CMR - Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Certification | APCA

CMR - Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Certification | APCA
Certifications ＆ Examinations
CBCCT, CBCMR & CBNC
Certification Board of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (CBCMR) Examination
Certification Board of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (CBCMR) Examination
Sign-up for Exam Updates
CMR Certification Application Dates and CBCMR Examination Fees
The CBCMR Examination application window is now closed. Thank you for your interest!
To earn a cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) certification, physician Candidates must meet all prerequisite eligibility criteria and pass a secure, proctored examination called the Certification Board of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (CBCMR) Examination.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the date listed above to receive that fee. No exceptions.
Special Accommodations:
Applicants who have requested testing (“special”) accommodations in their application and are required to submit additional documentation in support of their request must submit all such support documents for receipt by Friday, April 24, 2026. After April 24, 2026, incomplete accommodation requests will be denied.
Regular Application Deadline
Late Application Deadline
APCA Discount
Refund Deadline
Certification
Fee: $1,195
Fee: $1,395
$50
Refund: $895
REGISTRATION OPENS
Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026
Deadline
Wednesday,
April 1, 2026
Deadline
Tuesday,
April 14, 2026
Deadline
Friday,
April 24, 2026
Examination Window:
April 28, 2026 – May 29, 2026
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the date listed above to receive that fee. No exceptions.
Special Accommodations:
Support documents must be submitted by April 24, 2026.
Certification
APCA Discount: $50
Registration OPENS Tue. 1/13/26
Fee:
Deadline:
Regular Application
$1,195
Wed. 4/1/26
Late Application
$1,395
Tue. 4/14/26
Refund:
Deadline:
Refunds
$895
Fri. 4/24/26
Examination Window
April 28 – May 29, 2026
Practice Analyses are conducted to establish and periodically update the CBCMR examination to reflect the frequency and importance of CMR tasks performed by physicians.
The CBCMR examination will be administered during a one-month window each year, at the Pearson test centers located worldwide. Examination results are available on
MY APCA
approximately 60 days after the close of the administration window.
Staff is available to answer any questions regarding CMR certification and CBCMR examination eligibility and can be reached by calling 240-631-8151.​​
Please find the information below for important cardiovascular MR certification eligibility information.
Please consult the full description of CBCMR exam eligibility requirements by visiting the
Certification
tab below​. The CBCMR examination assesses Candidates on their knowledge, skills, and abilities in preparing patients for CMR studies, selecting appropriate protocols, conducting CMR studies in a spectrum of scenarios and interpreting the results, and performing post-processing tasks. Physicians who have passed the CBCMR examination and received their CMR certification report that the certification helps demonstrate their skills and knowledge to colleagues, employers, and patients.
Taking the CBCMR Exam: Everything You Need to Know
Overview
Certification
Apply
Schedule
Prepare
Scoring
​To earn certification in cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), Candidates must meet all requisite eligibility criteria and pass a secure, proctored examination called the CBCMR (Certification Board of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance). Please consult the full description of eligibility requirements by visiting the Certification tab below.
The CBCMR examination assesses Candidates on their knowledge, skills and abilities in preparing patients for CMR studies, selecting appropriate protocols, conducting CMR studies in a spectrum of scenarios and interpreting the results and performing post-processing tasks.
Practice Analyses are conducted to establish and periodically update the CBCMR examination to reflect the frequency and importance of CMR tasks performed by physicians.
The CMR certification examination is administered during a one-month window each year, at the Pearson test centers located worldwide. CBCMR examination results are available on
MY APCA
approximately 60 days after the close of the administration window.
