Curriculum
Trainees in The UTHealth Cardiovascular Perfusion Program at McGovern Medical School will be required to complete a full-time 12-month program composed of academic and clinical training.
The program runs concurrent didactic and clinical schedules to meet the requirements graduates require to sit for the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion’s board exam. The exam is composed of two parts, the Perfusion Basic Science Examination (PBSE) and the Clinical Applications in Perfusion Examination (CAPE). Graduates should be eligible for the PBSE provided they meet the criteria. Candidates are not eligible to take the CAPE until after graduation and have performed 40 cases outside of perfusion school. The criteria for both are detailed below.
PERFUSION BASIC SCIENCE EXAMINATION
Eligibility Criteria
The criteria for application to take the Perfusion Basic Science Examination are as follows:
The applicant must fulfill one of the following criteria:
The applicant must have graduated from, or be currently enrolled in, an accreditedLinks to an external site. cardiovascular perfusion education program, and anticipating graduation prior to the date of the examination; or
The applicant must have been admitted to the examination process before April 15, 1981, or have been previously certified by the ABCP.
Applicants for the examination must have the following on file in the National Office prior to the examination:
A current official transcript of credits from the accredited school of cardiovascular perfusion, indicating date of graduation.
A written statement of satisfactory clinical competencyLinks to an external site. from the Clinical Competency Committee of the school.
PBSE Case RecordLinks to an external site. documenting a minimum of 75 cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) cases performed during the education program. A minimum of 10 clinical pediatric cases requiring cardiopulmonary bypass must be observed or performed for the certification process. Pediatric cases performed may count toward the 75 minimum cardiopulmonary bypass case requirements; observational pediatric cases do not count toward the 75 minimum cardiopulmonary bypass case requirements.
Effective 11/1/2025, all PBSE Case Records submitted within the exam application process must detail the ABCP Certified Clinical Perfusionist (CCP) Instructor’s first name, last name and CCP#. Case logs with initials or incomplete names will be sent back for revision. All materials must be submitted by the exam application deadline to qualify for exam eligibility. The ABCP PBSE Case Record was updated on September 30, 2025, to reflect this requirement. Candidates can find ABCP CCP#s on our website at: https://www.abcp.org/certification-verification/Links to an external site.. Please note – ECMO and VAD cases must report the name and CCP# of the CCP overseeing the ECMO or VAD. Non-CCP names listed as the clinical instructor are not accepted for any cases submitted for certification exam applications.
Please Note: Beginning July 1, 2023: 5 of the 75 Primary Clinical Perfusion Activities (PCPA) must qualify as 3P – ECMO or 6P – VAD cases per Table ALinks to an external site.. The remaining 70 (or more) PCPA must qualify as 1P – primary cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Definitions of Qualifying Primary Clinical Perfusion Activities can be found hereLinks to an external site..
Credit will be considered for perfusion experience only when the following criteria are met:
The student performed all seventy-five (75) cases within the United States of America, U.S. Territories, and/or Canada (effective 08/01/2024).
The student performed and/or observed ten (10) pediatric cases within the United States of America, U.S. Territories, and/or Canada (effective 08/01/2024).
The student participated in the preoperative planning and selection of equipment used during the perfusion.
The student performed the technical manipulations that constituted the essential parts of the procedure itself.
An instructor must be physically present during cardiopulmonary bypass cases and that instructor must be an ABCP Certified Clinical Perfusionist (CCP).
PBSE Application Procedure
Application window opens November 15, 2025Links to an external site. for the spring exam and May 15, 2026Links to an external site. for the fall exam.
Applicants are required to submit or arrange for submission of the following:
A completed PBSE Application
The PBSE application fee
Online ApplicationLinks to an external site. (submit payment information in the online application)
PBSE Paper ApplicationLinks to an external site. (submit application fee hereLinks to an external site.)
Applicants are required to submit, or arrange to submit, the following items to the National Office prior to the examination:
PBSE Case RecordLinks to an external site. documenting 75 clinical perfusions and 10 performed/observed pediatric cases, as outlined in the eligibility criteria. Effective 11/1/2025, all PBSE Case Records submitted within the exam application process must detail the ABCP Certified Clinical Perfusionist (CCP) Instructor’s first name, last name and CCP#. Case logs with initials or incomplete names will be sent back for revision. All materials must be submitted by the exam application deadline to qualify for exam eligibility. The ABCP PBSE Case Record was updated on September 30, 2025, to reflect this requirement. Candidates can find ABCP CCP#s on our website at: https://www.abcp.org/certification-verification/Links to an external site.. Please note – ECMO and VAD cases must report the name and CCP# of the CCP overseeing the ECMO or VAD. Non-CCP names listed as the clinical instructor are not accepted for any cases submitted for certification exam applications.
