Applicants must, at the time of application, hold a current, unrestricted license to practice medicine in the U.S. or their country of residence. 

Testamur status 

Applicants with a training medical license may apply to sit for the examination in Testamur status provided that, at the time of application: 

• They are in their penultimate or final year of Cardiology, Nuclear Medicine, or Radiology training; or 

• Have completed training within 24 months of application for CBCMR. 

Upon successfully passing the CBCMR examination, Testamur candidates remain in that status until documentation of a current, unconditional, unrestricted medical license and board certification is received. Applicants who pass the CBCMR examination under Testamur status have six years from the date of passing the examination to document all requirements. Regardless of when a Testamur becomes a Diplomate, CBCMR certification expires 10 years from the date of passing the examination. 

Applicants must be physicians who, at the time of application, hold one or more of the following board certifications. 

• ​Cardiovascular Disease – Board Certified in Cardiovascular Disease by the American Board of Internal Medicine, OR from an ABIM Cardiology subspecialty, OR in Cardiology from the American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine OR the American Board of Pediatrics in cardiology ​​ 

• ​Nuclear Medicine – Board Certified in Nuclear Medicine by the American Board of Nuclear Medicine OR the American Osteopathic Board of Nuclear Medicine 

• Radiology – Board Certified in Radiology by the American Board of Radiology OR the American Osteopathic Board of Radiology 

Nuclear Medicine applicants may carry additional requirements and must provide verification of board specialty type by completing and uploading the CBCMR Board Verification Attestation with the application.  

Fellows, residents, and other Testamur applicants may apply under the training-status licensure rules.  

Training completed outside the U.S. may be documented through equivalent medical specialty board certification or, where a board exam does not exist, a letter of completion following the international training letter requirements. 

Alternate Board Clinical CMR Experience Pathway through 2029 

Candidates with extensive experience in cardiovascular magnetic resonance but not board certified in Cardiology, Nuclear Medicine, or Radiology may meet eligibility by documenting their experience as detailed. 

Formal CMR training 

Applicants with formal training in cardiovascular magnetic resonance may qualify through:  

• COCATS 4 Task Force 8: Training in Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Level 2 (or 3) OR 
• SCMR Guidelines for Training in Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (CMR): Level 2 (or 3) OR 
• European CMR Certification: Level 2 (or 3) OR 
• ACR-NASCI-SPR Practice Parameter for the Performance and Interpretation of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) ​and qualified according to Section III.A.1 – Physician with prior qualification in general MRI 

Alternate Board Clinical CMR Experience Pathway through 2029 

Applicants without formal cardiovascular magnetic resonance training may meet eligibility by documenting:  

• Three years of cardiovascular magnetic resonance clinical practice completed within the last five years, and  
• 300 total cases directly performed and interpreted, with case logs and attestation as specified.  

Case logs should not be submitted with the application but are subject to audit.

If applying more than 36 months after training completion or the date on an SCMR verification letter or EuroCMR certification document, the applicant must be able to document 100 CMR cases in the previous 24 months, subject to audit.  

• Applicants must document completion of 15 hours of AMA PRA Category I CME that are CMR specific in the 60 months prior to application submission.  
• Applicants are exempt if an ACGME- or AOA-accredited fellowship or residency, an advanced imaging fellowship, or a formal training program from outside the U.S. was completed up to 36 months prior to the date of application.  
• Applicants with training outside the U.S. must document 15 education or lecture hours that are CMR specific in the 60 months prior to application. 

Unsuccessful candidates
Candidates who are unsuccessful, or who withdrew or were a No-Show, may reapply in future years and must meet the applicable eligibility criteria in the year of application.  

Additional training after three unsuccessful attempts
Candidates unsuccessful after three attempts may not reapply in the immediate administration following the third attempt and must provide an additional 20 AMA PRA Category I CMR-specific CME earned after the third unsuccessful attempt and within the 24 months immediately preceding application submission.  

Special closed-pathway rules also apply to the Clinical CMR Experience Pathway candidates, as stated in the original requirements. 

• 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

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. 

Applicants may document licensure with: 

• A photocopy of a medical license wallet card,  
• A photocopy of a wall-mounted license, or 
• A  printout from a state medical board website to document licensure.  

At a minimum, the documentation must include the applicant’s name, issuing state/country, status, and expiration date if issued in the U.S. 

