Eligibility for Non-U.S. Applicants

2024 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR CANDIDATES RESIDING OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES OR WITH TRAINING FROM OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES

Special Notes:
  • Candidates who meet any criteria from outside the U.S. will receive a non-U.S. certificate when they pass the exam. These certificates are not transferable to U.S. certificates at any time. If an individual relocates to the U.S. and subsequently satisfies all requirements for a U.S. candidate, he/she must retake the examination to obtain a U.S. certificate.
  • Individuals enrolled in a fellowship or residency program in Cardiology, Nuclear Medicine, or Radiology may apply to sit for the examination as Testamur candidates.
Requirement 1: Training/Experience in the provision of Nuclear Cardiology Services (Training in nuclear cardiology must be complete at the time of application).
Applicants must submit a preceptor letter to document training in Nuclear Cardiology.  The preceptor letter must be on organizational letterhead, written within the last 36 months, and make one of the following statements:
  • The Applicant has completed training in nuclear cardiology equivalent to ACCF/ASNC COCATS Guidelines for Nuclear Cardiology Training, revised 2015, Level 2 between [MM/YYYY] and [MM/YYYY]
  • The Applicant has completed training that meets the national training requirements for the independent sub-specialist practice of nuclear cardiology in [COUNTRY] on [MM/YYYY].
Also, if the nuclear cardiology training was completed seven or more years prior to the exam for which the Applicant is applying, the letter must also verify ongoing experience as evidenced by interpretation of a minimum of 300 cases in the preceding 24 months.

Requirement 2: Medical Licensure

  • Applicants must, at the time of application, hold a current, unconditional, unrestricted license to practice medicine and must provide a copy of the current license.
  • Testamurs: Applicants on a training medical license must provide a copy of their training medical license in addition to a letter on institutional letterhead from their Program Director stating the duration of training in the program as well as confirming that the individual is a fellow/resident in good standing.  Such individuals will be allowed to sit as Testamurs. Conversion of Testamur status to Diplomate and issuance of a CBNC certificate is contingent on the CBNC office receiving documentation of having a current, unconditional, unrestricted medical license and completion of training. (See below for additional information on conversion of status.)

Requirement 3: Primary Training (Training in Cardiology, Nuclear Medicine or Radiology)

Applicants must submit at least one of the following to establish training in Cardiology, Nuclear Medicine or Radiology.

  • Submit a copy of your degree certificate in Cardiology, Nuclear Medicine or Radiology
  • Submit a copy of your registration as a specialists in Cardiology, Nuclear Medicine or Radiology.
  • Submit a letter of completion from your Cardiology, Nuclear Medicine or Radiology fellowship/residency program.

Documents should be submitted with an English translation.

Testamurs: Applicants currently completing a fellowship/residency in Cardiology, Nuclear Medicine or Radiology are not required to submit any documentation for this requirement. However, conversion of Testamur status to Diplomate and issuance of a CBNC certificate is contingent on the CBNC office receiving documentation of having completed training.  See below for additional information.

Conversion of Testamur to Diplomate Status
Upon passing the CBNC exam, you will have Testamur status until documentation of a current, unconditional medical license and of a diploma or national registration as a specialist in Cardiology, Nuclear Medicine or Radiology have been provided to the CBNC office. Diplomate status will be granted only when all requirements have been met.  Applicants who pass the CBNC examination under Testamur status have six (6) years from passing the exam to present documentation of all requirements.  Regardless of when a Testamur becomes a Diplomate, CBNC certification will expire 10 years from the date of passing the examination.