Introduction
All certified perfusionists must recertify annually. Recertification is designed to ensure that Certified Clinical Perfusionists, through continuing education and clinical activity, continue to meet standards and possess current and adequate knowledge in the field. Recertification consists of two (2) components:
- clinical activity [40 activities reported every year]
- professional activity [45 CEUs reported every third year]- described on this page
Professional Activity Requirements ⤴
CEU Categories
One (1) Continuing Education Unit (CEU) or contact hour activity is defined as 50 minutes spent in an organized, structured or unstructured learning experience. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are categorized according to type of educational activity.
Category I
-Category I meetings are those programs and seminars in which a minimum of 75% of the contact hours consists of perfusion or relevant cardiac surgery-related material. Only those events approved by the ABCP will qualify for Category I CEUs. A minimum of fifteen (15) CEUs must be earned in Category I for each reporting cycle.
| Maximum CEUs per activity | Activity | Maximum CEUs in 3-year period | Required Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| No maximum | Attendance at an International, National, Regional, or State Meeting, or Live, Interactive Webcast, or Webinar (independent of an on-site meeting), Approved by the ABCP | None | An official document from the meeting sponsor indicating attendance and the number of CEUs received. |
| 5 | Publication of Perfusion-Related Book Chapter or Article in Professional Journal (Society newsletters and correspondences are not included) | 10 | Complete reference of book or article (authors, title, journal and date/volume of journal). |
| 5 | Presentation or a talk at an International, National, Regional or State Perfusion Meeting | 10 | Copy of program agenda. |
| 2 | Editorial reviewer of Perfusion Journal articles or presentation of a Poster or Other Exhibit at an International, National, Regional or State Perfusion Meeting (presenter must be present for discussion during poster session) | 6 | Copy of professional journal editorial page or program agenda |
| 5 | Participation in The ABCP Knowledge Base Survey. | 5 | Documentation will be kept by the ABCP. No additional documentation is necessary. |
| No maximum | Self-Directed Continuing Education (SDCE)
|
10 | An official document from the sponsor that indicates successful completion of post-test on ABCP-approved material and number of CEUs awarded. |
| No maximum | High-Fidelity Perfusion Simulation (HFPS)
|
None | An official document from the sponsor that describes the type of perfusion activity performed, amount of active simulation time and CCPs involved in the practicum. |
| 3 (per year) | Serving as a Clinical Instructor in an Accredited Perfusion Training Program | 9 | Clinical instructors in accredited programs must provide a letter of confirmation of their status from the Program Director. |
Category II
-Category II activities include international, national, regional, state and local meetings that have not been approved for CEU credit by the ABCP.
| Maximum CEUs per activity | Activity | Maximum CEUs in 3-year period | Required Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | International, National, Regional or State Perfusion Meeting/International, National, Regional or State Medical Meeting not approved by the ABCP | None | |
| 15 | Local Perfusion Meetings | None | |
| 5 | Medical Meeting or Perfusion Meeting NOT EQUALLY ACCESSIBLE to the general CCP community including manufacturer-specific or company-sponsored educational events | 10 | A certificate of attendance issued by a professional organization that states the CEUs awarded or a record of attendance. |
| 5 | All Other Medical Meetings (e.g. Hospital-Based Grand Rounds, Inservices, M&M, Cath Conferences, etc.) | 10 | A certificate of attendance issued by a professional organization that states the CEUs awarded or a record of attendance. |
| 10 | Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) or Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) | 15 | A certificate of attendance issued by a professional organization that states the CEUs awarded or a record of attendance. |
Category III
-Category III credit is acquired on an hour-for-hour basis of the time spent in these non-accredited or non-supervised activities.