One of the following documents verifying Board certification must be submitted with the application: 

• A letter from the certifying Board verifying passing of the Board exam including the effective and expiration dates 
• A certificate from the certifying Board showing the effective and expiration dates 
• A print-out from the certifying Board’s website showing the effective and expiration dates 
• For non-U.S.-trained physicians, a copy of equivalent documentation verifying training credentials and/or national registration as a specialist in Cardiology, Nuclear Medicine or Radiology 

​​Physicians with Board Certification In Nuclear Medicine ​ 

All nuclear medicine physicians must also provide verification of their nuclear medicine board specialty type. 

• CBCMR Board Verification Attestation 

Alternate Board Clinical CMR Experience Pathway through 2029
Candidates with extensive experience in cardiovascular magnetic resonance but not Board Certified in Cardiology, Nuclear Medicine or Radiology may meet eligibility by documenting their training and experience as detailed. 

One or more of the following  verifying training and experience must be submitted with the application: 

• ​CBCMR Training Attestation – Cardiology/Radiology​ 
• CBCMR Training and Clinical Experience Attestation – Nuclear Medicine ​(for physicians who are/will be board certified in nuclear medicine) 

Alternate Board Clinical CMR Experience Pathway through 2029
Applicants without formal cardiovascular magnetic resonance training may meet eligibility through Clinical Experience by documenting the following: 

• 3 years of cardiovascular magnetic resonance clinical practice (completed within the last 5 years), and 
• 300 total cases DIRECTLY performed and interpreted, with case logs and attestation (at least 50% cases cine morphology and delayed enhancement)​ 
• ​CBCMR Clinical Experience Attestation – Cardiology/Radiology/Alternate Board​

If applying more than 36 months since completion of training or the date provided on an SCMR verification letter/EuroCMR Certification document, the applicant must be able to document 100 CMR cases in the previous 24 months, subject to audit. 

Do not submit cases or case log with application. 

​​​Applicants must provide documentation of completion of 15 hours of AMA PRA​ Category I CME that are CMR specific in the 60 months prior to application submission for the CBCMR examination.

• Certificate from AMA PRA Category 1 CME provider identifying the name of the course, program or conference, dates attended, credit hours earned and Program Director(s) name.  If CME was earned by attendance at a multimodality conference/meeting it is the Applicant’s responsibility to provide documentation for the various CMR-specific sessions attended and credit hours earned.  For activities that do not have CMR in the title, candidates are responsible for documenting how they are CMR specific.​ Multiple course certificates will be accepted.
• Activities outside the U.S. for non-U.S. applicants  – Evidence of 15 hours of attendance at or participation in CMR-specific education lectures, via a letter or certificate from the sponsoring organization. 

Candidates should submit course or activity certificates, or official CME transcripts.  Self-attested CME documentation/lists will not be accepted.   

In order to regain eligibility after three failed attempts, candidates must provide proof of additional training.  

• 20 AMA PRA​ Category I CMR specific CME, earned after the third unsuccessful attempt and within the 24 months immediately preceding application submission 

To document completion of CME hours, applicants must submit the certificate of completion or transcript of courses completed. At a minimum, the documentation must include the course or session title(s), the number of hours completed and the date(s) of each course or session. 

Alternate Board Clinical CMR Experience Pathway through 2029

Applicants in this pathway who are not successful can retake the CBCMR examination two additional times through 2029. After 3 attempts through 2029, this eligibility expires. After the close of the 2029 examination administration, no applicants will be allowed to apply or utilize the additional retakes under this closed pathway.  

Starting January 1, 2027, Maintenance of Certification (MOC) replaces the 10-year recertification exam for Cardiovascular Imaging certifications. 

Beginning in 2027, Cardiovascular Imaging (CBCCT, CBCMR and CBNC) certifications will transition to a Maintenance of Certification (MOC) model, replacing the traditional 10-year recertification exam for CBCCT and CBNC Diplomates and formally establishing an ongoing maintenance pathway for CBCMR Diplomates. 

The last 10-year Recertification Examination Administration will be in 2026. 

We are transitioning to an annual Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. As individual certifications expire, diplomates will be required to complete the Annual MOC components outlined below. 

• Attesting to Inteleos (ARDMS/APCA) rules and policies 
• Disclose any credential action, suspension, or censure that affects the physician’s legal ability to practice in the specialty 
• CME Requirements (to be completed over 3-year period) 
• Annual, specialty-specific Knowledge Confirmation through the SKILLS platform due by December 31 of each year 
• Paying renewal fee 
• Update or confirm contact information in your MyAPCA portal 
• Attest to having a valid Medical License in good standing 

The transition is designed to be clear, predictable, and respectful of existing certification cycles. With defined timelines and targeted guidance, Inteleos (APCA) is committed to helping Diplomates understand what’s changing, what’s staying the same, and how to move forward with confidence. 

