CMC - Cardiac Medicine Certification
About CMC Certification
The Cardiac Medicine Certification (CMC) exam, administered by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), is a subspecialty certification for nurses who provide direct care to acutely or critically ill adult cardiac patients. This credential validates a nurse's expertise in cardiac medicine, encompassing the management of complex cardiovascular conditions, therapeutic interventions, and advanced monitoring techniques. Achieving CMC certification demonstrates a commitment to excellence in cardiac care and adherence to the highest standards of nursing practice.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
Exam Description | A specialized subspecialty certification exam for nurses providing direct care to acutely or critically ill cardiac patients. |
Credentials Earned | Cardiac Medicine Certification (CMC) |
Eligibility Requirements | Active RN or APRN license and a current clinical nursing speciality certification. Must have a minimum of 1,750 hours in acute/critical care within the last 24 months, with 875 hours focused on cardiac care and 875 hours accrued within the last 12 months OR a minimum of 2,000 hours within the last 5 years in direct care with 144 hours accrued in the most recent 12 months preceding application and 1,000 hours out of the 2,000 hour total must be in the care of acutely/critically ill adult cardiac patients. |
Completion Time | 2 hours to complete exam. |
Subjects Covered in the Exam | Topics include cardiovascular conditions, non-cardiovascular conditions, therapeutic interventions, and monitoring and diagnostics. |
Number of Questions | 90 multiple-choice questions (75 scored, 15 trial questions for future exams). |
Exam Format | Multiple-choice, computer-based test. |
Exam Proctoring | Exam can be taken via Live Remote Proctoring (LRP) or at a test center. |
Recertification Details | Required every 3 years; includes completion of continuing education and work hours in cardiac care. |
Pass/Fail Rates | Pass rates vary annually, with an average success rate of 75% to 83%. |
Difficulty Level | Hard |
Study Material | BoardCerts CMC Exam Prep |
BoardCerts CMC Question Bank
BoardCerts offers a comprehensive question bank specifically designed to help you excel in the Cardiac Medicine Certification (CMC) subspeciality exam. With BoardCerts practice questions and multiple predictor exams, our content aligns closely with the CMC exam blueprint. Each question undergoes thorough review by cardiac care specialists and CMC-certified nurses to ensure accuracy, relevance, and adherence to the exam's standards. The question bank emphasizes the application of critical care knowledge through detailed rationales and explanations, helping you build confidence and mastery in cardiac medicine.
CMC Exam Content Outline
The Cardiac Medicine Certification (CMC) exam evaluates a nurse's proficiency in managing acutely or critically ill adult cardiac patients. The exam content is structured into four primary domains:
- Cardiovascular Conditions (23%): assessing knowledge of various cardiac conditions
- Non-Cardiovascular Conditions (23%): covering conditions that can impact cardiac patients
- Therapeutic Interventions (39%): focusing on interventions used in cardiac care
- Monitoring and Diagnostics (16%): evaluating the ability to interpret and utilize various monitoring tools and diagnostic tests pertinent to cardiac care.
For a comprehensive breakdown of the exam content, please refer to the CMC exam blueprint that can be found here: Preparation and Resources
Exam Categories: Percentage Distribution
CMC Exam Eligibility Requirements
Licensure
- Must hold a current, unencumbered RN or APRN license.
Practice Requirements
- Option 1: 1,750 hours as an RN or APRN in direct care of acutely/critically ill adult patients in the past 2 years. At least 875 hours must be in the most recent 1 year. Of the 1,750 hours, at least 875 hours must be in the care of acutely/critically ill adult cardiac patients.
- Option 2: 2,000 hours as an RN or APRN in direct care of acutely/critically ill adult patients in the past 5 years. At least 144 hours must be in the most recent 1 year. Of the 2,000 hours, at least 1,000 hours must be in the care of acutely/critically ill adult cardiac patients.
Certification Requirement
- Must hold a current, nationally accredited clinical nursing specialty certification that involves direct care of adult patients and is accredited by ABSNC (American Board of Specialty Nursing Certification) or NCCA (National Commission for Certifying Agencies). Examples of acceptable certifications include: CCRN, PCCN, ACNPC, ACNPC-AG, CCNS, ACCNS-AG, CMSRN, CEN.
CMC Application Process
Online Application: Begin by visiting the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) website to access the CMC exam application portal.
Application Submission: Complete the application by providing the necessary personal and professional information, including details about your nursing license and clinical practice hours. After submission, AACN will review your eligibility.
Scheduling the Exam: Upon approval, you'll receive instructions to schedule your exam within a 90-day window. You can choose to take the exam at a PSI testing center or opt for live remote proctoring, offering flexibility in how you take the test.
