Physician Certified Cardiac Device Specialist (CCDS) Exam
The IBHRE Test Writing Committee in collaboration with testing agency, Prometric, designed the CCDS certification examination. Beginning this fall (2023), all exam development and administration will be facilitated by IBHRE's new testing vendor, PSI.
Effective 2022, all newly certified individuals will participate in IBHRE-C3 to maintain certification. Individuals due to recertify 2021-2031 (CCDS, CEPS, CEPS-A, CEPS-P) have the option to recertify via a comprehensive exam or IBHRE-C3.
Questions about IBHRE-C3? Contact IBHRE at C3@ibhre.org.
About IBHRE Exams:
Please see the chart below for the number of items (questions) and exam breaks.
| Exam Name | Exam Duration | Exam 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, 5-minute break between sections | 200 |
| Certified Cardiac Device Specialist (CCDS) | 240 minutes | Sections = 4, three breaks total, 5-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:
This examination assesses essential clinical knowledge relevant to implanting pacemakers and ICDs and the diagnosis and treatment of patients who suffer from heart rhythm disorders. The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions and is administered within a five-hour time limit. Candidates should have broad knowledge in three general areas:
- Basic science
- Applied science and technology
- Clinical practice of cardiac pacing and management of tachy-arrhythmias by the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)
For more information, please click here to access IBHRE's Candidate Handbook.
Target Audience:
Physicians and physician fellows-in-training who implant pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) or perform electrophysiology studies.
- General Cardiologists
- Electrophysiologists
- Pediatricians
- Internists
- Surgeons
- Cardiovascular specialists
- Thoracic surgeons
- Emergency care physicians
- Anesthesiologists
- Hospitalists
- General practitioners
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.