Physician EP Exam

Date exam is administered

Activity Description:

When should I arrive at my test center on exam day?
You should plan to arrive at your testing center 30 minutes prior to your start time to allow adequate time to be signed in by the Testing Center Administrator. If you are more than 30 minutes late for your appointment, you will not be permitted to test.

What should I bring with me to the test center?
For the Cardiac EP exam for the Physician – An unexpired Government Issued Photo ID is required. Check your appointment confirmation to ensure that the first and last names on your confirmation and the first and last names on your ID are the same.*

*If the names do not match, you will not be permitted to test. If you find that your names do not match, you must contact IBHRE at least two weeks prior to the exam to obtain a new permit.

You may bring personal items such as cell phones, purses, and food to the testing center but you may not carry those items into the testing room. The Test Center Administrator will provide you with a locker to store your personal belongings while you are testing. For a complete list of the Prometric Test Center Rules and Regulations, be sure to review the Computer Based testing section of this website.

May I bring scratch paper with me into the testing room?
No. Any outside paper or writing instrument is strictly forbidden in the testing room. You may request a laminated sheet and dry erase marker from the Test Center Administrator. If you have to leave the testing room for any reason, you must return the laminated sheet to the Test Center Administrator before exiting.

Will I need to bring my own calculator and caliper to the exam?
No. The testing software is equipped with electronic calculators and calipers which you may use throughout the exam.

May I bring earplugs with me to the testing center to block out typing noises?
Yes. You may bring soft earplugs to use during the exam. The Test Center Administrator must inspect earplugs before you enter the testing room. You may also request noise-blocking headphones at the testing site.

May I bring a magnifying glass with me to see exam questions better?
Candidates should seek prior approval from IBHRE to use a magnifying glass during the exam. The Test Center Administrator will permit candidates with prior approval to bring their own magnifying glass into the testing room upon inspection.

When will my exam session officially begin?
As soon as the Test Center Administrator signs you into your computer using the Candidate Identification Number (CIN) located at the bottom of your permit, your exam will officially begin.

How is the exam structured?
For the Cardiac EP exam for the Physician – After an optional 15-minute tutorial, your exam will begin. The Physician EP exam consists of 175 multiple-choice questions which will be administered over the course of 4.5 hours. The exam is broken down into four modules with Pediatric EPs taking a specially designed Pediatric section for the fourth module. During the exam session, candidates are given 15 minutes for an optional tutorial and a total of 15 minutes of optional break time.

How will I know how much time I have left during my exam?
The testing software is equipped with two timers located in the top left-hand corner of the computer screen. The “Day Remaining” timer tracks the amount of time you have left in your exam session. The “Block Remaining” timer tracks the amount of time you have left in your current exam block.

The “Block Remaining” timer is always set for 54 minutes at the beginning of each block, regardless of how much time is available on the “Day Remaining” timer. The “Day Remaining” timer will continue to run, even during scheduled breaks. If you take more than your allotted break time, the “Day Remaining” timer may run out and close down your exam before you have a chance to complete the final test block. Be sure to pace yourself carefully to ensure that you have adequate time to complete all of the questions. 

How is break time administered?
At the completion of each exam section, you will be prompted to take either a scheduled break or move on to the next test block. If you choose to take a break, you will be responsible for keeping track of your own break time. You will have a total of 15 minutes of break time for the entire exam. If you finish your tutorial early, the remaining time may be applied to scheduled breaks as well. IBHRE strongly recommends that you use care not to exceed the 15 minutes allotted break time to ensure that you have adequate time available to complete the exam. 

May I take a break during a test block?
Yes. A break taken while a test block is still open is called an ‘unauthorized break’. While you are allowed to take unauthorized break time, it is not recommended. Be aware that if you use unauthorized break time, the break time will be deducted directly from your testing time and you will run a risk of not being able to answer all of the questions in the block before time runs out. 