| Maximum CEUs per activity | Activity | Maximum CEUs in 3-year period | Required Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (per contact hour) | Serving as a didactic instructor in an Accredited Perfusion Training Program | 6 | Didactic instructors in accredited programs must provide a letter of confirmation of their status from the Program Director; course title and contact hours must be documented by the Program Director |
| 2 (per contact hour) | ABCP Examination Development Workshop or Survey | 6 | Participation in an ABCP Survey or Examination Development Meeting will be kept by the ABCP and will not require additional documentation. |
| 5 (per contact hour) | Participation in an AC-PE Site Visitors Workshop/or as an AC-PE Site Visitor | 10 | |
| 1 (per activity) | Self-Learning Activities
|
15 | All self-study activities require an official record of completion or written summary* of the activity. |
| 1 (per activity) | Presentation at a non-approved meeting | 3 | Copy of program agenda. |
| 1 (per activity) | Membership in a professional perfusion organization at the international, national or state level | 3 | Documentation of membership in a professional perfusion organization is required for the period reported. |
| 1 (per contact hour) | Simulation Activities not occurring at an approved Category 1 meeting | None | Copy of evaluation form |
Documentation
Each perfusionist is responsible for retaining supporting documentation of his/her professional (CEU) activities for auditing purposes; acceptable documentation is included in the tables on this page.
CEU Attendance Verification Policy ⤴
Participants in all Category I CEU approved meetings are required to sign-in once a day to verify attendance. Photo identification is required for participants to obtain registration materials. Meeting sponsors are required to clearly post or display sign-in period(s).
Meeting sponsors are required to provide verification to all attendees in the form of an official document such as a letter or certificate that specifies the total number of CEUs earned by each individual. This letter or certificate serves as official verification of attendance and CEUs earned. Sponsors are required to maintain attendance records for four (4) years.
SDCE Attendance Verification Policy
All Category I Self-Directed Continuing Education (SDCE) approved activities require participation in coursework and a minimum passing score of 80% on a post-test verified by the sponsor. SDCE activity sponsors are required to provide verification to all attendees in the form of an official document such as a letter or certificate that specifies the total number of SDCE CEUs earned by each individual. This letter or certificate serves as official verification of SDCEs earned and must be retained by the perfusionist for auditing purposes. Sponsors are required to maintain completion records for four (4) years. A maximum of ten (10) SDCE CEUs approved by ABCP as Category I may be used for professional activity recertification within the three-year reporting cycle. Additional SDCE CEUs may be reported in Category III.
Online Filing System ⤴
Beginning with the 2013-2014 recertification period, all regular recertification reports must be submitted through the Online Filing System (OFS). The CCP may access his/her OFS account in order to record cases (Clinical Activity Report) and CEUs (Professional Activity Report) throughout the reporting period.
OFS details are available on our FAQs page (items 10-13). The ABCP National Office staff is also available to assist CCPs who have questions or issues regarding the system.
Audits
As a validating procedure, random CEU audits are performed annually on a percentage of Professional Activity Reports. The audited perfusionist is ultimately responsible for providing verification of professional activities and explaining discrepancies. Failure to produce the necessary documentation could result in loss of the CCP credential.
Professional Activity Report
Each CCP must submit a Professional Activity Report through the Online Filing System every third year in order to document 45 CEUs of professional activity.
A Professional Activity Report runs from July 1st of one (1) year through June 30th three (3) years later. The due date for a Professional Activity Report is determined by the ABCP cycle number assigned at the time of certification:
- Cycle one (1)- file in 2023, 2026, 2029 etc.;
- Cycle two (2)- file in 2022, 2025, 2028 etc.; and
- Cycle three (3)- file in 2024, 2027, 2030 etc.
A complete Professional Activity Report and Clinical Activity Report are required for recertification every third year.
Recertification Filing Deadline ⤴
All reporting periods end on June 30th. All reports must be completed and filed through the Online Filing System with the appropriate fee by July 31st 11:59 PM PST.
Late Fees
Certified perfusionists submitting recertification reports as of August 1st through August 31st are assessed an $81.00 Late Filing fee.
Extension of Certification Period
CCPs who are unable to fulfill recertification requirements by the end of a reporting period may request an extension of the filing deadline as follows:
- Requests must be made in writing by the July 31st filing deadline.
- The Extension Professional Activity Report* must be submitted, complete with all activity up to June 30th and the appropriate Filing fee.
- If approved, the deadline will be extended to December 31st at which time the application must be completed and an $81.00 Late Filing fee paid.
