12-Lead ECG Board Exam

12-Lead
ECG Board Certification Exam - "Wear the Mark of Distinction"

Scope of Practice

The ECG-BC was developed for any cardiac professional recording, reading, and responding to cardiac anomalies seen in the ECG of cardiac patients; from ECG Instructors to Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Cardiac Nurses, Monitor and ECG Technicians. Three levels of complexity are available: Basic, 12-Lead Intermediate, and Advanced. Basic is intended for technicians and non-acute cardiac nurses, whereas 12-Lead Intermediate is intended for all cardiac nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and physicians. Two years experience is recommended for those considering certification in electrocardiography.

Exam Matrix

100% Electrocardiography: 50% pattern recognition and 50% application of accurate diagnostic criteria.

The exam will contain the following topic areas.

1. Axis determination
2. Bundle branch blocks
3. Ventricular aberration
4. Hemiblocks
5. Atrial arrhythmias
6. Supraventricular arrhythmias
7. Differentiating the wide QRS patterns
8. Ventricular arrhythmias
9. Junctional arrhythmias
10. AV blocks
11. Electrolyte disturbances
12. Myocardial ischemia
13. Myocardial infarction

Eligibility Requirements

For 12-Lead ECG, the applicant must:

Be a Cardiac Monitor or ECG Technician, Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant, or medical student.
Have at least 2 years’ experience in a cardiology setting reading 12-Lead ECGs
Hold the applicable verifiable state license (RN, NP, PA, MD, etc.), or certificate of training if paraprofessional personnel (non-licensed).
Have the physical ability to perform the duties of recording, and reading ECGs of cardiac patients; mobility, sight, and hearing is critical to the job role.
Read the ABCM Certification Handbook found under Home in the Menu panel above and sign off that you have read and agree to its terms and stipulations especially with regard to the Exam Confidentiality Statement (ECS), and the Exam Candidate Agreement (ECA) legally binding you to the terms and conditions therein, including adhering to the code of conduct expected and sworn to by healthcare professionals.

NOTE: ABCM does not recommend this exam for monitor technicians or telemetry nurses unless they are ready to move on to the next level of ECG interpretation. It was originally developed for Acute care cardiac nurses, nurse practitioners, ECG Technicians, and Physicians who record and/or read ECGs in their practice.

This Exam is open to Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Acute Care Cardiac Nurses, ECG Technicians, Cardiology Fellows and Medical students.

Skills and Knowledge are the Key Requirements. Success depends on how well one has applied themselves to studying and reading 12-lead ECGs.

While CMEs or CEs are not required to sit for the Exam, 15 CMEs or CEs in Electrocardiography will be required for the Recertification process every three years.

Certification Handbook

Exam candidates will be required to read and agree to all the stipulations set forth in the Certification Handbook before being eligible for an Exam. After the handbook is read, candidates may apply for an Exam.

To download the Certification Handbook, point to "Home" in the Menu Panel above with your mouse and a drop-down menu will appear that contains the Certification Handbook link for downloading.

Exam Application - Apply Here

Application fee includes a non-refundable administrative fee of $25. Pay the application fee in the dropdown menu under Exams below and fill out your application. After your application is approved you will then be instructed to log back in and pay the fee for the exam of your choice.

Applications will not be processed without the initial application processing fee being paid.

Note: Each candidate must pay for their own Exam with a credit or debit card in their own name, or by check or money order. We no longer accept third party payments.

Pay for Exam Here

After receipt of both the application and payment, ABCM will send an email with instructions on how to set up the Exam.
This process will take up to 5 business days.

After the application validation process is complete an email will be sent with instructions on how to access the Exam Scheduler for online testing, or where to take the Exam in person at a live site.

Pay to Retake an Exam

If you do not pass the exam, you may take it a second time for $125; if you do not pass after the second time, you will be required to wait 30 days before trying the exam again at the full price.

How Many Questions are on the 12-Lead ECG Exam?

There are 35 ECGs to analyze in the Exam which consists of multiple-choice type questions. There is a mix of 12-leads and arrhythmias to analyze.

Time Allotted for the Exam?

2 hours; an average time spent by examinees is 1.5 hours.

Passing Scores

A score of 70% is required to pass the Exam.

What is the Cost of the Exam?

$229.00 for those taking online, group rates available, please request details.

12-Lead​ECG Board Certification Exam - "Wear the Mark of Distinction"