Please note:
The Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (CMR) certification is currently valid for 10 years. The CBCMR is committed to the global standards of physician excellence in patient care and is actively evaluating continued competence models. For additional information, please
click here
​​In 2017, CBCMR conducted its initial analysis of the practice to identify the tasks performed by physicians practicing cardiovascular MR and the knowledge required to perform these tasks. The purpose of this practice analysis is to ensure that the examination content accurately reflects the current practice of cardiovascular MR and secondarily to produce a content outline that can also act as a certification study guide. To accomplish this, a carefully constructed survey is sent to a representative sample of physicians practicing within the profession. The results are analyzed by a cross section of experts in the field. The result is the following outline of knowledge areas upon which the examination in cardiovascular MR is based. Read the
CBCMR Practice Analy​sis Summary Report
​​​​.
The CBCMR certification examination contains approximately 160 questions. The CBCMR examination will cover the following content areas. All percentages are an approximate distribution of the questions across the content areas.​
Use the
CBCMR Certification Content Outline
​ ​​​​as a study guide for optimal preparation for the examination.
(Please click on “CBCMR Content Outline” for the detailed Content Outline in PDF-Printable format).​​​
Prepare for cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) exams [10%]
Review medical history, clinical information, and prior studies; consult with referring providers; and perform or direct pretest patient evaluation and education
​​Evaluate clinical indications considering appropriate use criteria
​Screen for contraindications for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), contrast, stress testing, pharmacologic agents, etc.
Select an appropriate protocol to answer the clinical question
Ensure any implanted devices (e.g., implantable cardioverter defibrillator [ICD], pacemakers) are in magnetic resonance (MR) conditional modes
Select and perform appropriate protocols for specific clinical scenarios [17%]
Morphology and function
​Viability and cardiomyopathy
Stress examinations
Tissue characterization (e.g., t1, t2, t2*) examinations
Valvular examinations
Examinations of the pericardium
Examination of masses
Examination of implanted devices
Simple congenital defects (e.g., atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect)
Complex congenital defects
Coronary examinations
Vascular examinations
Perform CMR exams [18%]
Monitor patient during study
​Manage gating and recognize arrhythmias
Oversee the activities of technologists/medical personnel according to institutional protocols
Monitor scan quality and findings, and modify protocol as needed
Troubleshoot scanning acquisition problems during study
Follow safety guidelines (e.g., MRI safety, emergency situations, SAR)
Administer contrast, pharmacologic agents, etc.
Manage reactions to contrast, pharmacologic agents, etc.
Understand MR physics
Understand physics and principles underlying pulse sequences
Understand MR scanner hardware/instrumentation
Understand pulse sequences
Interpret CMR exams: normal and abnormal anatomy, function, and physiology [13%]
Assess significant extracardiac and extravascular findings
​Recognize scan artifacts and distinguish from pathology
Recognize normal variants and distinguish from pathology
Assess cardiac function
Assess cardiac chambers
Assess native/artificial valves
Assess pericardium
Interpret CMR exams: ischemic and nonischemic heart disease [19%]
Assess for ischemia (stress testing)
Assess ischemic cardiomyopathy and viability
Assess nonischemic cardiomyopathy
Assess dilated cardiomyopathy/noncompaction cardiomyopathy
Assess iron-overload cardiomyopathy
Assess amyloid cardiomyopathy
Assess infiltrative cardiomyopathy
Assess cardiac sarcoidosis
Assess myocarditis
Assess hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Assess arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC)
Interpret CMR exams: cardiac masses, congenital heart disease, and vascular disease [12%]
Assess cardiac masses (e.g., tumor, thrombus)
Assess for simple congenital defects (e.g., atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect)
Assess for complex congenital defects
Assess thoracic aorta
Assess abdominal aorta
Assess pulmonary artery
Assess pulmonary veins
Assess coronary anatomy/anomalies
Assess vascular anatomy/anomalies
Supervise and/or perform post-processing tasks [11%] ​
Supervise and/or perform quantification of morphology, volume, and function
Supervise and/or perform quantification of velocity and flow
Supervise and/or perform quantification of vessel sizes (e.g., aorta, main pulmonary artery, pulmonary veins)
Supervise and/or perform quantification of perfusion
Supervise and/or perform quantitative tissue characterization (e.g., T1, T2, extracellular volume [ECV])
Supervise and/or perform quantification of iron (e.g., T2*)
Supervise and/or perform quantitative late gadolinium enhancement (LGE)
Supervise and/or perform three-dimensional post-processing (e.g., multiplanar reformat [MPR], maximum intensity projection [MIP])
​CBCMR will conduct a periodic analysis of the practice to identify the tasks performed by physicians practicing cardiovascular MR and the knowledge required to perform these tasks. The purpose of this practice analysis is to ensure that the examination content accurately reflects the current practice of cardiovascular MR. To accomplish this, a carefully constructed survey is sent to a representative sample of physicians practicing within the profession. The results are analyzed by a cross section of experts in the field. The result is the following outline of knowledge areas upon which the examination in cardiovascular MR is based.
