Prerequisites:

• Anyone interested in advancing their career as an adult Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Specialist can apply.
• The candidate should be employed in the ECMO Specialist Job Description as confirmed by their employer, ECMO service Medical Director, or ECMO Coordinator/Manager.
• The board recommends that the candidate have two years of specialist experience.

🔔 Important Update for Applicants

As of June 11, 2025, a new Supervisor Form and Proctor Form are required as part of the application process. These revised forms replace all previous versions; outdated forms will not be accepted.

In the online CES-A® Certification Application, you will be required to provide:

• Personal information (including mailing address), professional background, employment/facility information, and confirming individual information.
• Completed Proctor Application Form (Proctors must be neutral third parties—no acquaintances, relatives, coworkers, or supervisors. Carefully review the criteria in the Proctor Application Form to avoid delays in approval).
• Completed Supervisor Attestation Form (Must be completed by the candidate’s supervisor, ECMO Coordinator/Manager, or ECMO Medical Director).
• Non-refundable $150 Exam Fee.

Please reach out to ibbm@amsect.org if you have questions regarding the application process.

Upon Application Review

Once an application has been reviewed, applicants will receive an email approving or denying their eligibility to take the exam. The email will contain important information about the exam. APPLICATIONS ARE ONLY REVIEWED DURING THE APPLICATION PERIOD.

One week before exam period opens

Proctors will receive an email with detailed exam instructions and a Test Verification Form. (The Test Verification Form must be completed by the proctor AFTER the exam and returned within 48 hours in order for exam results to be valid).

48 Hours before exam period opens

Candidates will receive an emailed invitation from IBBM Exam Administrator to the test taking platform EasyLMS. Please note: some institutions' security systems may block emails from this address. If you do not receive your access email, please reach out to ibbm@amsect.org.

Examinees may take the online exam at any time during the testing window, with their proctor present. The exam consists of 100 questions, and examinees have three (3) hours to complete it. Preliminary results (exam day results) are provided immediately after completing the exam. The exam day results are final when the exam window closes, and the exams are certified by the Board.

Within 30 days of the exam, passing candidates will receive a digital certificate and non-passing candidates will receive instructions to retake the exam. Paper certificates are available upon request for a $25 fee. To request a paper certificate, email ibbm@amsect.org. The National Office will mail any necessary certification documents within 90 days of the period close.

If the applicant does not pass the exam, a letter will be mailed showing the areas of deficiencies. To retake the exam, applicants must pay a retake fee, submit an updated proctor form, and notify ibbm@amsect.org of their intent to re-take the exam. If the applicant retakes the exam within nine (9) months, the fee is $100.00 USD. IBBM will reach out to those eligible for the discounted retake exam.

In the online CES-A®️ Certification Application, you will be required to provide:

• Personal information (including mailing address), professional background, employment/facility information, and confirming individual information.
• Completed Supervisor Attestation Form (must be completed by the candidate’s supervisor, ECMO Coordinator/Manager, or ECMO Medical Director).
• Completed CEU Activity Information Tracking Sheet.
• Documentation of ten (10) ECMO related Continuing Education Units.
• A $150 non-refundable recertification fee: a late fee will be added to any applications submitted after February (see below for details).

Please reach out to ibbm@amsect.org if you have questions regarding the recertification process.

If there are any issues with the application, we will contact you at the email associated with your AmSECT profile. Applications are reviewed within approximately 30 days, at which time, approved applicants will receive a digital certificate. Paper certificates are available upon request for a $25 fee. To request a paper certificate, email ibbm@amsect.org. The National Office will mail any necessary certification documents within 90 days of the period close.

Note: Every 25th application will be audited by the IBBM board.

Every Adult Certified ECMO Specialist® (CES-A®) must complete the recertification process every two years. Recertification is intended to declare to the public that the CES-A™ continues to meet standards of current knowledge in the field through continuing education and clinical activity. Recertification is required to occur 1-4 months prior to your expiration date.

A $50 late fee will be added to any applications submitted within 3 months of the application period and will increase to $100 thereafter. Failure to recertify within the year of expiration could result in revocation of the certification, which would require the candidate to re-sit for the exam.

The exam is for the adult ECMO Specialist job description described in detail above and designed for non-perfusionists monitoring adult ECMO patients and circuits.

AmSECT and the IBBM recognize the Certified Clinical Perfusionist (CCP) as having validated their ECMO knowledge and skills via the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion’s certification process. However, as a valuable member of the ECMO service, the application is open to CCPs who may wish to sit for the exam.

The Certified ECMO Specialist- Adult (CES-A®) Exam is offered three times a year, typically in May, August, and November. The exam application period begins approximately two months prior to the exam date. The examination period is three days. The exam can be taken anytime during the exam period. Candidates have three (3) hours to complete the exam.

An ECMO Specialist Exam Review course is now available at AmSECT University.

These steps will not work on a mobile device.

1. Log in at my.amsect.org from a computer
2. Click on Certifications › My Certifications
3. Find your Current Certifications
4. Click the blue download button under Certificate