A current, official transcript of credits from the accredited school of perfusion, indicating date of graduation; and
A statement of satisfactory clinical competency from the Clinical Competency Committee chairperson at the accredited school of perfusion.
PBSE Case RecordLinks to an external site.
The number of times that the Perfusion Basic Science Examination can be taken is not limited.
Applicants retaking the Perfusion Basic Science Examination are NOT required to resubmitor arrange for resubmission of items 1-3, theClinical Education Record, the official transcript,and the Clinical Competency statement. Theseitems will remain on file from the previous application.
Please note, all applications submitted after March 16, 2026 for the spring exam (and after September 22, 2026 for the fall exam) will have a $100 late fee applied. Eligibility to register with Pearson VUE is contingent upon all documentation being received in the National Office prior to registration.
All files MUST be complete by March 30, 2026 for the spring exam and by October 5, 2026 for the fall exam. Eligibility to reserve a seat with the Testing Site is contingent upon receipt of all documentation by the National Office.
NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN.
PBSE Audit
The National Office conducts random audits of all PBSE case records submitted. Applicants selected for audit and their Program Director will be given notice that the PBSE record submitted for that student will be audited. The Clinical Site Coordinator or Site Representative for each hospital listed on the case record must be the one to verify the cases submitted. Each Clinical Site Coordinator or Site Representative will be provided an “Authorization for Release” form signed by the student and a copy of the submitted PBSE case record prior to their verification. Verification must happen within 14 days of the first notice. If verification is not received within 30 days of the first notice, an investigation may be started by the Credentials Committee for further actions.
CLINICAL APPLICATIONS IN PERFUSION EXAMINATION
Eligibility Criteria
The criteria for application to take the Clinical Applications in Perfusion Examination are as follows:
The applicant must fulfill one of the following criteria:
The applicant must have graduated from, or be currently enrolled in, an accreditedLinks to an external site. cardiovascular perfusion education program, and anticipating graduation prior to the date of the examination; or
The applicant must have been admitted to the examination process before April 15, 1981, or have been previously certified by the ABCP.
Applicants for the examination must have the following on file in the National Office prior to the examination:
All documentation as needed for the Perfusion Basic Science Examination; and
A clinical record itemizing 40 independent clinical perfusions after graduation from the accredited school of perfusion. Cases must come from Table A – Primary Clinical Perfusion Activities (PCPA)Links to an external site..
NEW! If you are not yet ready to upload a complete CAPE Case Record when completing the online application, you may choose to apply by agreeing to the CAPE Promissory in lieu of uploading the document.
The CAPE Promissory states that you agree to submit your 40 independent clinical perfusions to the ABCP National Office at [email protected] by 5:00 pm CT at least two weeks prior to the start of your exam window.
The due date is March 30, 2026 for the spring exam and October 5, 2026 for the fall exam.
CAPE Application Procedure
Application window opens November 15, 2025Links to an external site. for the spring exam and May 15, 2026Links to an external site. for the fall exam.
Applicants are required to submit or arrange for submission of the following:
A completed CAPE Application
The CAPE application fee
Online ApplicationLinks to an external site. (submit payment information in the online application)
CAPE Paper ApplicationLinks to an external site. (submit application fee hereLinks to an external site.)
Applicants are required to submit, or agree to submit, the following to the National Office prior to the examination:
A completed case summary documenting 40 independent clinical perfusions after graduation.
Cases must come from Table A – Primary Clinical Perfusion Activities (PCPA)Links to an external site..
CAPE Case RecordLinks to an external site.
The number of times that the Clinical Applications in Perfusion Examination can be taken is not limited.
Applicants retaking the Clinical Applications in Perfusion Examination are NOT required to resubmitthe case summary.
Please note, all applications submitted after March 16, 2026 for the spring exam (and after September 22, 2026 for the fall exam) will have a $100 late fee applied. Eligibility to register with Pearson VUE is contingent upon all documentation being received in the National Office prior to registration.
All files MUST be complete by March 30, 2026 for the spring exam and by October 5, 2026 for the fall exam. Eligibility to reserve a seat at a testing site is contingent upon receipt of all documentation by the National Office.
NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN.
COMPLETION OF EXAMINATION PROCESS
Examination Guidebook
The GuidebookLinks to an external site. for the examination process is provided to applicants online at no cost.
Foreign Applicants
Foreign applicants must meet the same requirements for certification as all other applicants.
Computer-Based Examination
2026 Fall Exam Dates: October 20-24
2027 Spring Exam Dates: April 13-17
The Perfusion Basic Science Examination (PBSE) and the Clinical Applications in Perfusion Examination (CAPE) are administered at Pearson VUE testing centers throughout the United States, U.S. Territories, and Canada during the dates listed above. Examinations may only be taken during that time period. Each examination is four hours in duration, and both may be taken on the same day pending test site availability.