The certification examination is composed of approximately 160 multiple-choice questions. Candidates will have four (4) hours in which to complete the examination.
Some questions include interpretation of images. Each question contains four options or choices, only one of which is the correct or best answer. The examination question pool will be updated on a regular basis to reflect current knowledge. Individual questions are modified or deleted based on statistical analysis of the examination.
APCA functions under policies intended to demonstrate impartiality, high ethical standards and validity of its certification assessments.
APCA does not restrict Applicants, Candidates or becoming a Certificant based on limiting conditions, such as membership of an association or professional society of any organization. APCA will not unfairly impede or inhibit access to its certification to Applicants, Candidates or Certificants who meet our stated policies regarding qualification requirements, renewal requirements and/or passing APCA’s psychometrically sound certification assessments.
The
CBCMR examination tutorial​
demonstrates the look and feel of the CBCMR certification examination administered at Pearson test centers. This demonstration is not intended to be a study tool for examination content and will not be available at the test centers. Please utilize the fast-forward, rewind and replay buttons to ensure you read each screen entirely and understand the entire demonstration. Please note that the video is a visual tool only and includes no audio.
​Candidates who applied as “Testamurs” and were successful on the examination have no official certification standing with CBCMR. Each Testamur is responsible for contacting CBCMR to request conversion to Diplomate, which must occur within six (6) years from passing the CBCMR Certification examination. For example, if you sit for and passed the CBCMR Certification examination as a Testamur in 2020, you must contact CBCMR and provide the required documentation no later than 12/31/2026 in order to request conversion. Only physicians who are granted Diplomate status are certified and may then present themselves to the public – and designate on letterhead, cards, etc. – that they are “Diplomates of the Certification Board of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance”.
Please follow these steps to convert your status:​
1. Log in to your
MY APCA
account and create or update your contact information in your account. We will only mail your certificate to the address listed in your account.
2. Obtain a picture or PDF version of your ABIM-CD, or CD Subspecialty, ABR or ABNM score letter or certificate.
3. Obtain a picture or PDF version of your current and unrestricted medical license. Please make sure the expiration date is showing.
4. Email your documentation to
CBCMR@inteleos.org
(preferred) or upload it into your
MY APCA
account and inform CBCMR staff via email.
Due to the high volume of conversion requests, please note that we will process requests in the order in which they are received. Requests with all required documentation, and received by Thursday of each week, will be processed by EOB on Friday of the same week. Certificates will be mailed via USPS.
Regardless of when a physician converts his/her status, the certification will expire 10 years from the date of passing the CBCMR Certification examination.
A listing of certified physicians is available to the public and can be accessed by going to the
APCA Directory of Certificants
.​​​
​Please note: In order to view some of the documents below you need to use Internet Explorer.
