) years)

Forty (40) hours of AMA Category 1 CMEs devoted to echocardiography in the preceding two years

 

Extended CME

Required Documentation

Current Medical License including expiration date

Medical Board Certificate

Fellowship Certificate (Optional)

Notarized Letter from hospital/practice (document cases completed in practice within the preceding three years)

ASA/SCA Basic Perioperative TEE Education Program within two years of the application.

 

Supervised Training/Extended CME (Hybrid)

Required Documentation

Current Medical License including expiration date

Medical Board Certificate

Fellowship Certificate (Optional)

Notarized Letter from Fellowship (document cases performed during training)

ASA/SCA Basic Perioperative TEE Education Program within two years of the application.

Maintenance of Testamur or Diplomate Status 

Testamurs and Diplomates of the NBE are required to take the ReBasic® PTE examination in either their 8th, 9th, or 10th year surrounding their 10-year anniversary date to maintain their status with the NBE. Individuals who allow their status to lapse will have their names removed from the NBE’s online Testamur/Diplomate listing page.

If a Diplomate does take and pass the ReBasic® PTE examination 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; however, when they do apply for recertification he or she will have to pay a $200.00 reinstatement fee along with the recertification requirements. 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 ReBasic® PTE examination in the compulsory timeframe, the individual must pass the ReBasic PTE and pay a $200.00 reinstatement fee at the time of application. Additionally, Diplomates who do not take the ReBasic PTE® in the required 3 year period must meet the initial certification requirements and the CME requirements for recertification along with the $200.00 reinstatement fee.

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

Example for 2013 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 Basic PTEeXAM and receive certification for 10 years from the year the most recent exam was passed.

*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

Sample notarized Letter from Fellowship

Sample Log of studied but not performed cases completed during training

 

Practice Experience

Sample notarized Letter from Practice/Hospital

 

Extended CME

Sample notarized Letter from Fellowship

Sample notarized Letter from Practice/Hospital

 

Supervised Training/Extended CME (Hybrid)

Sample notarized Letter from Fellowship

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

Certification

CCEeXAM® Critical Care Echocardiography

For licensed physicians performing critical care echocardiography. 

  1. Ability to provide a current medical license with expiration date or letter of good standing.  
  2. Valid CCEeXAM® Testamur status during the certification application period 
  3. Completed a Critical Care fellowship or be a practicing physician. 

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 CCEeXAM® Certification Handbook. 

Supervised Training within ACGME Fellowship  

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. Log of performed and interpreted cases completed during training 

Practice Experience 

Required Documentation 

  1. Current Medical License including expiration date 
  2. Medical Board Certificate 
  3. Fellowship Certificate or a Notarized Letter from hospital/practice (document hours administered on critically ill patients in practice within the preceding three (3) years) – Requirement 4 
  4. Notarized Letter from hospital/practice (document cases completed in practice within the preceding three (3) years) – Requirement 5  
  5. Log of performed and interpreted cases completed in practice. 
  6. Twenty (20) hours of AMA Category 1 CMEs devoted to echocardiography in the preceding three years 

Supervised Training/Practice (Hybrid) 

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. Log of performed and interpreted cases completed during training 
  6. Notarized Letter from hospital/practice (document cases completed in practice within the preceding three (3) years) 
  7. Log of performed and interpreted cases completed in practice. 
  8. Twenty (20) hours of AMA Category 1 CMEs devoted to echocardiography in the preceding three years 

There is not a current recertification process available at this time. 

*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  

Sample notarized Letter from Fellowship

Log of performed and interpreted cases completed during training

Practice Experience 

Sample notarized Letter from Practice/Hospital documenting hours (Requirement 4)

Sample notarized Letter from Practice/Hospital documenting case numbers from mentor (Requirement 5)

Log of performed and interpreted cases completed in practice

Supervised Training/Practice (Hybrid) 

Sample notarized Letter from Fellowship

Log of performed and interpreted cases completed during training

Sample notarized Letter from Practice/Hospital

Log of performed and interpreted cases completed in practice

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