What will happen when I have completed the exam?
Once you have answered all of the questions, you will have the option of taking an exit survey. This survey provides IBHRE with valuable feedback that helps us further develop and improve our examination process. After you have finished the survey, you will receive a printout from the test center indicating that you completed the exam. Once you receive your printout you may leave the test center. Before exiting the testing room, be sure to return any laminated paper or dry erase markers you may have been given to the Test Center Administrator. 

If I have a question about the exam, will the Test Center Administrator be able to help me?
Maybe. Test Center Administrators are employed by Prometric to check-in candidates, sign them into their exams, monitor the exam room for irregularities and cheating behavior, address technical issues, and submit problem reports if necessary. Prometric employees are not equipped with substantive information about the IBHRE exam or the IBHRE certification process and may not be able to answer every question you may have on exam day. If there is a question that a Test Center Administrator cannot answer, please contact the IBHRE Exam Coordinator at 202-464-3414. 

What should I do if I experience technical difficulties during my exam?
Be sure to report any technical or environmental issues that you experience to your Test Center Administrator. They will be responsible for filing a problem report on your behalf. Problem reports are submitted to those responsible for scoring the exams for consideration. In addition, IBHRE reviews all problem reports to identify any recurring issues that may need to be addressed. 

Who should I call if I have complaints about my exam experience?
If you have any questions, concerns or complaints regarding your exam experience you must contact IBHRE by phone at 202-464-3414 or e-mail at info@ibhre.org  within one week (7 days) of the exam to be given due consideration. IBHRE will investigate any complaints received and will provide a prompt response.

Registration Opens date

Thursday, March 26, 2020

Register today for the IBHRE Exam

Activity Description:

How do I apply for the IBHRE exam?
All interested applicants must submit a completed application, provide documentation of eligibility and pay the applicable exam fees by the registration deadline in order to be approved to take the exam. 

How can I confirm my exam registration?
Once your application has been approved, you will receive a formal confirmation and receipt via e-mail. The confirmation letter only confirms the approval of your application and your eligibility to take the exam. It does not confirm that you have scheduled an exam appointment. 

How much does it cost to take the exam?
Exam fees vary depending on which exam a candidate is planning to take. Each exam offers a discounted rate for applicants who apply by the early registration deadline. A discount is also offered to current members of the Heart Rhythm Society. The exam fees charged by IBHRE cover a candidate’s application fee, five hour examination appointment at an authorized Prometric Test Center, test development, exam assessment, scoring, the candidate’s certification pin and certificate (if applicable), and other administrative and overhead costs related to administering the exam. 

I have a disability and may need a special accommodation to take the exam, what should I do?
IBHRE is able to accommodate candidates who qualify for special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. You must submit the IBHRE Special Testing Accommodations/Disability Request Form with your exam application in order to receive an accommodation.

Early registration deadline date

Friday, May 22, 2020

Register by the early registration deadline for a discounted rate.

Final registration deadline date

Thursday, August 6, 2020

Final date to register for the Exam. You will receive emailed instructions to schedule your exam appointment approximately six (6) weeks before the exam.

Activity Description:

4-6 weeks after the exam registration closes, IBHRE will contact exam candidates via email with instructions on how to schedule an appointment online. Visit the Exam Scheduling section to learn specifics on scheduling an appointment. 

Is there a particular start time when I should schedule my exam appointment?
No. Upon scheduling your appointment with Prometric, you may be presented with the option of selecting your start time in which case you are free to choose whichever start time is most convenient for you. In some cases, your choice of start times may be limited and it may be necessary to accept whichever time is available. 

When is the last day that I may schedule my exam appointment?
The final cut-off date to schedule an exam appointment is two business days prior to the exam date, and even then there may be no availability at your preferred testing site. Candidates who attempt to schedule within two days of the exam will not be permitted to schedule an appointment.

IBHRE strongly recommends that you schedule your exam appointment at least thirty (30) days prior to the exam. After 30 days prior to the exam, IBHRE cannot guarantee that an exam appointment will be available at your preferred testing location(s). You may seek assistance from IBHRE when scheduling an appointment until three weeks prior to the exam. If you do not schedule your appointment within three weeks of the exam, IBHRE cannot guarantee assistance with securing a location and cancellation penalties will be enforced.

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