Physician Certified Electrophysiology Specialist (CEPS) Exams
The IBHRE Test Writing Committee in collaboration testing agency, Prometric, designed the Certified Electrophysiology Specialist - Adult (CEPS-A) and Certified Electrophysiology - Pediatric (CEPS-P) certification exams. 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? Contact IBHRE at C3@ibhre.org.
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:
IBHRE exams are delivered in 4 sections with 5 minute optional breaks in between. In addition, 15 minutes are allotted for the tutorial and 15 minutes are allotted for the exit survey.
| Certification | Number of Multiple Choice Questions | Test Duration | Appointment Duration |
| CCDS | 200 | 4 hours | 5 hours |
| CEPS | 200 | 4 hours | 5 hours |
| CEPS-A | 175 | 4 hours | 5 hours |
| CEPS-P | 175 | 4 hours | 5 hours |
| CDRMS | 150 | 3.5 hours | 5 hours |
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 more information, please click here to access 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.