Preparation: To streamline your preparation for the CMC exam, consider utilizing the BoardCerts CMC Question Bank. Our question bank aligns closely with the exam blueprint and reflects the level of difficulty found on the actual test. At BoardCerts, we regularly update our question bank to ensure it stays current with the latest exam blueprint and standards in cardiac medicine nursing.
CMC Exam Dates and Costs
Application Window: The Cardiac Medicine Certification (CMC) exam is available year-round, offering candidates the flexibility to choose a testing date that fits their schedule. After your application is approved, you can schedule your exam at a convenient time and location.
For the most current information on exam fees and scheduling, please visit CMC Certification - AACN
CMC Exam Format
Number of Questions: The CMC exam comprises 90 multiple-choice questions, of which 75 are scored, and 15 are unscored pretest questions being evaluated for future exams.
Exam Response Options: Each question offers four response options (A, B, C, D).
Testing Options: Candidates can take the exam at PSI testing centers or opt for live remote proctoring, providing flexibility in testing locations.
Time Allotted: Candidates have 2 hours to complete the exam.
Passing Score for CMC
Difficulty Level: The Cardiac Medicine Certification (CMC) exam is considered challenging. The exam assesses a comprehensive range of topics related to cardiac care, requiring thorough preparation.
Passing Score: The passing score for the CMC exam is determined using a criterion-referenced standard setting process known as the modified Angoff method. This method involves a panel of subject matter experts who evaluate each exam question to establish the minimum level of knowledge required for a passing candidate. The exact number of correct answers needed to pass may vary slightly between exam versions due to differences in question difficulty.
Exam Statistics: The exam has an annual first-time pass rate averaging ranging from 75% to 83%. Detailed statistics, including pass rates and other relevant data, are available on the AACN Certification Exam Statistics webpage.
Score Reporting: Candidates receive an on-screen pass/fail result immediately after completing the exam. A detailed score report is typically emailed within 24 hours, providing insights into performance across different content areas.
CMC Exam Proctoring
The Cardiac Medicine Certification (CMC) exam is administered by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) in partnership with PSI Services, a professional testing company.
Testing Options:
- In-Person Testing: Candidates can take the exam at one of PSI's numerous testing centers nationwide. These centers provide a controlled environment with on-site proctors to ensure exam integrity.
- Live Remote Proctoring (LRP): Alternatively, candidates have the option to take the exam via Live Remote Proctoring. This method allows you to complete the exam from a location of your choice, such as your home or office, while being monitored in real-time by a professional proctor through your computer's webcam and microphone. This option offers flexibility and convenience, especially for those unable to travel to a testing center.
CMC Preparation and Resources
At BoardCerts, we meticulously align our practice questions with the CMC exam blueprint to ensure relevance and comprehensiveness. Our question bank is developed in coordination with the exam content outline, incorporating the references used to validate the official exam questions. This approach ensures that our resources are grounded in the same authoritative materials that underpin the CMC exam, providing you with an effective and thorough preparation experience.
Study Recommendations:
- Understand Exam Topics: Familiarize yourself with the topics outlined in the CMC exam blueprint, which can be found here: Preparation and Resources
- Utilize Review Courses: Consider enrolling in review course to build a strong foundation in exam content.
- Practice with Question Banks: Engage with comprehensive resources like the BoardCerts CMC Question Bank, which aligns with the exam blueprint and is reviewed by CMC certified nurses. Our question bank provides extensive practice essential for success and includes predictor exams to help gauge your exam readiness.
CMC Certification Renewal
The Cardiac Medicine Certification (CMC) is valid for three years. To maintain this credential, certified nurses must fulfill specific renewal requirements to demonstrate ongoing competence in cardiac care. You can renew your certification by:
Continuing Education Recognition Points (CERPs):
- Clinical Practice Hours: Accumulate a minimum of 432 hours in direct care of acutely/critically ill adult cardiac patients during the three-year certification period, with at least 144 of those hours accrued in the 12 months preceding the renewal date.
- Continuing Education: Complete 25 Category A CERPs focused on clinical judgment topics related to cardiac medicine, as outlined in the CMC Test Plan.
Exam:
- Clinical Practice Hours: Meet the same clinical practice hour requirements as the CERP renewal option.
- Examination: Successfully apply for, take, and pass the CMC exam before the scheduled renewal date.
CMC Practice Questions
Practicing sample questions is a crucial part of CMC exam preparation, helping you become familiar with the exam format, question style, and key content areas. The BoardCerts CMC Question Bank offers high-quality, exam-focused sample questions that align with the CMC exam blueprint, ensuring you are well-prepared and confident on test day.
Access Sample Questions: Through the BoardCerts website, candidates can try sample questions offered for free through BoardCerts. The BoardCerts questions are crafted to reflect the level of application and difficulty found on the CMC exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