CBCMR How to Apply Guide
CBCMR Board Verification Attestation – Nuclear Medicine
CBCMR Training and Clinical Experience Attestation – Nuclear Medicine ​
CBCMR Training Attestation – Cardiology/Radiology
CBCMR Clinical Experience Attestation – Cardiology/Radiology/Alternate Board
CBCMR International Specialty Attestation
​​
Special Accommodations Request Form
2026 Examination Scheduling and Cancellation Gu​idelines​
2026 ADA Examination Scheduling and C​ancellation Guidelines​​ ​​
All eligibility requirements must be completed prior to submitting a CBCMR application to APCA. Under no circumstances will an application with incomplete cardiovascular MR training be accepted. If documentation of other requirements is missing or incomplete, a resubmission fee will be assessed. All documentation must be in English or accompanied by a translation.
Medical Licensure
Board Certification
CBCMR Boar​​d Verification Attestation – Nuclear Medicine
CBCMR International Specialty Attestation
Alternate Board Pathway – ​Available through 2023
. Closed to new applicants
Formal Training/ Clinical Experience in Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (MR)​
Clinical CMR Experience Pathway- available through 2029
Continuing Medical Education​
Candidates who do not pass the CBCMR Examination
CBCMR certification applications are processed through our online portal,
MY APCA
MY APCA
is your personal destination for application submission and it will give you access to features such as a status verification letter, a historical view of your examination(s) and certification(s), receipts, application resources and more. Once you are ready to apply for the CBCMR examination you will need to access
MY APCA
Note: If you hold an APCA and/or ARDMS certification, please use your existing
MY APCA
login information and skip to Steps for Completing the Application.
For more details, please visit the
CBCMR How To Apply Guide.
To access
MY APCA
for the first time, please do the following:
Create a new
MY APCA
account by completing and submitting the form here.
An ID number will be emailed to you; be sure to check your spam filter if you don’t receive it promptly.
Use the ID number with the password you created on the form to log in to
MY APCA
​Log in to your
MY APCA
account.
Select Apply Online under the Application Center tab.
Select the appropriate certification examination under Physician Windowed Examinations.
Click on the green
Apply Now
button.
You will be required to attest that you have read, understand, and acknowledge the following:
​​APCA Application Agreement
APCA Compliance Policies
​​​
Follow the prompts to complete and submit the application with payment.
Remember
: you will need to upload your required supporting documentation during the application submission process so be sure to have the required documentation on hand.
Please Note
: Applications are reviewed in the order in which they are received as expeditiously as possible. The turnaround time may be several weeks depending on the volume of applications received and the completeness of the application and documentation.
Once you have successfully applied, your Examination Confirmation Letter (ECL) will be available via the Application Center tab from your
MY APCA
account. Access this information by:
Selecting MY Examinations
Click the Examination Confirmation Letter link under the Actions Available section. ​
Once you have your ECL, you may contact Pearson to schedule an examination appointment. A website address and toll-free number are provided on your ECL to schedule your examination. Test centers are located in the U.S., Canada and many international locations. Examination appointments are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis so please apply and schedule as early as possible.
If you are ineligible, you will be notified of your ineligibility and the reason(s) for that determination.​
​If you require testing accommodations pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please select “Yes” to the question that asks if you require testing accommodations in the application and submit the following along with your completed application:
An original copy of a letter dated within the past five years and typed on official letterhead from a qualified physician or healthcare provider who specializes in the disability. This letter must document the disability and its severity, describe the applicant’s limitation due to the disability and state exactly what accommodations are recommended. The letter must contain an original signature and the physician’s or provider’s credentials.
An original copy of a comprehensive medical evaluation/report of the diagnosed disability from the physician or health care provider, dated within the past five years.
A completed
ADA Special Accommodations Questionnaire
​,​ which must be submitted each time you apply for an examination.​
For more information, visit
Americans with Disabilities Act
​.
​When you arrive at a test center, be prepared to:
Check in with a Test Center Administrator
Present one valid photo identification (ID); see
Test Center Identification Requirements
Provide a digital signature
Have your palm vein scanned​​​​​​​​
Take a test-day photograph
Note
: The only thing that you can bring into the testing room is you. The test centers have lockers you can use to store personal belongings. Study materials as well as food and drink are prohibited in the test center. No visitors, guests, pets or children are allowed.
