CVNP-BC Level IV Exam for NP/PA

CVNP-BC or CVPA-BC Cardiovascular Nurse Practitioner or Cardiovascular Physician Assistant

Become a Board Certified Cardiac Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant and wear the Mark of Distinction
"CVNP-BC or CVPA-BC"

Exam Application

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.

Scope of Practice

The Scope of Practice for the Cardiac Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assist is like that of the Cardiac Nurse, only the Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants requires expanded knowledge and skills to provide expert care to cardiac patients. Cardiac Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants conduct comprehensive head to toe cardiac assessments, order and interpret diagnostic tests (including laboratory tests) and cardiac procedures, make differential diagnoses, and prescribe both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies for the management of a host of cardiac disorders and anomalies.

Exam Matrix

These are the general topics to be tested on:

Cardiovascular Diseases: Heart Failure, Hypertension, ACS, Cardiomyopathy
Heart Sounds and Bedside Assessment
12-Lead ECG & Arrhythmias
CV Pharmacology
Pacemakers & ICDs
Interventional Cardiology Procedures
Non-Invasive Cardiology Procedures
Non-Invasive Cardiology Diagnostic Procedures

Eligibility Requirements

The eligibility requirements for CVNPs and CVPAs are the same and defined below:

The applicants must:

Be a licensed Registered Nurse Practitioners or Physician Assistant; license will be verified at the time of application review.
Read, and agree to the stipulations set forth in the Certification Handbook, in the online application process.
Hold an appropriate master’s degree.
Have demonstrable experience of working as an NP or PA in a non-acute or acute care cardiology setting for 2 years, or in another cardiac setting.
Have the physical ability to perform at the bedside 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.
Define their work experience on the application form; (does not need to be current or sequential)

While CEs and CMEs are not required to sit for the exam, 30 CEs in General Cardiology 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.

Retake Exam

Pay to Retake an Exam

If you do not pass the exam, you may take it a second time for $199; 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 in the CVNP / CVPA-BC Exam?

There are 200 questions in the Cardiovascular Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant Level IV Board Certification Exam.

Time Allotted for the Exam?

4 hours; the an average time spent by examinees is 3 hours.

Passing Scores

70% is required to pass the CVNP and CVPA Exams.

What is the Cost of the Exam?

Exam cost $429.00 for those taking online, group rates available, please request details.