Examinations Frequently Asked Questions

The ASCeXAM® is the examination of special competence in adult echocardiography. The ASCeXAM® is intended for those who wish to demonstrate special competence in all areas of echocardiography. The ReASCE® is the Recertification Examination of Special Competence in Adult Echocardiography designed specifically for those who have previously passed the ASCeXAM®. The purpose of ReASCE® is to promote continued excellence in all areas of echocardiography.

The Advanced PTEeXAM® is the examination of special competence in advanced perioperative transesophageal echocardiography. This examination was originally called the PTEeXAM® and is intended for those who wish to demonstrate special competence in advanced perioperative transesophageal echocardiography. [Scope of Practice: 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.] The RePTE® is the Recertification Examination in Perioperative Transesophageal Echocardiography designed specifically for those who have previously passed the PTEeXAM®. The purpose RePTE® is to allow practitioners to renew their board certification in perioperative transesophageal echocardiography and thereby promote continued excellence in the application of cardiac ultrasound in the perioperative setting.

The Basic PTEeXAM® is the examination of special competence in basic perioperative transesophageal echocardiography. This examination is intended for those who wish to demonstrate special competence in basic perioperative transesophageal echocardiography. [Scope of Practice: 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.]

Early Registration

The early fee will end promptly at 12:00 AM (Midnight) on Tuesday, March 21^st for ALL July 2023 exams!!
*No exceptions will be made beyond this deadline.
*After this deadline all exam fees will increase by $200.00

**Exam registration will end on Tuesday, June 20, 2023**
• No exceptions will be made beyond this deadline.

Refund/Cancellation Policy

Candidates who wish to cancel/withdraw their registration and receive a partial refund (exam fee paid minus $200.00) MUST submit a written request to cancel/withdraw via email to krussell@echoboards.org or info@echoboards.org on or before Wednesday, July 5, 2023.

Any requests received after this deadline will not be processed.

*Deferments are no longer an option. We apologize for any inconvenience. *

For the online application you can pay by VISA , MasterCard, American Express, Discover, or ACH.

Should you wish to pay the examination fee by check or money please contact NBE’s office at (833) 270-1444, (919) 861-5582 or email Krista Russell at krussell@echoboards.org

Dependent on which type of medical license you select at the start of the online application process you will either need to enter your US medical license information when prompted, submit an original, notarized letter of good standing from your program director or if you have a Non-US medical license you will need to supply NBE with a copy of your license in English with a valid expiration date. If you have questions regarding the examination requirements, please see the appropriate Examination Handbook or contact NBE by phone at (919)861-5582 ext. 1259 or email info@echoboards.org.

Click here to view Sample Letter of Good Standing.

Yes. You only need to complete the online examination application, provide payment and submit the appropriate requirement(s). Documentation of your fellowship program is not required to sit for the examination.

No. Registration will end promptly on Tuesday, June 20, 2023.

*No exceptions will be made after this deadline.

Content outlines for the examinations are located in the examination handbooks. NBE does not endorse or recommend any course of study for the examinations.

ASCeXAM®/Advanced PTE®/CCEeXAM®:

Block 1: Tutorial

• Allotted Time-15 minutes
• This tutorial illustrates how the computer-based testing works and gives an opportunity to practice the format prior to beginning the exam.
• This tutorial is optional.
• If you finish the tutorial early the remaining time will be added to the break time.

Block 2: Exam Section

• Allotted Time-54 Minutes
• 40 questions in block

Block 3: Exam Section

• Allotted Time-54 Minutes
• 40 questions in block

Block 4: Exam Section

• Allotted Time-54 Minutes
• 40 questions in block

Block 5: Exam Section

• Allotted Time-54 Minutes
• 40 questions in block

Block 6: Exam Section

• Allotted Time- 54 Minutes
• 40 question in block

Breaks:

• Allotted Time-15 Minutes
• Break time may ONLY be taken between blocks.
  • If you finish the tutorial or a block early, the time remaining will be added to the break time.
  • Further explanation of break time is provided in the tutorial.

Totals for Day:

• Allotted Time: 4 ½ hours for exam including 15 minutes for break(s) and 15 minutes for the tutorial.
  • A maximum of 5 hours
• 200 total items

Basic PTE®/ReASCE®/ReBasic® PTE/RePTE® :

Block 1: Tutorial

• Allotted Time-15 minutes
• This tutorial illustrates how the computer-based testing works and gives an opportunity to practice the format prior to beginning the exam.
• This tutorial is optional.
• If you finish the tutorial early the remaining time will be added to the break time.
• Actual

Block 2: Exam Section

• Allotted Time-42 Minutes
• 30 questions in Block

Block 3: Exam Section

• Allotted Time-42 Minutes
• 30 questions in Block

Block 4: Exam Section

• Allotted Time-42 Minutes
• 30 questions in Block

Block 5: Exam Section

• Allotted Time-42 Minutes
• 30 questions in Block

Block 6: Exam Section

• Alloted Time-42 Minutes
• 30 questions in Block

Breaks:

• Allotted Time-15 Minutes
• Break time may be taken between blocks.
  • If you finish the tutorial or a block early, the time remaining will be added to the break time.
  • Further explanation of break time is provided in the tutorial.