Important
: Review
APCA’s Examination Admission Compliance policies​
to ensure you are not refused admission at the test center and do not engage in unauthorized examination behavior.
Test centers will provide white boards for notes during the examination upon request.
If you need special accommodations, please select “Yes” for “Special Accommodations” in the application when you apply.​ ​
​Once your CBCMR application has been approved, an Examination Confirmation Letter (ECL) will be emailed to you. You can then schedule your examination with
Pearson
– APCA’s official testing vendor. The ECL will include your eligibility period based on the set administration dates and you are encouraged to schedule promptly to ensure availability .
If you have not done so already, visit
Pearson
to:
Create a Pearson account
Search for APCA and then the CBCMR examination
Search for seat availability
Locate a test center
Schedule an examination
Contact Pearson Customer Service, 877-258-9220 to schedule via phone or ask questions specific to your testing center.
Please note that the CBCMR examinations are listed under APCA. Candidates outside of North America should check
pearsonvue.com/apca​
for regional telephone numbers.
​To reschedule the date and time of your examination during your eligibility period, you must contact Pearson (1-877-258-9220) at least 96 hours prior to the scheduled examination date and time. Candidates outside of North America should check
pearsonvue.com/apca
for regional telephone numbers.
To cancel an examination appointment, you must contact Pearson (1-877-258-9220) and cancel the scheduled appointment no later than 96 hours prior to the scheduled examination appointment time. Candidates outside of North America should check
pearsonvue.com/apca
for regional telephone numbers.
To request a partial refund, you must wait 24 hours after canceling the appointment with Pearson and then submit a cancellation/partial refund request no later than 96 hours prior to the last date of the eligibility period.
To submit this request:
Log in to your
MY APCA
account.
Visit “My Examination/Application Status” under “Application Center.”
Select the examination you wish to request a partial refund for.
Complete and submit the form.
We will refund your examination fee, less the processing fee per examination, unless we receive your request too late, you never schedule your examination or you do not keep your scheduled examination appointment. Then, the entire examination and processing fees are forfeited
If you are found eligible to take an examination, we will email you an Examination Confirmation Letter (ECL) within one to two days of application approval and you will be able to schedule your appointment at that time. The ECL will also be posted to your
MY APCA
account and will include your eligibility period to schedule and take your examination. ​
Tips for Examination Day Success
After all your diligent preparation and hours spent studying, here are a few valuable tips to help make your examination day a success:
​Double check that you know where the test center is before examination day and give yourself plenty of time to get there. Remember, you MUST arrive and register at least 30 minutes before the examination begins.
Get a good night’s sleep before you take your examination. Being well rested and relaxed when you take your examination will help you concentrate.
Bring one form of current and valid identification that complies with the
test center identification requirements​
Travel light. The only thing you can bring into the testing room is you. You can store your personal belongings — your car keys, watch, smartphone, purse, backpack, etc. — in lockers at the test center. The following items are not allowed in test centers: study materials, food, drink, visitors/guests, pets and children.
Request a white board if you plan to jot down notes during the examination. Test centers are using white boards (rather than paper) in an effort to “go green.”
Workstation
The Pearson workstation specifications have been reviewed and tested by APCA and meet or exceed requirements for cardiovascular MR. Some of the questions on the examination include images or movies which may take a few moments to load and during which time the screen may appear blank. This is not a malfunction of the workstation, but rather a delay in uploading the image. If a Candidate has a problem with a workstation he/she may request a workstation change if needed, provided the testing center has availability.
