CV-BC™ - Cardiac-Vascular Nursing Board Certification
About CV-BC Certification
The Cardiac-Vascular Nursing Board Certification (CV-BC) exam is offered through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). It is a specialized certification for registered nurses committed to advancing their expertise in cardiac-vascular nursing. Earning this credential demonstrates a nurse’s proficiency in the assessment, diagnosis, and management of cardiac-vascular conditions, encompassing critical care, risk reduction, patient education, and evidence-based interventions. This certification highlights a commitment to excellence in nursing care, improving cardiovascular health outcomes, and promoting patient well-being. By achieving this certification, nurses validate their ability to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care in a specialized and essential field of cardiac nursing.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
Exam Description | A comprehensive certification exam for professionals in cardiac-vascular nursing. |
Credentials Earned | Cardiac-Vascular Nursing Board Certification (CV-BC™) |
Eligibility Requirements | Active RN license, 2 years of full-time RN experience, 2,000 hours of cardiac-vascular nursing within the last 3 years, and 30 hours of continuing education in cardiac-vascular nursing within the last 3 years. |
Completion Time | 3 hours to complete exam |
Subjects Covered in the Exam | 4 main categories: Assessment and Diagnosis, Planning and Implementation, Evaluation and Modification, and Patient and Community Education. |
Number of Questions | 150 multiple-choice questions (125 scored, 25 unscored) |
Exam Format | Multiple-choice, computer-based test |
Exam Proctoring | Exam is available exclusively at Prometric testing centers. Live Remote Proctoring (LRP) is not available. |
Recertification Details | Required every 5 years; includes proof of 75 hours of continuing education and completion of at least one professional development activity. |
Pass/Fail Rates | Pass rates vary by year but have averaged approximately 77%. |
Difficulty Level | Hard |
Study Material | BoardCerts CV-BC Exam Prep |
BoardCerts CV-BC Question Bank
BoardCerts provides a comprehensive question bank designed to help you excel on the Cardiac-Vascular Nursing Certification (CV-BC) exam. The practice questions and four predictor exams are meticulously aligned with the CV-BC exam blueprint. Each question is thoroughly reviewed by physicians and CV-BC certified nurses to ensure accuracy and clinical relevance. Our question bank reflects the rigor of the actual exam and includes detailed rationales and explanations for every question, supporting your understanding and preparation for success.
CV-BC Exam Content Outline
The Cardiac-Vascular Nursing Board Certification (CV-BC) exam content is structured into four main domains:
- Assessment and Diagnosis (27 questions): Focuses on evaluating patient needs through interviews, diagnostic tests, and interpreting clinical data.
- Planning and Implementation (44 questions): Covers evidence-based interventions, pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies, and care coordination.
- Evaluation and Modification (23 questions): Emphasizes recognizing and managing adverse and emergent conditions, as well as assessing treatment outcomes.
- Patient and Community Education (31 questions): Addresses patient education, chronic disease management, and health promotion strategies.
For more detailed blueprint outline, please review the CV-BC exam blueprint, which can be found here: Preparation and Resources
Exam Categories: Percentage Distribution
CV-BC Exam Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Cardiac-Vascular Nursing Board Certification (CV-BC) exam, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Hold an active RN license.
- Have two years of full-time nursing experience.
- Accumulate a minimum of 2,000 hours of cardiac-vascular nursing in the past three years.
- Complete 30 hours of continuing education in cardiac-vascular nursing in the last three years.
CV-BC Application Process
Online Application: Visit the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) website to access the online application portal for the Cardiac-Vascular Nursing Board Certification (CV-BC) exam.
Application Submission: Complete the application by providing the necessary personal and professional information. Once submitted, your eligibility will be reviewed by ANCC.
Scheduling the Exam: Upon approval, you’ll receive an Authorization to Test Notice. Use this to schedule your exam at a testing center through Prometric’s testing system. Live remote proctoring is not available for ANCC exams.
Preparation: The BoardCerts CV-BC Question Bank is crafted to simplify your preparation for the Cardiac-Vascular Nursing Board Certification (CV-BC) exam. It closely follows the exam blueprint and mirrors the complexity of the actual test. While additional study materials and references are outlined in the candidate handbook, our question bank consolidates the most essential topics into a single, user-friendly resource. Regular updates ensure the content aligns with the latest exam blueprint and cardiac-vascular nursing standards, providing you with a reliable and comprehensive study tool.