MOC Knowledge Confirmation through SKILLS Platform Pilots:   

• CT pilot is currently available 
• MR and NC pilots will launch in Q3 2026 

When Does MOC Apply to Me? 

The MOC program launches on January 1, 2027. 

Log in to your Inteleos online portal to participate in the SKILLS quizzes and view your current status. 

• Year 10 CBCCT/CBNC Diplomates Expiring in 2026/2027 
  • 2026 is your final opportunity to take the 10‑year recertification exam before your certification lapses. Passing the 2026 exam will provide a new 10‑year certification period. 
  • After recertifying in 2026, transition to the annual MOC program will begin the last full year before the expiration of your certification. 
  • We encourage you to participate and meet the current reinstatement requirements before the MOC transition takes effect. 
• Years 8 & 9 CBCCT/CBNC Diplomates (Expiring in 2027/2028 and/or 2028/2029) 
  • You may elect to take the 10-year recertification exam in 2026 to obtain another 10-year certification period, before your scheduled expiration date. 
  • You may instead remain certified through your current expiration date and transition to the annual MOC pathway in year 10 of your certification. 
• Lapsed CBCCT/CBNC Diplomates 
  • 2026 is your final opportunity to regain certification by taking the 10‑year recertification exam under the current reinstatement requirements. 
• Years 1-7 Diplomates 
  • Your certification will remain valid through the stated expiration date. APCA will post updates and send emails about the MOC transition before certifications expire. 

• Multi-Credential Holders 
  • You will complete Knowledge Confirmation for each certification annually via the SKILLS platform. 
• Fellowship Program Directors 
  • Your Fellows who take and pass examination in 2026:Receive 10-year certifications. MOC won’t apply until the final full year of certification. 
  • Your Fellows who take and pass examination in 2027+:Upon certification, fellows will complete annual MOC. 10-year recertification exams will no longer be issued. 

• Testamurs 
  • MOC requirements do not apply to you.  
    • Priority: convert to Diplomate status. 
      • Requirements: Full, unrestricted medical licensure; Appropriate board certification; Complete within 6 years of your CBCCT, CBNC and/or CBCMR exam. 
• Initial Candidates 
  • Take and pass examination in 2026 or earlier: earn 10-year certification. 
  • Take and pass examination in 2027 or later:enter MOC directly.  
• CBCMR Diplomates 
  • No recertification exam exists for CBCMR. MOC transition begins the final year of your certification. 

After passing CBCCT, CBCMR, or CBNC as a Testamur, you must complete the conversion process before you have official certification standing. 

You are ready to convert when you have passed your exam as a Testamur and now have the final documentation required by your program. Each Testamur is responsible for contacting the appropriate program office to request conversion to Diplomate.

Use the checklist below to get started– be sure to review the program-specific requirements at each step. 

Update your online account: Log in to your Inteleos online account and create or update your contact information before you submit documentation. Your certificate will be mailed to the address listed in your account. 

Gather documentation: Prepare picture or PDF versions of the required documents before submitting your request. The exact documents vary by exam. 

CBCMR

• A picture or PDF version of your current, unconditional, unrestricted medical license. Please make sure the expiration date is showing. 
• U.S. Board Certification documentation: a letter, certificate, or print-out from the certifying Board verifying passing of the Board examination, showing the effective and expiration dates (if applicable) 
• Non-U.S. Board Certification documentation: equivalent documentation verifying training credentials and/or national registration as a specialist in Cardiology, Nuclear Medicine or Radiology 

Submit your documentation: Submit your documentation to the appropriate program office by email. You can also upload it into your Inteleos online account and notify staff by email.  

CBCMR: CBCMR@inteleos.org

Requests are processed in the order received. Requests with all required documentation received by Thursday of each week will be processed by end of business on Friday of the same week. Certificates will be mailed via USPS. 

Watch for confirmation and certificate delivery: Once all required documentation has been received and approved, Diplomate status can be granted by the appropriate program. After conversion, certified physicians may present themselves to the public as Diplomates of the applicable certification board. Certification remains valid for 10 years following the passed examination date. 

Candidates who applied as Testamurs and were successful on the examination have no official certification standing until they complete the conversion process. Only physicians who are granted Diplomate status are certified and may present themselves to the public as Diplomates of the applicable certification board. 

Conversion must occur within six years of passing the examination. Regardless of when a physician converts status, certification expires 10 years from the date of passing the examination.