If the examination cannot be delivered due to a test center or workstation failure, power failure, hardware and/or software problems, weather, or conditions which arise from events or circumstances beyond the reasonable control of Pearson or APCA, Pearson will use reasonable efforts to reschedule the Candidate for the examination within the test window dates. If the Candidate cannot be rescheduled within the test window, APCA at its discretion may provide the affected Candidate with an opportunity to take the examination at the next scheduled examination date for a reduced or waived fee. This shall be the Candidate’s sole remedy. In no circumstance will APCA reduce its standards or overturn a Candidate’s score as a means of correcting a problem in the administration.
Examination Appeals
Candidates who fail the examination may appeal their score by following the
APCA Appeals Policy
​. The appeal must be for reasons related to examination administration; Candidates were exposed to testing conditions severe enough t​o cause a major disruption. Appeals based solely on the belief that an examinee prepared intensely and has practiced cardiovascular MR for years or for having missed passing by a number of examination points will not be considered.
In order to consider an appeal based on examination administration or a disruption in the examination process, the incident(s) must have been reported to the Pearson testing center Test Administrator (TA) and to the APCA office as described above under Issues During your Examination section above.  Documentation to support your appeal must be submitted with your appeal request to
appeals@inteleos.org
no later than five (5) days after your examination appointment.
Issues During Your CBCMR Examination
We do not anticipate any problems during the examination, but if a problem does occur, the Candidate MUST report the incident to the Pearson test center staff at the time the examination is being administered and prior to departing the test center on the day of the examination. Candidates are advised to ask the TA for their name and the ticket number assigned to their reported issue or problem. Candidates are then required to notify APCA in writing of the issue or problem with the examination within five (5) days of the scheduled examination time. This notification should include the ticket number assigned by the TA, the TA’s name and be detailed as possible. Email the information to
CBCMR@inteleos.org
Please note:
Pearson offers hundreds of thousands of examinations annually from hundreds of different organizations. The focus of test center personnel is to safeguard the integrity of the examination, not necessarily to assist Candidates. Therefore, if you experience any problems while at your testing center, call APCA staff at 240-631-8151 and we will do our best to assist you.
In 2017, CBCMR conducted its initial analysis of the practice to identify the tasks performed by physicians practicing cardiovascular MR and the knowledge required to perform these tasks. The purpose of this practice analysis is to ensure that the examination content accurately reflects the current practice of cardiovascular MR. To accomplish this, a carefully constructed survey is sent to a representative sample of physicians practicing within the profession. The results are analyzed by a cross section of experts in the field. The result is the following outline of knowledge areas upon which the examination in cardiovascular MR is based. Read the
CBCMR Practice Analy​sis Summary Report
​​​​.
The CBCMR certification examination contains approximately 160 questions. The CBCMR examination will cover the following content areas. All percentages are an approximate distribution of the questions across the content areas.​
CBCMR Certification Content Outline
​ ​​
(Please click on “CBCMR Content Outline” for the detailed Content Outline in PDF-Printable format).​​​
Prepare for cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) exams [10%]
Review medical history, clinical information, and prior studies; consult with referring providers; and perform or direct pretest patient evaluation and education
​​Evaluate clinical indications considering appropriate use criteria
​Screen for contraindications for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), contrast, stress testing, pharmacologic agents, etc.
Select an appropriate protocol to answer the clinical question
Ensure any implanted devices (e.g., implantable cardioverter defibrillator [ICD], pacemakers) are in magnetic resonance (MR) conditional modes
Select and perform appropriate protocols for specific clinical scenarios [17%]
Morphology and function
​Viability and cardiomyopathy
Stress examinations
Tissue characterization (e.g., t1, t2, t2*) examinations
Valvular examinations
Examinations of the pericardium
Examination of masses
Examination of implanted devices
Simple congenital defects (e.g., atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect)
Complex congenital defects
Coronary examinations
Vascular examinations
Perform CMR exams [18%]
Monitor patient during study
​Manage gating and recognize arrhythmias
Oversee the activities of technologists/medical personnel according to institutional protocols
Monitor scan quality and findings, and modify protocol as needed
Troubleshoot scanning acquisition problems during study
Follow safety guidelines (e.g., MRI safety, emergency situations, SAR)
Administer contrast, pharmacologic agents, etc.
