Physician Certified Electrophysiology Specialist (CEPS) Exams
The IBHRE Test Writing Committee, in collaboration with testing agency, designed the Certified Electrophysiology Specialist - Adult (CEPS-A) and Certified Electrophysiology - Pediatric (CEPS-P) certification exams.
All new certifications are valid for four (4) years after which certified Specialists must enroll in the IBHRE continuous competency program.
Note: IBHRE's Board of Directors, at its annual meeting on May 9, 2018, made the decision that the Physician CEPS exam would be given every other year.
About IBHRE Exams:
Please see the chart below for the number of items (questions) and exam breaks.
| Exam Name | Exam Duration | Exam Sections & Breaks | Exam Items |
| Cardiac Device Remote Monitoring Specialist (CDRMS) | 210 minutes | Sections = 2, one break total 5-minute break between sections | 150 |
| Certified Electrophysiology Specialist (CEPS) | 240 minutes | Sections = 4, three breaks total, 6-minute break between sections | 200 |
| Certified Cardiac Device Specialist (CCDS) | 240 minutes | Sections = 4, three breaks total, 6-minute break between sections | 200 |
| Certified Electrophysiology Specialist - Adult (CEPS-A) | 240 minutes | Sections = 4, three breaks total, 5-minute break between sections | 175 |
| Certified Electrophysiology Specialist - Pediatric (CEPS-P) | 240 minutes | Sections = 4, three breaks total, 5-minute break between sections | 175 |
IMPORTANT NOTE: Following completion of each section you may not return to a previous section. There is a hard time-limit allocated to each section.
About the Exam Content:
This examination assesses essential clinical knowledge and judgment in the broad domain of clinical cardiac electrophysiology and the diagnosis and treatment of patients who suffer from heart rhythm disorders. The exam will consist of 175 multiple-choice questions and is administered within a four and a half-hour time limit.
Candidates taking the CEPS-A or CEPS-P exams are expected to have basic knowledge in four general areas:
- Active involvement in the clinical management and care of adult or pediatric patients.
- Basic science as it applies to the management of cardiac arrhythmias, which includes the basic concepts of anatomy, physiology, electrophysiology of conduction, impulse formation, stimulation and drug response, the mechanisms of tachycardia and bradycardia, as well as the pathophysiology and pharmacology pertaining to their management.
- Applied science and technology in the management of arrhythmias, including electrocardiography, mechanism of drug action, interventional management of arrhythmia such as catheter mapping, ablation and implantable device.
- Clinical practice in arrhythmia management, which includes assessment of symptoms, cardiac disease, diagnostic workup, risk stratification, indications for tests, procedures and management of arrhythmia.
For the exam content outline and general information, review IBHRE's Candidate Handbook.
Target Audience:
Physicians who are not qualified to take the ABIM exam due to international training or pathway choices and are actively involved in the clinical management and care of adult or pediatric patients.
Disclaimer:
The International Board of Heart Rhythm Examiners does not condone discrimination with regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability or veteran status in enrollment or employment, nor in the educational programs it operates. The International Board of Heart Rhythm Examiners seeks to make all programs and services, including electronic and information technology, accessible to people with disabilities. In this spirit, and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Board provides healthcare professionals with reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to the programs and activities of the Board.