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Certification

Basic PTEeXAM®Basic Perioperative Transesophageal Echocardiography

For licensed physicians performing basic perioperative TEE examinations, for non-diagnostic purposes.  

Scope of Work

The application of a basic perioperative TEE examination is limited to non-diagnostic use 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 postoperative medical/surgical management must be confirmed by an individual with advanced skills in TEE or by an independent diagnostic technique.

  1. Ability to provide a current medical license with expiration date or letter of good standing.
  2. Valid Advanced PTEeXAM® OR Basic PTEeXAM®  Testamur status during the certification application period
  3. Is board certified in Anesthesiology.

Testamurs seeking NBE Certification will apply online by uploading the required documentation. Once an application is complete, the Certification Committee will meet to review applications twice a year, and applicants will be notified in writing of the decision. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed by the Certification Committee until all requirements are met.

Certification applicants should select one of the applicable pathways listed below. For more detailed information please refer to the Basic PTEeXAM® Certification Handbook.

 

Supervised Training within Residency

Required Documentation

Current Medical License including expiration date

Medical Board Certificate

Fellowship Certificate (Optional)

Notarized Letter from Fellowship (document cases completed during training)

Log of studied but not performed cases completed during training.

 

Practice Experience

Required Documentation

Current Medical License including expiration date

Medical Board Certificate

Fellowship Certificate (Optional)

Notarized Letter from hospital/practice (document cases completed in practice within the preceding four (4) years)

Forty (40) hours of AMA Category 1 CMEs devoted to echocardiography in the preceding two years

 

Extended CME

Required Documentation

Current Medical License including expiration date

Medical Board Certificate

Fellowship Certificate (Optional)

Notarized Letter from hospital/practice (document cases completed in practice within the preceding three years)

ASA/SCA Basic Perioperative TEE Education Program within two years of the application.

 

Supervised Training/Extended CME (Hybrid)

Required Documentation

Current Medical License including expiration date

Medical Board Certificate

Fellowship Certificate (Optional)

Notarized Letter from Fellowship (document cases performed during training)

ASA/SCA Basic Perioperative TEE Education Program within two years of the application.

Maintenance of Testamur or Diplomate Status 

Testamurs and Diplomates of the NBE are required to take the ReBasic® PTE examination in either their 8th, 9th, or 10th year surrounding their 10-year anniversary date to maintain their status with the NBE. Individuals who allow their status to lapse will have their names removed from the NBE’s online Testamur/Diplomate listing page.

If a Diplomate does take and pass the ReBasic® PTE examination in the compulsory timeframe but does not submit the required documentation for recertification, the candidate is eligible to apply for recertification at any time before the expiration of their Testamur status; however, when they do apply for recertification he or she will have to pay a $200.00 reinstatement fee along with the recertification requirements. Once their application for recertification is approved, their status will be changed from Testamur to Diplomate of the level in which they were approved.

If a Testamur/Diplomate does NOT take and pass the ReBasic® PTE examination in the compulsory timeframe, the individual must pass the ReBasic PTE and pay a $200.00 reinstatement fee at the time of application. Additionally, Diplomates who do not take the ReBasic PTE® in the required 3 year period must meet the initial certification requirements and the CME requirements for recertification along with the $200.00 reinstatement fee.

If Testamur or Diplomate status has lapsed more than 9 years, applicants must take the Advanced PTEeXAM.

Example for 2013 Initial Examination Pass Date:

Action Year
Initial Examination Passed 2004
Eligible for Recertification Examination 2021 to 2023
Retake Initial Examination 2024 or later

KEY POINT – At any point after their certification has lapsed, applicants may attempt the initial Basic PTEeXAM and receive certification for 10 years from the year the most recent exam was passed.

*All letters documenting cases completed during training or practice, must be on official letterhead, singed by an approved signor, and notarized, dated and stamped by a notary/justice of the peace/lawyer(barrister) at the time of witnessing the signing of the letter in person. All letters must be the original and not a copy of the original document.*

Supervised Training

Sample notarized Letter from Fellowship

Sample Log of studied but not performed cases completed during training

 

Practice Experience

Sample notarized Letter from Practice/Hospital

 

Extended CME

Sample notarized Letter from Fellowship

Sample notarized Letter from Practice/Hospital

 

Supervised Training/Extended CME (Hybrid)

Sample notarized Letter from Fellowship

Questions?
Contact a Certification Specialist
Our Certification team is available M-F 8:45am-4:45pm EST