Manage reactions to contrast, pharmacologic agents, etc.
Understand MR physics
Understand physics and principles underlying pulse sequences
Understand MR scanner hardware/instrumentation
Understand pulse sequences
Interpret CMR exams: normal and abnormal anatomy, function, and physiology [13%]
Assess significant extracardiac and extravascular findings
​Recognize scan artifacts and distinguish from pathology
Recognize normal variants and distinguish from pathology
Assess cardiac function
Assess cardiac chambers
Assess native/artificial valves
Assess pericardium
Interpret CMR exams: ischemic and nonischemic heart disease [19%]
Assess for ischemia (stress testing)
Assess ischemic cardiomyopathy and viability
Assess nonischemic cardiomyopathy
Assess dilated cardiomyopathy/noncompaction cardiomyopathy
Assess iron-overload cardiomyopathy
Assess amyloid cardiomyopathy
Assess infiltrative cardiomyopathy
Assess cardiac sarcoidosis
Assess myocarditis
Assess hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Assess arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC)
Interpret CMR exams: cardiac masses, congenital heart disease, and vascular disease [12%]
Assess cardiac masses (e.g., tumor, thrombus)
Assess for simple congenital defects (e.g., atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect)
Assess for complex congenital defects
Assess thoracic aorta
Assess abdominal aorta
Assess pulmonary artery
Assess pulmonary veins
Assess coronary anatomy/anomalies
Assess vascular anatomy/anomalies
Supervise and/or perform post-processing tasks [11%] ​
Supervise and/or perform quantification of morphology, volume, and function
Supervise and/or perform quantification of velocity and flow
Supervise and/or perform quantification of vessel sizes (e.g., aorta, main pulmonary artery, pulmonary veins)
Supervise and/or perform quantification of perfusion
Supervise and/or perform quantitative tissue characterization (e.g., T1, T2, extracellular volume [ECV])
Supervise and/or perform quantification of iron (e.g., T2*)
Supervise and/or perform quantitative late gadolinium enhancement (LGE)
Supervise and/or perform three-dimensional post-processing (e.g., multiplanar reformat [MPR], maximum intensity projection [MIP])
The
CBCMR certification examination tutorial​
demonstrates the look and feel of the CBCMR certification examination administered at Pearson test centers. This demonstration is not intended to be a study tool for examination content and will not be available at the test centers. Please utilize the fast-forward, rewind and replay buttons to ensure you read each screen entirely and understand the entire demonstration. Please note that the video is a visual tool only and includes no audio.​
1. What is cardiovascular magnetic resonance?
Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), sometimes known as cardiac MRI, is a medical imaging technology for the non-invasive assessment of the function and structure of the cardiovascular system.
2. What is the cardiovascular MR certification and what is its purpose?
Certification provides practice-based standards against which members of the profession can be assessed. The purposes of the CBCMR Certification Program are as follows:
To establish the domain of the practice of cardiovascular MR for certification
To assess the level of knowledge demonstrated by cardiovascular MR specialists in a valid manner
To encourage professional growth in, and enhance the quality of, the practice of cardiovascular MR
To recognize formally individuals who meet the requirements set by CBCMR
To serve the public by encouraging quality patient care in the practice of cardiovascular MR​
3. What is the contact information of the CBCMR?
1401 Rockville Pike, Suite 600
Rockville, MD 20852
USA Telephone: +240.631.8151
Fax: +301.424.0875
Email: CBCMR@inteleos.org
4. What are the eligibility criteria to sit for the CBCMR certification examination?
All eligibility requirements must be completed prior to submitting a CBCMR application to APCA. Under no circumstances will an application with incomplete cardiovascular magnetic resonance training/experience be accepted. If documentation of other requirements is missing or incomplete, a resubmission fee will be assessed. All documentation must be in English or accompanied by a translation.​
Medical Licensure
Board Certification
Alternate Board Pathway – ​available thro​ugh 2023​
Formal Training/ Clinical Experience in Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (MR)​
Clinical CMR Experience Pathway- available through 2029
Continuing Medical Education​
Candidates who do not pass the CBCMR Examination
Below you will find a full list of professional organizations that are referenced in the CBCMR eligibility requirements.