CV-BC Exam Dates and Costs
The Cardiac-Vascular Nursing Board Certification (CV-BC) exam is available year-round through computer-based testing at Prometric testing centers.
For the most up-to-date information on exam scheduling, application deadlines, and fees, visit the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and navigate to the CV-BC webpage.
CV-BC Exam Format
Number of Questions: The CV-BC exam includes 150 multiple-choice questions, of which 125 are scored, and 25 are unscored "pretest" questions. These unscored questions are distributed throughout the exam and do not impact the final score but are used for test development.
Exam Response Options: Multiple-choice with four response options.
Testing Options: Available at Prometric testing center in person only. Live remote proctoring is not available for ANCC exams.
Time Allotted: 3 hours to complete the exam.
Passing Score for CV-BC
Difficulty Level: The CV-BC exam is regarded as a challenging certification exam. It covers a broad range of advanced cardiac-vascular nursing topics. The BoardCerts CV-BC Question Bank is specifically designed to align with the exam blueprint. All questions are reviewed by physicians and CV-BC certified nurses, helping you confidently approach this exam.
Passing Score: A scaled score of 350 on a scale of 0 to 500 is required to pass the CV-BC exam. ANCC examinations are criterion-referenced, meaning candidates are evaluated against a set standard, not against other test takers. The minimum passing score ensures competency to practice safely and is determined by subject matter experts using the Modified Angoff Method. Raw scores (correct answers) are converted to scaled scores to account for variations in test difficulty.
Exam Statistics: Pass rates for the CV-BC exam vary annually but average around 77%. Detailed statistics can be found on the ANCC website.
Score Reporting: Candidates can view their pass/fail result online via the Prometric Report Validation Portal after completing the exam. To access results, candidates must enter their confirmation number and last name. A detailed score report, including diagnostic feedback for those who do not pass, is available through the portal. It includes diagnostic feedback for each content area, categorized as LOW, MEDIUM, or HIGH, to help guide future preparation. Certificates and ANCC pins for passing candidates are mailed approximately four weeks after the exam.
CV-BC Exam Proctoring
The Cardiac-Vascular Nursing Board Certification (CV-BC) exam is administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and conducted through Prometric. Exams must be taken exclusively at Prometric testing centers.
Live Remote Proctoring (LRP) is not an option for ANCC certifications, including the CV-BC exam. All candidates are required to take the exam in person at a Prometric center.
CV-BC Preparation and Resources
At BoardCerts, we meticulously align our practice questions with the CV-BC exam blueprint to ensure relevance and accuracy. Our question bank is developed based on the same authoritative references used to validate the official exam questions. This approach provides a preparation experience that mirrors the content and rigor of the CV-BC exam.
- Topics on Exam: Review the CV-BC exam blueprint to understand the core topics covered. For more details, visit: Preparation and Resources.
- Question Bank: The BoardCerts CV-BC Question Bank is a highly recommended resource. It aligns with the exam blueprint, offering extensive practice questions reviewed by physicians and CV-BC certified nurses. The question bank includes four predictor exams to help you evaluate your readiness and target areas for improvement.
CV-BC Certification Renewal
The Cardiac-Vascular Nursing Certification (CV-BC) is valid for five years. To renew your certification, you must meet specific renewal requirements to demonstrate ongoing competency in cardiac-vascular nursing.
- Continuing Education: Candidates are required to complete 75 hours of continuing education (CE) in their certification specialty during the five-year certification period.
- Renewal Categories: In addition to the CE requirement, candidates must engage in at least one of eight approved professional development activities. These options include earning additional CE, earning academic credits, delivering presentations, completing quality improvement projects, accumulating preceptor or practice hours, participating in professional service, publishing work, or retesting. Additional information on renewal can be found on the ANCC CV-BC webpage.
Reactivating an Expired Certification:
For certifications expired within two years, reactivation requires completing the necessary CE hours, fulfilling one renewal activity, and paying a reactivation fee. If the certification has lapsed for more than two years, you must retake the certification exam and meet all current eligibility requirements.
For detailed and updated renewal guidelines, visit the ANCC Certification Renewal Page.
CV-BC Practice Questions
Practicing sample questions is an essential step in preparing for the CV-BC exam, helping you understand the question format, style, and content areas. The BoardCerts CV-BC Question Bank features high-quality, exam-aligned questions designed to reflect the CV-BC exam blueprint, boosting your confidence for test day.
- Access Sample Questions: Explore sample questions from the BoardCerts Question Bank. These questions mirror the application and complexity levels of the CV-BC exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
