Basic PTE®
Next Basic PTE EXAM will be administered in the fall of 2014. CLICK HERE for more information.
Postponement of the 2013 Basic PTEeXAM
The National Board of Echocardiography and the ASA established a strategic partnership to mutually promote an examination and certification process in Basic Perioperative Transesophageal Echocardiography. Initial projections included an estimate of 300 examinees per year. However since administration of the first annual Basic PTEeXAM in 2010, only an average of 141 examinees per year have taken the exam, with an average pass rate of 87% over the past three years. While the NBE and ASA actively research reasons for this discrepancy in the number of examinees, and discuss possible future developments for this important collaboration, both organizations have agreed that it would be of greatest mutual interest to administer the next Basic PTEeXAM in the fall of 2014 rather than 2013.
Examination of Special Competence in Basic Perioperative Transesophageal Echocardiography (Basic PTEeXAM®)
Scope of Practice
The application of a basic perioperative TEE examination is limited to non-diagnostic monitoring within the customary practice of anesthesiology. Because the goal of and training in basic PTE® is focused on intraoperative monitoring rather than specific diagnosis, except in emergent situations, diagnoses requiring intraoperative cardiac surgical intervention or post-operative medical/surgical management must be confirmed by an individual with advanced skills in TEE or by an independent diagnostic technique.
EXAM APPLICATION
The following documentation is required with submission of application:
- Completed and signed 2-page application
- A copy of your current license to practice medicine with an expiration date or original, notarized letter from program director stating you are currently enrolled in a ACGME accredited training program and in good standing
Non-US Licensed Physicians applying for the Basic PTEeXAM® must supply the following:
If your medical license does not have an expiration date, you are required to supply ONE of the following:
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- An original letter from the Medical Council stating your license is permanent
- An original certificate of good standing; dated no more than 12 months prior to date application received
- All documentation must be supplied in English. If original documentation is not in English, a certified translation must be attached to each document.
- Application Fee
(The NBE® accepts check, money order, VISA or MasterCard) - Sign bottom right hand side of application
Mail, UPS, or FedEx the appropriate completed application, copy of medical license or letter from program director, and payment to:
National Board of Echocardiography, Inc.®
1500 Sunday Drive, Suite 102
Raleigh, NC 27607
Faxed or scanned applications will not be accepted.
The NBE® recommends that if mail is used you obtain proof of delivery.
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants for the Basic PTEeXAM® must hold a valid license to practice medicine at the time of application or must currently be in an ACGME accredited training program and in good standing. An original, notarized letter must be submitted from the program director verifying this information. The letter must also be on appropriate letterhead and include the ACGME program number.
Non-US Licensed Physicians applying for the Basic PTEeXAM® must supply the following:
If your medical license does not have an expiration date, you are required to supply ONE of the following:
- An original letter from the Medical Council stating your license is permanent
- An original certificate of good standing; dated no more than 12 months prior to date application received
All documentation must be supplied in English. If original documentation is not in English, a certified translation must be attached to each document.
NOTE: Only a copy of an applicant's current license to practice medicine or letter of good standing, completed application, and the application fee is required to sit for the Basic PTEeXAM®.
Computer-Based Examination Policies and Procedures
For Computer-Based Examination Procedure and Policies please Click Here. To familiarize yourself with the NBE’s new computerized testing format, please click here to download a brief tutorial.
CERTIFICATION APPLICATION
Physicians who passed the Advanced PTEeXAM in 1996-2011, use the conversion application in the Basic PTE Certification Application to apply for board certification.
For Physicians who participated in the 2011 Basic PTEeXAM®, please refer to the 2011 Basic PTEeXAM® Certification Application for certification requirements and application instructions.
The certification application and supporting documents are not required to register for the examination and can be submitted at any time.