Exam Dates

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.

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

• Personal and employer information: Update your AmSECT profile address to ensure delivery of your certificate. Replacement certificates cost $25.
• Signed and dated letter from your supervisor, program director, or ECMO coordinator confirming your current role, place of employment, and ability to carry out the duties required of an ECMO specialist.
• Non-refundable $150 Exam Fee.
• Completed Proctor Application Form (Proctors must not be peers, relatives, or individuals you supervise. Please carefully review the criteria and guidelines on the Proctor Application Form).

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. 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: Update your AmSECT profile address to ensure delivery of your certificate. Replacement certificates cost $25.
• Employer Information.
• Signed and dated letter from your supervisor, program director, or ECMO coordinator confirming your current role, place of employment, and ability to carry out the duties required of an ECMO specialist.
• Documentation of ten (10) ECMO related Continuing Education Units.
• A completed CEU Activity Information Tracking Sheet.
• 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. 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.

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.