The American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion awards the Certified Clinical Perfusionist credential after you pass both the Perfusion Basic Science Examination (approximately 220 multiple-choice items) and the Clinical Applications in Perfusion Examination (200–230 scenario-linked questions), each four hours long. This guide covers eligibility case requirements, the fall 2026 block-format change, scaled scoring with a 400 cut score, application deadlines, and how to prepare differently for each exam.
What the CCP credential assesses
The American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion (ABCP) awards the Certified Clinical Perfusionist (CCP) credential after candidates pass both parts of its certification examination. Part I, the Perfusion Basic Science Examination (PBSE), is an approximately 220-item multiple-choice test covering perfusion basic sciences and extracorporeal support. Part II, the Clinical Applications in Perfusion Examination (CAPE), uses a multiple-choice format built around clinical scenarios; the question count ranges from 200 to 230 depending on the scenarios used.
Both exams are administered at Pearson VUE test centers in the United States, U.S. Territories and Canada. Each exam lasts four hours.
Starting with the Fall 2026 window, both exams use block format: questions are divided into sections, and once you submit a block you cannot return to change answers. The time allotted and the number of questions remain unchanged. ABCP announced that its practice exams would be adjusted to mirror this format after the Spring 2026 window; check the current practice product before buying.
You may sit for both PBSE and CAPE within the same window if you meet all eligibility criteria for each.
| Feature | PBSE (Part I) | CAPE (Part II) |
|---|---|---|
| Question count | ~220 items | 200–230 items (varies by scenarios) |
| Duration | 4 hours | 4 hours |
| Format | Standalone multiple-choice | Scenario-linked multiple-choice |
| Emphasis | Understanding processes | Applying knowledge in practice |
| Eligibility gate | Qualifying training, case record and competency documents; see PBSE requirements below | 40 independent post-graduation cases |
Official sources: ABCP 2026 Examination Guidebook, Version 1.5 — American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion, Milwaukee, WI; ABCP Booklet of Information 2026, Version 1.9 — ABCP National Office, Milwaukee, WI
PBSE eligibility: case counts and documentation
You must have graduated from, or be currently enrolled in, an accredited cardiovascular perfusion education program with graduation anticipated before the exam date. Accreditation must be from AC-PE (U.S.) or EQual (Canada). The following documents must be on file in the ABCP National Office before you can register with Pearson VUE.
For your PBSE case record, use the current ABCP definitions in Table A. The guidebook’s specific PCPA note requires 5 ECMO or VAD activities and 70 or more primary CPB activities. It separately requires at least 10 pediatric CPB cases observed or performed; performed pediatric cases may count toward the primary case requirement, while observations do not.
All qualifying cases must have been performed in the United States, U.S. Territories or Canada. Check the current case-record form before logging experience; observing a case and performing a qualifying activity are different categories.
An ABCP Certified Clinical Perfusionist (CCP) instructor must be physically present during CPB cases. Effective November 1, 2025, all case records must list the CCP instructor's full name and CCP number; entries with initials or incomplete names will be returned for revision. ECMO and VAD cases must report the name and CCP number of the CCP overseeing the case. Non-CCP names are not accepted as clinical instructors on any submitted cases.
Candidates retaking the exam do not need to resubmit their Case Record, official transcript, or Clinical Competency Statement; those items remain on file from the previous application.
Official sources: ABCP 2026 Examination Guidebook, Version 1.5 — American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion, Milwaukee, WI; ABCP Booklet of Information 2026, Version 1.9 — ABCP National Office, Milwaukee, WI
CAPE eligibility: 40 independent post-graduation cases
CAPE eligibility builds on the PBSE requirements. You must document 40 independent clinical perfusions performed after graduation from your accredited program, using the Primary Clinical Perfusion Activities (PCPA) definitions in Table A.
If your CAPE case record is incomplete when you apply, the CAPE Promissory option commits you to submit the 40 qualifying independent post-graduation perfusions by the documentation deadline. For Fall 2026, that deadline is October 5 at 5:00 pm CT.
Candidates retaking CAPE do not need to resubmit the Case Record; it remains on file from the previous application.
Official sources: ABCP 2026 Examination Guidebook, Version 1.5 — American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion, Milwaukee, WI; ABCP Booklet of Information 2026, Version 1.9 — ABCP National Office, Milwaukee, WI
Scheduling and test-day preparation
Both exams are delivered at Pearson VUE testing centers in the United States, U.S. Territories, and Canada. Examination windows fall in April and October; the exact dates are posted on the ABCP website and emailed to each examinee.
After your application is complete, the ABCP National Office authorizes your examination with Pearson VUE. You will receive an Authorization-to-Test email with your candidate ID and scheduling instructions. Schedule your appointment as soon as you receive that email; the ABCP notes that appointment availability at your preferred location is not guaranteed. You may cancel or reschedule up to 24 hours before your appointment at no cost.
You must present one primary, unexpired, government-issued photo ID (original, not a photocopy or digital ID) to the test center. The name on the ID must match the name you used to register.
Candidates requiring ADA accommodations must provide 65 days' notice with appropriate documentation. If you cannot find an appointment within 100 miles of your address on file, contact Pearson VUE first to check for a closer site. If none is available, contact ABCP at info@abcp.org to request an exemption for an alternative testing center. ABCP approves an exemption only after confirming that no suitable location is available.
Official sources: ABCP 2026 Examination Guidebook, Version 1.5 — American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion, Milwaukee, WI
The 11 knowledge sections
The guidebook lists 11 knowledge sections used by both exams. The reviewed sources do not establish numerical weights for those sections.
