Forthcoming examination | Exam requirements | Documents to submit | Examination process | How to prepare
Forthcoming examination
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Examination Date: 27 June 2011 - 9:00-18:00 - Madrid, Spain
Online registration will be available on March 2011 (Deadline to register: 20 June 2011)
More details and candidate number will be sent with registration confirmation by mid-May 2011.
***Please note that so as to respect exam room capacity, registrations are taken under the basis of first come first served. On-site registration is available, however we encourage pre-registration so as to guarantee a place.
- Application Fee:
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Regular fee
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€200
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EHRA Members fee
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€170
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Re-sit fee
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€100
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In the event that a participant wishes to cancel their registration to the Accreditation exam, written confirmation to the EHRA Accreditation office is required, up to 2 weeks prior the event. A refund of fees will be made.
After this deadline, the candidate will be charged with a penalty of 50% of the accreditation cost and refunded the difference.
In case of unforeseen circumstances (such as death in the family, on-call at the hospital, accident of the candidate...), a proof document will be required and the candidate will be refunded with the entire registration fee.
Requirements
The Accreditation exams are run in two steps:
- Theoretical part: written exam. Candidates will have to pass this first section successfully before going to the second section. The exam is in English. A glossary is provided.
- Practical part: log book section. Candidates must submit a list of at least 100 implantations performed as first operator (including 20 ICDs, 10 CRTs) and follow up of a total of 200 procedures (including 40 ICDs, 20 CRTs) performed during a period 3 consecutive years. Candidates can start compiling their logbook before sitting the Theoretical part. The logbook must be sent through an electronic platform: the E-Logbook. Candidates have 3 years after the exam to provide it.
To apply to the accreditation, candidates have to be a Cardiology Specialist (issued by a National Authority of Health or the European Union or, in the future, by the UEMS)
Documents to submit and complete the Accreditation process after having successfully passed the written exam
Examination
The Accreditation is run in two steps:
- The theoretical examination, compiled by the Accreditation Committee, essentially consists of a 130 multiple-choice question test.
Questions are based on the analysis of practical clinical cases and decision making (60-80%), with the remaining dedicated to theoretical questions.
10 questions out of the 130 are back up questions and are used only for appeal procedures. The final mark is thus based on 120 questions and is calculated on 75% of the 5 best scores and must be superior to 60% of the questions. In case the number of candidates is blow thirty (30) the passing score will be calculated on 75% of the best three (3) scores, and must be superior to 60% of the questions.
Answers are to be reported on a mark sheet.
The examination is designed to be completed in two consecutive parts of 3 hours with a 90 minutes lunch break:
- 9:00 - 12:00: 1st part
- 12:00 - 13:30: Lunch break (lunch is provided by EHRA)
- 13:00 - 16:00: 2nd part*
Participants are required to sign in at least 30 minutes before the start, IDs will be checked.
Participants will have to sign out the registration list upon handing out their copy (for both parts).
*EHRA reserves the right to modify the above schedule if required.
Results are sent within 2 months after the exam, by email.
There is no appeal procedure after the exam. Candidates will be asked to fill in a feedback questionnaire.
- Log book section: once candidates have passed the theoretical examination, they must proof practical experience in the field: Experience in at least 100 implantations (including 20 ICDs, 10 CRTs) and follow up of a total of 200 procedures (including 40 ICDs, 20 CRTs). Experience should be gathered during 3 consecutives years.
Candidates must submit their logbook on the E-Logbook platform.
Upon passing the theoretical examination, candidates will receive the details to access the E-Logbook platform.
Exam candidates from session before June 2010 exam can choose between the E-Logbook and the paper logbook to be sent to the European Heart House - EHRA Accreditation Office (2035 route des Colles - les Templiers - BP 179 - 06903 Sophia Antipolis)
A grader will grade the log books. On average, review process takes 2 months. Upon passing the whole Accreditation process, candidates will receive a diploma.
As a security, candidates should keep a copy of their log book.
Final results are sent by email.
Accreditation is valid for a period of 10 years.
You are allowed to take the written exam before completing the rest of the requirements for accreditation and you will get an official certification if you succeed it.
However, to obtain the Accreditation diploma, you must provide the above documents after at most a period of 3 years.
How to prepare the exam
EHRA offers the possibility to follow Preparatory Courses. Attending the courses may also enable participants to get further knowledge to sit and pass the accreditation exam.
Topic distribution of the written exam questions*
- Cardiac Pacemakers: biophysics and physiology (15-20%)
- Cardiac Pacemakers: indications and pacing modes (15-20%)
- Cardiac Pacemakers: follow-up and dysfunction (15-20%)
- Cardiac Pacemakers: multisite pacing (biatrial, biventricular) (15-20%)
- Other related devices: ICDs (5-10%)
- Clinical rhythmology and related techniques (5-10%)
- Electrocardiography (5-10%)
- Invasive EP (5%)
- Basic electrophysiology and cardiac cell channels (2-5%)
- Other (2-5%)
* Estimation
Suggested Reading List 
Core Curriculum
Download a copy of the Core Curriculum
Question Samples
To view samples of exam questions, please consult: CP Sample Questions
You may consult the list of the Accreditation Committee Members
here or contact the
EHRA Accreditation National delegates 
For any information on the EHRA Accreditation examinations, please send us your message using the Contact Us form