Eligibility for U.S. Applicants

2026 CERTIFICATION ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR CANDIDATES TRAINED IN THE UNITED STATES

All criteria must be met to receive a U.S. certificate

Requirement 1: Training/Experience in the provision of Nuclear Cardiology Services (Level 2 Nuclear Cardiology training, a minimum of 700 hours including 80 hours of Classroom and Laboratory Training (CLT) must be completed prior to submission of application)

Formal Training Pathway

  1. Candidates must document Level 2 training in Nuclear Cardiology in accordance with the ACC Core Cardiovascular Training Statement 4 Task Force 6: Training in Nuclear Cardiology , Level 2 (the COCATS Guidelines revised 2015) by providing a 2021 version of the preceptor attestation letter. Training in Nuclear Cardiology must occur at a center that has an ACGME or AOA accredited training program in Cardiovascular Disease, Nuclear Medicine, or Radiology
  2. A preceptor attestation letter must verify the candidate’s training pathway and document their training in nuclear cardiology. The preceptor must select the appropriate eligibility pathway based on the applicant’s status:
    • Authorized User status
    OR
    • 80 hours of Classroom and Laboratory Training (CLT) in radiation safety that meets the NRC topic requirements.
    Completed either:

    • Internally within the fellowship program
      OR
    • Externally through an NRC-approved course

Documentation may be a copy of the facility RAM license listing the applicant’s name or a copy of a certificate of completion of an 80-hour CLT course that meets NRC topic requirements.

Classroom and Laboratory Training (CLT) Requirements:
• CLT hours must have been taken no more than seven (7) years prior to the examination date. CLT must be repeated if seven (7) or more years have elapsed since initial training and the applicant is not an Authorized User.
• Direct, hands-on laboratory experience must be part of the applicant’s Classroom and Laboratory Training.

Preceptors need to submit the preceptor attestation letter through the preceptor tab via their MYAPCA portal.

Important Notice: All preceptors must have a Program Verification on file with CBNC before a preceptor attestation letter can be accepted. Click here to lookup y our Preceptor in our database. If your Preceptor is not listed, check with your preceptor prior to sending your documents as your application cannot be approved without this document on file. Preceptor Information and Guidance

PRECEPTOR PORTAL: Preceptors who are currently in our records, in order to submit the online program verification document, please login to your MyAPCA portal, select the MY RESOURCES tab, and click on the MY CBNC Preceptor Portal Link. You will then be able to complete and submit the form online. Preceptors applying for the first time must email our office at cbnc@inteleos.org to request access to this feature in their MYAPCA portal so they can submit their Program Verification Letter. Once approved, they will then be able to submit the Preceptor Attestation Letter.

A preceptor for this pathway must be one of the following:

  • Program Director of an accredited residency or fellowship in Cardiovascular Disease, Nuclear Medicine, or Radiology
  • Director of Nuclear Cardiology laboratory at an institution with an accredited residency or fellowship in Cardiovascular Disease, Nuclear Medicine, or Radiology.
  • If the preceptor is not an Authorized User, an Authorized User at the training institution must co-sign the letter to verify that the candidate has had appropriate training in radiation safety.
  • Must not be a current applicant or candidate for initial CBNC certification and must not be simultaneously applying for initial CBNC certification.

3. Recentness of Training: If your Nuclear Cardiology training was completed seven (7) or more years prior to the date of the CBNC examination for which you are applying, you must also provide:

  • documentation of at least 300 cases completed within 24 months of application submission.
  • 30 CME Category I hours completed within 36 months of application submission. Of the total, a minimum of 15 hours must be nuclear cardiology-specific and the remaining 15 hours may be in the applicant’s other area(s) of specialty (e.g., general cardiology, echo, nuclear medicine, etc). See Guidance on CME Credit
  • Authorized User status or a certificate of completion of an 80 hour CLT course taken no more than 7 years prior to the 2025 exam.

Training and experience requirements for licensure by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) or Agreement States vary from state to state; therefore, candidates seeking licensure should check with their regional NRC office or the office responsible for licensure in the Agreement State in which they practice. Information is also available on the NRC website: https://scp.nrc.gov/asdirectory.html

Requirement 2: Medical Licensure

To be certified, applicants must hold a current, unrestricted license to practice medicine in the U.S. and must provide a copy of the current license.

  • Individuals with limited or training medical licenses may apply to sit for the examination. Certification will only be granted, however, when all requirements are met within 6 years of the examination, including holding a current unrestricted medical license. Such candidates who pass the examination will be listed as “testamurs” until all requirements for full licensure and certification are fulfilled. Individuals with a training medical license must provide a copy of their training medical license in addition to a letter on institutional letterhead from their Program Director stating the duration of training in the program as well as confirming that the individual is a Fellow/Resident in good standing.

Requirement 3: Board Certification

To become certified in Nuclear Cardiology, applicants must be physicians who hold current certification in one of the following: Cardiology, any of the ABIM Cardiology subspecialties, Nuclear Medicine or Radiology by a board which holds membership in the American Board of Medical Specialties or the Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists of the American Osteopathic Association.

All applicants must provide a copy of the current board certification.

  • Individuals enrolled in an ACGME or AOA fellowship or residency program in Cardiology, Nuclear Medicine, or Radiology may apply to sit for the examination. Certification will only be granted, however, when all requirements are met within 6 years of the examination, including board certification in Cardiology, Nuclear Medicine, or Radiology. Such candidates who pass the examination will be listed as “testamurs” until all requirements for certification are fulfilled.

Special Note Regarding Testamur Status: As noted above, individuals who pass the CBNC exam under Testamur status have 6 years from passing the CBNC to document full licensure and successful certification in Cardiology, Nuclear Medicine or Radiology in order to have their Testamur status changed to Diplomate.

This certification will expire 10 years from the date of passing the CBNC examination.

Additional Notes:

  • CBNC is not accepting NEW applicants whose Level 2 equivalent was completed by experience.
  • If the preceptor is not an Authorized User, an Authorized User at the training institution must co-sign the letter to verify that the candidate has had appropriate training in radiation safety.
  • When applying to the NRC using CBNC as a pathway for Authorized User status, the applicant must submit the original CBNC certification certificate. NRC currently does not accept the CBNC recertification certificates.
  • Preceptors need to submit the preceptor attestation letter through the preceptor tab via their MyAPCA portal. Other supporting documentation must be uploaded during the application submission process.