American Board of Internal Medicine
American College of Cardiology
American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine
American Osteopathic Board of Radiology
European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging
European Society of Cardiology
Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance
The American Board of Nuclear Medicine
The American Board of Pediatrics
The American Board of Radiology
​Determination of Passing Score and Reporting
The passing score for the CBCMR ​​​​​​​​​certification examination is set by an independent national panel of peers representing the disciplines involved in the practice of cardiovascular MR drawn from both private practice and academia. The passing score is based on an expected level of knowledge; it is not related to the distribution of scores obtained during an examination administration. In any given year, a candidate has the same chance of passing the examination whether the group taking the examination at that time tends to have high scores or low scores. In other words, each candidate is measured against a standard of knowledge, not against the performance of the other individuals taking the examination.
The CBCMR examination test result is a PASS or FAIL decision. Examinees will receive a scaled score, ranging from 300 to 700. A scaled score of at least 555 is required to pass the CBCMR examination.
Reporting Scores
Scores are expected to be released and posted to your
MY APCA
account approximately 60 days following the end of the examination administration window. As soon as your score becomes available, you will receive an email sent to the email address you provided when you registered for the examination.  If that email address is no longer accessible by you, please log into your
MY APCA
account to update it. ​
To ensure you receive notification regarding your score availability, add our email address @inteleos.org and
APCA@mail64.subscribermail.com
to your address book and/or “Safe Recipient” list.  Candidates receiving a passing score will be listed on APCA’s
Directory of Certificants​
Request for Score Verification
If you have questions about the accuracy of your score, we can perform a score verification for a $35 USD fee payable by check, money order or credit card. Score verification ensures that the computer counted the correct and incorrect answers appropriately. It does not review the questions and answers.
When deciding whether to have your score verified, please keep in mind that APCA examinations are scored electronically with a high degree of accuracy, and it is unlikely that verification will alter your original score.
If you are interested in obtaining verification, please submit a completed
Examination Score Verification Form
within 30 days from receipt of the score availability email​. If it is incomplete, unsigned or unpaid, it will be returned.
Appeals​​​
A candidate who is not successful in passing the examination may submit an appeal by following the
Examination Appeals Process
standards.
Testamur
Candidates who applied as Testamur and passed the CBCMR examination must provide APCA with documentation of having successfully passed the Cardiology, Nuclear Medicine or Radiology board examination and a copy of their current medical license (with expiration date) before a CBCMR certificate can be mailed and their name can be added to the
Directory of Certificants
​. A copy of the letter from the certifying board or a print-out from the certifying board’s website will be accepted as documentation and can be emailed to
CBCMR@inteleos.org
or alternatively faxed to CBCMR​​​​ at 301-424-0875.
Below are the pass rates for the CBCMR examinations:
2023
Passed: 89%
2022
Passed: 87%
2021
Passed: 85%
2020
Passed: 92%
2019
Passed: 92%
How to Apply Guide
Check Pearson Availability
Sign-up For Exam Updates!
A CBCMR Physician’s Testimonial: “
Certification shows that I have undergone rigorous formal testing developed by my peers and leaders in my subspecialty imaging fields. When I express my opinion in my healthcare system, there has never been any question from any administrator questioning if I am qualified to provide quality assessments.”
– Dr. Elden Rand, MD, CBCMR, CBCCT
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. This website uses Meta Pixel to collect data about your browsing activity to enhance your experience and provide personalized advertising.
Cookie Settings
Accept All
Manage consent
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
Save & Accept