Recognizing expertise in the area of adult cardiac anesthesiology

If you meet the criteria below, you are eligible for ACA certification:

• Have completed an ACGME-accredited CTA Fellowship
• Hold current NBE Advanced PTE Certification OR have completed a fellowship in the last 24 months and hold testamur status for the NBE Advanced PTE Exam

*Fellows graduating from a fellowship program in the current year who take the ADVANCED PTE Exam and achieve testamur status will be eligible for ACA certification

The temporary pathways described below for ACA certification will be available for six years, from 2023 to 2028.

If you meet the criteria listed below, you are eligible for ACA certification:

• Have completed at least 12 months in a non-ACGME-accredited CTA fellowship
• Hold current NBE Advanced PTE Certification

If you meet the criteria listed below, you are eligible for ACA certification:

• Have completed at least 0-11 months of adult cardiac fellowship training
• Hold current NBE Advanced PTE Certification OR hold current NBE testamur status for successful completion of the Advanced PTE

AND

• Either has provided, as an attending physician, anesthesia for a minimum of 50 patients undergoing cardiac procedures per year for two of the past three years OR meet the requirements outlined in the note below

If NBE testamur status for successful completion of the advanced PTE only, then diplomates should either

1. Have provided as an attending physician, anesthesia for a minimum of 50 patients undergoing cardiac procedures per year for two of the past three years.
2. OR have spent the following amount of clinical time dedicated to the anesthetic management of patients undergoing cardiac procedures:
   • At least seven hours per week for the past six years
   • At least 10 hours per week for the past four years
   • At least 13 hours per week for the past three years
   • At least 20 hours per week for the past two years

**For either option, a minimum of 20 cases per year must have required cardiopulmonary bypass or other mechanical circulatory support

ABA diplomates not meeting the above criteria can request the ABA’s Credentialing and Continuing Certification Committee to review their situation and determine whether they might still be eligible to take the certification exam in adult cardiac anesthesiology.

All requests for special consideration should include as much documentation as possible, along with an explanation of why the applicant believes the published criteria should be waived.