Totals for Day:

• Allotted Time: 3 ½ hours for exam including 15 minutes for break(s) and 15 minutes for the tutorial.
  • A maximum of 4 hours
• 150 total items

The following pass rates are from the 2022 examinations administrations:

• Examination of Special Competence in Adult Echocardiography (ASCeXAM®)- 77%
• Recertification Examination of Special Competence in Adult Echocardiography (ReASCE®)- 84%
• Examination of Special Competence in Advanced Perioperative Transesophageal Echocardiography (Advanced PTEeXAM®)- 92%
• Recertification Examination of Special Competence in Advanced Perioperative Transesophageal (RePTE®)- 90%
• Examination of Special Competence in Critical Care Echocardiography (CCEeXAM®)- 83%
• Examination of Special Competence in Basic Perioperative Transesophageal (Basic PTE®)- 94%
• Recertification Examination of Special Competence in Basic Perioperative Transesophageal (ReBasic® PTE)

Identification (ID) Requirements:

• The first and last name that the candidate uses to register must match exactly the first and last name on both ID’s that are presented on test day.
• All ID’s required must be issued by the country in which the candidate is testing. If the candidate does not have a qualifying primary ID issued from the country they are testing in, an International Travel Passport from their country of citizenship is required, along with a secondary ID.
• Candidate is required to present two forms of original (no photocopies), valid (unexpired) ID’s; one form as a primary ID (government issued with name, recent recognizable photo, and signature) and one form as a secondary ID (with at least a name and signature, or name and recent recognizable photo).

Primary ID:

• International Travel Passport
• Driver’s license
• Military ID (including spouse & dependents)
• Identification card (national/state/province identity card)
• Alien registration card (green card, permanent resident, visa)
• Local language ID (not in Roman characters) – accepted only if issued from the Country the Candidate is testing in

Secondary ID:

• Any ID containing at least name and signature, or name and recent recognizable photo that meets above ID requirement
• In Japan, a valid Blue Japanese Health Card is acceptable

Click here to view Pearson VUE ID Policy.

All of your personal belongings, including watches, wallets, food, and beverages must be placed in a small, designated locker outside the testing room. Pagers and cellular phones must be turned off before placing them in the locker. No personal items may be brought into the examination room.

You may bring soft-foam earplugs into the testing room. However, they must be out of the packaging and ready for inspection by test center staff during check-in. Earplugs must be left at the workstation during all breaks.

Pearson Vue will provide an on-screen calculator, laminated note board, dry eraser markers, and an eraser.

What to expect during your exam:

Learn about the check-in process and test experience so you’re prepared on the day of the exam.

Link for video of exam day procedures: https://youtu.be/L1wNSNzdlNw

Please contact NBE as soon as possible with your correct spelling. Supporting documentation (license, passport, etc.) may be requested.

Approximately two months prior to the exam, dependent on when your application is submitted and completed, you will be sent, via email, instructions on how to download and print your Authorization to Test (ATT). The instructions on how to contact Pearson VUE and schedule your exam will be printed on the permit. You CANNOT contact Pearson VUE to schedule your exam until you download your ATT. A review of Exam Policies and Procedures can be found on the NBE website www.echoboards.org under the Examinations header—“Additional Examinations Information” section.

After receiving your Authorization to Test (ATT), via email, go to http://www.pearsonvue.com/nbe (online scheduling available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week) select schedule my test then choose the Test Sponsor “NBE-National Board of Echocardiography” located under the N-Q tab. You should contact Pearson VUE as soon as you receive the permit. Pearson VUE schedules testing appointments on a first-come, first-serve basis. The sooner you schedule your appointment, the more likely you will receive your preferred test time and location.

Yes. One week prior to the exam, you must confirm your testing center location with Pearson VUE either by phone or via the Pearson VUE website.

You should arrive at the Pearson VUE test site 30 minutes before your scheduled testing time on your testing date. If you arrive more than 30 minutes after your scheduled testing time, you will not be admitted.

You will not be allowed to take the examination.

No. You will not be admitted to the examination without your Authorization to Test (ATT)

In the rare event of a technical problem, testing software is designed to allow the test to restart at the point it was interrupted. In most cases, the test can be restarted at the point of interruption with no loss of testing time. Should it be found that the exam did not restart at the point of interruption or there is evidence of time lost a precise analysis will be conducted and NBE will remedy the situation as it is seen fit. NBE takes all formal complaints into consideration. Please see the Examination Grievance Policy in the corresponding handbook.

