CV-BC Certification: Overview and FAQ

With heart disease remaining the leading cause of death in the U.S., skilled care is crucial in addressing its impact. The Cardiac Vascular Nursing Certification (CV-BC) is a professional credential that acknowledges a nurse’s advanced skills and expertise in delivering care to patients with cardiac (heart) and vascular (blood vessel) conditions.

Ready to add these prestigious letters to your badge? This article will walk you through everything you need to know to get certified, including the eligibility requirements, application process, and study resources.

CV-BC Certification: Snapshot

• Eligibility: You need an active RN license, 2 years of full-time experience, 2,000 hours of clinical practice, and 30 continuing education units in cardiac-vascular nursing within the past 3 years.
• Preparation: Study the test content outline, take practice tests, review the resources mentioned in the list of references, read the role delineation study, and consider investing in the reference text or review course.
• Application process: Complete the online application form, provide proof of your education, licensure, and experience, and pay the fee.
• Exam: Your exam will have 150 questions, and you’ll have 3 hours to answer them.
• Cost: The exam fee is $395.
• Renewal: You’ll need to renew every 5 years.

What Is CV-BC Certification?

CV-BC stands for Cardiac Vascular Nursing Certification. It’s a specialized credential given to registered nurses (RNs) who have demonstrated their expertise in cardiovascular nursing by meeting high professional standards and passing a specialized exam. It’s a reliable, objective measure of a nurse’s advanced knowledge and skill.

This credential is issued by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), which is part of the American Nurses Association (ANA). These organizations are dedicated to promoting nursing excellence and improving care outcomes.

Wondering what’s on the certification exam? It covers four broad content domains, each with specific topics you’ll need to focus on:

• Assessment and diagnosis, including topics like nursing diagnoses and cardiac-vascular assessment techniques, such as stroke scale.
• Planning and implementation, with a focus on topics like pharmacologic therapies and surgeries, such as heart transplants.
• Evaluation and modification, covering topics like drug interactions and treatment of urgent conditions, such as hypertensive crisis.
• Patient and community education,including topics like chronic disease management and community resources.

Certified nurses can work in a variety of settings where specialized care for cardiovascular patients is required. Some of the common workplaces include:

• Cardiovascular intensive care units (CVICUs)
• Intensive care units (ICUs)
• Cath labs
• Transplant surgery clinics
• Specialized surgical centers
• Telemetry units

CV-BC Certification Requirements

The process of earning this certification requires completing several steps. Let’s explore the key milestones that will guide your journey.

1. Meet Certification Eligibility Requirements

Before sitting for the exam, you need to ensure you meet the eligibility requirements. Here’s a checklist of what you need to do prior to applying:

• Hold a current RN license in the U.S. or its territories or the recognized equivalent in another country.
• Have 2 years of full-time experience as an RN.
• Complete at least 2,000 hours of clinical practice in cardiac-vascular settings within the past 3 years.
• Complete 30 specialty-specific continuing education hours in the past 3 years.

2. Prepare for the Exam

Once you’ve met the eligibility criteria, you can start preparing for the exam. Here are some study materials suggested by the ANCC to help you succeed:

• CV-BC study guide with content outline
• Test reference list
• CV-BC practice questions
• Readiness test
• Role delineation study
• Review course
• ANCC reference text
• Scope and standards of practice
• General testing and renewal handbook
• ANCC study tips
• ANCC exam preparation package

Looking at all the material you need to study can feel overwhelming. It’s helpful to create a study plan that breaks down everything you need to study into daily tasks. This is known as setting SMART goals, which can help you tackle big tasks through a series of small, consistent actions.

3. Apply for the Exam

You can apply for your CV-BC certification online. Start by creating an ANCC account, picking your certification type, and submitting the application. You’ll need to provide details like your address and legal name and upload proof of your licensure, education, and experience. Once your application is reviewed and approved, you’ll receive a confirmation email with steps on how to schedule your exam.

4. Pay the Exam Fee

Before you can submit your application, you’ll need to pay the exam fee of $395. You may qualify for a discount if you’re a member of one of the following organizations:

• American Nurses Association (ANA)
• Society for Vascular Nursing (SVN)
• Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association (PCNA)

5. Pass the Certification Exam

Wondering what the exam experience is like? You’ll take it at one of the Prometric test centers, and here’s a preview of what you can expect:

• You’ll answer 150 questions (125 scored and 25 unscored).
• You’ll have 3 hours to answer the test questions.
• You’ll need to score at least 350 to pass, with a maximum score of 500.

6. Maintain the Certification

To maintain your credential, you’ll need to renew it every five years. This involves earning 75 continuing education hours from an approved provider and completing at least one of the following requirements:

• Earn 75 hours of specialty-specific continuing education hours in addition to the 75 mandatory ones.
• Complete 5 semester credits or 6 quarter credits in academic courses in your specialty.
• Create 1 or more presentations totaling at least 5 clock hours.
• Complete a project that shows your problem-solving skills.
• Publish articles in a journal or book chapter, or author content.
• Complete a research project or a doctoral dissertation or thesis.
• Work as a preceptor for nursing students for at least 120 hours.
• Complete 2 or more consecutive years of volunteer service.
• Gain a minimum of 1,000 practice hours in your specialty.
• Take and pass the test.

After uploading all of the required documents to your online account, you’ll need to submit a $350 renewal fee.

Frequently Asked Questions: CV-BC Certification

How hard is the exam?

The exam has a 77% pass rate, which means most nurses who put in the effort to study end up earning this certification. Solid preparation is key to joining the ranks of those who succeed.

CVRN vs. CV-BC: What’s the difference?

The difference between these credentials lies in their certifying bodies. CV-BC is issued by ANCC, while the Cardiovascular Registered Nurse (CVRN) is issued by the American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine (ABCM). Both organizations are respected and offer high-quality credentialing programs that can significantly advance your career.

What is the typical cardiovascular nurse’s salary?

The typical cardiovascular nurse salary in the U.S. is around $73,000 a year. This number can vary greatly based on factors like your education, experience, and facility type.

Location matters when it comes to nursing salaries. Here are five states with high pay for RNs:

• Maryland
• Oregon
• New Jersey
• California
• Washington

What are my options if I fail the exam?

If you don’t pass the ANCC certification exam, you can apply to retest after 60 days. You can retake the certification exam up to four times in 12 months.

How do I verify my certification?

Visit the ANCC credential verification portal and fill out the form with all the necessary details, including your name and certification type. The first verification in each renewal cycle is free, but each additional verification costs $40.

Related Certifications

If you’re looking to expand your expertise, there are several certifications that can complement your skills. Here’s a list of related certifications that might be of interest:

• Cardiac Medicine Subspecialty Certification (CMC)
• Certified Cardiovascular Registered Nurse (CVRN)
• Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN)
• Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN)
• Certified Registered Nurse Infusion (CRNI)
• Certified Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurse (CPHON)
• Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS)
• Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (CAPA)

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