An extension will not be granted to an individual more than once during a three-year period or to an individual on conditional certification.
Recertification Notification
Upon receipt of complete recertification reports and appropriate fee(s), a new time-limited certificate will be issued to each CCP every third year.
For the ensuing years, dated stickers will be issued and must be attached to the CCP's current certificate to extend the certificate's validity.
Certificates and date stickers issued by the ABCP are the sole property of the ABCP and may be canceled at its discretion. By acceptance of the certificate, the holder agrees to return the certificate to the ABCP upon demand. Presentation and display of the certificate is permitted only when it is current and valid. Presentation, display or any other use of an outdated, invalid certificate is expressly prohibited.
Inactive Status
CCP Inactive Status information and a current CCP Inactive Status listing is available on the ABCP website.
CCP Emeritus
CCP Emeritus information and a current CCP Emeritus listing is available on the ABCP website.
Change of Address
Certified Clinical Perfusionists are responsible for informing the National Office of the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion of their current address. The CCP should update the Online Filing System with the address change and notifying the National Office.
Conditional Certification and Extended Leave
Conditional Certification ⤴
A CCP who fails to submit the completed recertification report with the appropriate fee by the July 31st deadline and does not formally request an extension will be placed on conditional certification.
A perfusionist on conditional certification must apply to the ABCP for reinstatement before the next July 31st filing deadline. The petition statement must include:
- an explanation in writing of the reasons for not completing the recertification requirements (clinical activity) for the previous year;
- a completed recertification report* for the current reporting year comprised of 40 cases with the first 25 consisting of cardiopulmonary bypasses (CPBs) that are supervised and verified by a current CCP; and
- payment of all normal Filing fees, an $81.00 Late Filing fee and an $81.00 Reinstatement fee.
Extended Leave
If unable to successfully complete the reinstatement requirements for conditional certification, the perfusionist must request "extended leave" status in writing prior to the July 31st deadline of the conditional certification year.
Extended leave gives the perfusionist (placed on conditional certification for clinical inactivity) an additional year after the conditional certification year to complete the following clinical requirements:
- a recertification report* for the current reporting year comprised of 40 cases with the first 25 consisting of cardiopulmonary bypasses (CPBs) which are supervised and verified by a current CCP; and
- payment of all normal Filing fees, an $81.00 Late Filing fee and an $81.00 Reinstatement fee.
If unable to satisfy the above requirements, reinstatement will be granted upon successful completion of the CAPE prior to the December 31st deadline of the "extended leave" year.
If none of the above requirements are completed by December 31st of the extended leave year, all steps listed below in the "Re-entry into the Certification Process" section must be completed.
Professional Activity
Individuals on clinical activity conditional certification and extended leave are required to complete the Professional Activity Report* during the conditional certification period.
Loss of Certification ⤴
A CCP will lose certification if he/she:
- is on conditional certification or extended leave and does not successfully meet the requirements for reinstatement; or
- is found guilty of unethical conduct as described in the Ethical Standards of the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion; or
- falsifies any portion of a recertification report.
The American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion shall be the sole judge of whether or not the information before it is sufficient to require or permit revocation of any certificate issued by the ABCP, and the decision of the ABCP thereon shall be final. CCPs who lose or who are in danger of losing certification may make a formal written appeal to the ABCP.
Re-entry into the Certification Process
A perfusionist may petition the ABCP for re-entry into the certification process and then complete the following steps:
- apply for, take and pass the appropriate examination(s)-
- If uncertified for less than three (3) years, the applicant must take the Clinical Applications in Perfusion Examination only. No perfusionist may utilize this option in two (2) consecutive recertification cycles.
- If uncertified for three (3) years or more, the applicant must-
- take both the Perfusion Basic Science Examination and the Clinical Applications in Perfusion Examination;
- submit a list of 40 clinical activities documented as Primary Clinical Perfusion Activities (PCPA) performed since the date of his/her request; and
- submit a letter of clinical competency from his/her supervisor.
- remit the appropriate Examination fee(s); and
- remit a $250.00 Reinstatement fee.
The ABCP must approve perfusionists who have lost certification because of unethical conduct for re-entry.