The guidebook states that PBSE questions emphasize understanding processes as they apply to clinical perfusion, while CAPE questions measure application of knowledge in clinical practice. Questions from all 11 sections may appear on either exam.
For a full study bibliography organized by category, see the guidebook's suggested study list, which recommends textbooks in anatomy, anesthesia, cardiopulmonary bypass, ECMO, hemostasis, pediatrics, pharmacology, physiology, and surgical techniques, along with relevant journals.
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Pharmacology
- Pathology
- Laboratory Analysis
- Quality Assurance
- Devices & Equipment
- Clinical Management
- Special Patient Groups
- Special Procedures/Special Techniques
- Catastrophic Events & Device Failure
- Monitoring
Official sources: ABCP 2026 Examination Guidebook, Version 1.5 — American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion, Milwaukee, WI; ABCP Booklet of Information 2026, Version 1.9 — ABCP National Office, Milwaukee, WI
Scoring: scaled range, cut score, and results timeline
The ABCP uses scaled scoring for both exams, with a range of 120 to 480 and a cut score of 400. This is not a percentage and not a curve; the pass/fail decision compares your raw number of correct answers to a criterion-referenced passing standard that remains constant across exam forms.
Immediately after completing the exam, you will receive a preliminary pass/fail print-out at the Pearson VUE testing center. This result is not used for credentialing. The National Office provides final official scores on an individual basis within four to six weeks of the exam.
Candidates who pass receive scaled scores between 400 and 480; those who do not pass receive scores between 120 and 399. The scaled system allows direct comparison of scores from one exam form to another.
Official sources: ABCP 2026 Examination Guidebook, Version 1.5 — American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion, Milwaukee, WI; Examination Scoring | ABCP — abcp.org/certification/examination-scoring
Application deadlines, fees, and a pre-application checklist
For Fall 2026, a $100 late filing fee applies after September 21, and all application files must be complete by October 5.
Check the current ABCP calendar before choosing a window. The 2026 booklet contains a spring-opening date that is inconsistent with its spring deadlines, so use the separately posted calendar to confirm the next spring application dates.
Check the current application for the exam fee. The guidebook states that no applications are accepted within two weeks of the window and no refunds are given.
Retaking candidates do not need to resubmit documents that remain on file from a previous application.
- PBSE: application and fee, transcript, clinical competency statement, and a qualifying case record with instructor names and CCP numbers.
- CAPE: completed CAPE application, application fee, CAPE Case Record (40 independent PCPAs) or CAPE Promissory agreement
- Late fee of $100 if submitted after deadline; no refunds
- All documentation must be received before you can register with Pearson VUE
Official sources: ABCP 2026 Examination Guidebook, Version 1.5 — American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion, Milwaukee, WI; ABCP Booklet of Information 2026, Version 1.9 — ABCP National Office, Milwaukee, WI
How to prepare for each exam
The two exams reward different preparation approaches. The guidebook makes this distinction explicit: PBSE tests understanding of basic-science processes applied to clinical perfusion, while CAPE tests application of knowledge within clinical scenarios.
For PBSE, build foundational knowledge in each of the 11 knowledge-base sections. Use the guidebook's suggested study list as your starting point; it organizes recommended textbooks by category and includes relevant journals. Review the guidebook's sample PBSE items (with answer key) to see the question style: single-best-answer questions that test recall of basic-science facts applied to perfusion contexts.
For CAPE, practice reading multi-part clinical scenarios and answering linked questions. The guidebook states that the correct answer to each CAPE question must be determinable from information provided within the scenario, so practice extracting relevant data from presented patient presentations and applying perfusion principles to those specific circumstances. The guidebook includes sample CAPE scenarios with answer keys to familiarize you with the format.
ABCP offers smaller official practice exams with timed sections, an online calculator, a whiteboard and a performance report. Its guidebook announced a plan to add block formatting after the Spring 2026 window. Check the current product description for its delivery format. The guidebook states that the practice exams do not contain questions from the current test bank.
Plan your preparation timeline around the application deadlines: if you need to gather case records, instructor signatures, or CAPE Promissory documentation, start well before the file-completion dates.
Official sources: ABCP 2026 Examination Guidebook, Version 1.5 — American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion, Milwaukee, WI
Results, retakes, and first steps after certification
There is no limit to how many times you may take either exam. However, you may only take an exam once per exam window. Some states impose their own limits on retake attempts for licensure purposes; check your state's requirements before reapplying.
If you pass both PBSE and CAPE, the ABCP grants the CCP credential. Your first Clinical Activity Report (CAR) is due July 31 at 11:59 pm Pacific Standard Time in the year following the year in which you were certified. New CCPs certified in the fall must submit 20 cases on the CAR for their first reporting cycle only; if fewer than 20 primary activities are available, up to 8 may be documented as secondary activities under specific conditions.
If you need to appeal exam content you believe was inaccurate, send your appeal (including the specific content or questions of concern and the remedy desired) to info@abcp.org within 14 days of the test.
The ABCP plans pilot additional exam windows in January and July 2027, but these are restricted to candidates who are retesting (failed one or both exams from the prior window) or holdover CAPE applicants. No new applications are processed for these pilot windows.
Official sources: ABCP 2026 Examination Guidebook, Version 1.5 — American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion, Milwaukee, WI; ABCP Booklet of Information 2026, Version 1.9 — ABCP National Office, Milwaukee, WI
Official sources
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