Yes. You should immediately notify NBE of all address and/or email changes in order to receive your Scheduling Permit or other important correspondence from NBE. You may notify NBE by logging into your account on www.echoboards.org, send an email to info@echoboards.org or call the NBE headquarters (919)861-5582.

NBE recommends that due to the rapidly changing technology and advances in echocardiography, echocardiographers take an examination at least once every 10 years. The purpose of the ReASCE® examination is to promote continued excellence in the performance and interpretation of cardiac ultrasound. The purpose of the RePTE® examination is to promote continued excellence in the application of cardiac ultrasound in the perioperative setting. These examinations should be considered in conjunction with on-going continuing medical education in the field.

The NBE has developed a Recertification Examination (ReASCE®) that is similar in format to the Examination of Special Competence in Adult Echocardiography (ASCeXAM®) but designed specifically for those who have previously passed the ASCeXAM®. The ASCeXAM® contains 200 items and is 4.5 hours in length, while the ReASCE® exam contains 150 and 3.5 hours in length. Both exams contain 5 exam blocks. The ASCeXAM® blocks contain 40 items each and candidates are given 54 minutes per block while the ReASCE® blocks contain 30 items per block and candidates are given 42 minutes per block.

The NBE has developed a Recertification Examination (RePTE®) that is similar in format to the Examination of Special Competence in Advanced Perioperative Transesophageal Echocardiography (PTEeXAM®) but designed specifically for those who have previously passed the Advanced PTEeXAM®. Both exams contain 5 exam blocks. The Advanced PTEeXAM® blocks contain 40 items each and candidates are given 54 minutes per block while the RePTE® blocks contain 30 items per block and candidates are given 42 minutes per block. The Advanced PTEeXAM® contains 200 items and is 4.5 hours in length, while the RePTE® exam contains 150 items and is 3.5 hours in length.

You will receive an email notification containing instructions to retrieve your score report results approximately 10 weeks after you take the examination. Certificates for passing the exam will be mailed approximately 12 weeks after the score reports are released. NBE’s website should be updated within this same timeframe for verification purposes.

The examination committees review each question for validity after the exams are scored. Questions are discarded if they do not meet predefined performance criteria. If statistical evaluation raises a concern about the validity of a question (for example if a large number of people consistently answer with a different response), then these questions are individually reviewed again to make sure they are accurate. When inaccuracies are identified, these questions can be re-scored or discarded. This process does take some time, but it is worth it to get completely valid scores.

NBE’s examinations are administered on one day each year with the exception of Basic PTE® and ReBasic PTE® which is offered one day every other year. The next Basic PTE® examination will be offered in July of 2024.

Applicants may request that their exam be Re-Scored. There is a $100.00 charge and the process takes 4 to 6 weeks. Print the form for Re-Scoring. Once you have completed the form, please email it to krussell@echoboards.org.

On NBE’s homepage there is a “Click Here for Physician Verification” link. Once you have clicked that link you will need to enter the last name of the physician. This is NBE’s official and public verification page.

If you have questions while using this feature, please call (919)861-5582 or email info@echoboards.org for assistance.

The NBE does not endorse any review courses for the examinations

No, the NBE does not extend CME credits for taking the examination.

An ABIM Board Certified physician who passes the ASCeXAM® or ReASCE® exam may earn 20 points in ABIM’s Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. For additional information about ABIM’s MOC program requirements please visit http://www.abim.org/maintenance-of-certification.

Individuals who passed the ASCeXAM® or Advanced PTEeXAM® are eligible to take the ReASCE® or RePTE® in their 9th (early), 10th (on-time) and 11th (grace) year surrounding their examination expiration date.

For 2019 Recertification Examination Eligibility:

Individuals who are eligible to take their recertification examination in 2019 should have passed the ASCeXAM® or Advanced PTEeXAM® in years 2000-2010. If you passed the ASCeXAM® or Advanced PTEeXAM® prior to year 2000 your status has lapsed and you will NOT be eligible for the recertification examinations but in stead will need to take the initial examination again.

Upon the approval of an application, candidates are sent within 24-48 hours an Authorization to Test (ATT) notification which will include your 1-day eligibility window to take the examination. The ATT provides instructions and details for scheduling your test date and location.

NBE’s examinations are administered on only 1 day at over 230 Pearson Professional Centers (PPC) in the United States and US territories and over 3,000 Pearson VUE Authorized Test 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). Available sites may be viewed at www.pearsonvue.com/nbe.

• IMPORTANT: While the NBE tries to accommodate location preferences, preferred testing sites are NOT guaranteed, and travel may be necessary.

In the event you need to reschedule your examination, contact Pearson VUE at least two full working days in advance of your scheduled appointment.

• Via phone: Call (800) 869-4102, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, Central Standard Time, Monday through Friday (Outside of the U.S. (952) 681-3789).
  • $10.00 fee associated
• Via internet (no fee): Go to www.pearsonvue.com/nbe

If you do not contact the Pearson VUE within 48 hours in advance of your scheduled appointment you cannot reschedule the examination.