Prior to registering for the examination(s) with Pearson VUE, examinees must complete the ABCP application process. To complete the application process, the following items must be on file in the ABCP National Office:
a completed application form with the appropriate fee;
an official transcript indicating date of graduation;
the clinical competency form signed by the student and the program director;
the clinical education record that applies to the examination(s).
Once the application process is complete, the ABCP National Office will authorize your examination(s) with Pearson VUE. You will receive an “Authorization To Test” email from Pearson VUE ([email protected]) with your candidate ID number and instructions for registering for your exam(s). The “Authorization To Test” email will also provide links to the Pearson VUE Exam Check-in ProcessLinks to an external site., Candidate Rules AgreementLinks to an external site. and ID RequirementsLinks to an external site.. Please read these documents carefully and ensure that you have the proper ID for admission to the testing center. If you have any questions or concerns about the check-in process, candidate rules or ID requirements, please contact the ABCP National Office.
Please note: We cannot guarantee appointment availability at your preferred location. We strongly encourage all examinees to schedule their appointments as soon as they receive their “Authorization to Test” email. Any changes, modifications, or adjustments to your appointment will result in the cancellation of your current booking and require rescheduling, which may lead to a new location and time.
You may cancel or reschedule up to 24 hours before your appointment with no penalty (via the Pearson VUE website or by phone). Although rescheduling online is preferable, you may contact Pearson VUE by phone at 877-839-7768 in the United States/Canada (Monday through Friday, 7 am to 7 pm U.S. Central Time). To help locate your record, tell the agent that the exam is sponsored by Professional Testing (PTI).
Pearson VUE will send you a confirmation e-mail each time you reschedule or cancel an appointment. There are multiple steps to reschedule online, so be sure that you complete all steps until “Your appointment is rescheduled!” screen is displayed. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please re-check the status of your appointment.
If you fail to cancel 24 hours prior to your appointment, do not show up at the testing center, arrive more than 15 minutes late, do not have proper identification, or are denied entry for any reason, you will forfeit 100% of the exam fee. You will need to re-register for the next exam window.
Each candidate is required to present one primary government-issued photo IDLinks to an external site. to the test center. The ID must have your first and last name; a recent, recognizable photo; and your signature. The first and last name on the ID must match the first and last name you used to register for the exam. The ID must be original (not a photocopy or digital ID), valid (unexpired), and government issued from the country in which you are testing. You can find a list of acceptable IDs here: Acceptable IdentificationLinks to an external site..
Candidates with Disabilities
Candidates who seek reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act will be required to provide 65 days’ notice and appropriate documentation of the disability and need for accommodation. The test site will be fully accessible, and reasonable accommodations of test administration procedures will be provided to enable such candidates to accurately demonstrate their knowledge and skill. If you need to request accommodations, please submit the ABCP ADA Accommodation FormLinks to an external site. or contact us at [email protected].
Alternate Testing Site
To provide the best possible exam experience, ABCP exams are administered in Tier 1 Pearson Professional Centers. If a candidate cannot find an examination slot within 100 miles of their address on file, the candidate may request an exemption to the currently approved exam site locations and have their exam(s) scheduled at an alternative Tier 2 testing center. Exam site exemption will only be approved when the National Office has confirmed that no suitable location is available.
Tier 2 testing centers may reside within other facilities and therefore may not provide ideal test taking conditions (i.e. noise, traffic, etc.). ABCP examinees who are approved to register at an alternative Tier 2 testing site accept this risk and will not be eligible for a retest based on the Tier 2 testing site conditions.
When a candidate cannot find an examination appointment within 100 miles of their address on file, they should contact Pearson VUE first to confirm whether a closer testing site is available. If one is not, the candidate should then contact the ABCP at [email protected] to request an exemption to schedule at an alternative testing center.
Candidate Appeals
The ABCP offers the opportunity to reapply and retake the examination an unlimited number of times. Candidates may only take an exam one time within the same exam window. Should examinees feel that there were items that were not accurate on the examination, they should send their appeal – including the specific content or exam questions of concern and the remedy desired by the candidate – to [email protected] within 14 days of the test. Should an error be found, every examinee will be given the benefit of the correction.
Examination Scoring
Scaled scores are created when the number of questions that candidates answer correctly is mathematically transformed. Scaled scoring is utilized by many other prominent exams, such as the SAT, ACT, LSAT, and MCAT. The ABCP has implemented scaled scoring for both the PBSE and CAPE examinations using a scaled score with a range of 120 to 480, with the cut score set at 400.
The use of scaled scores does not affect whether or not individuals pass or fail the examination. The pass/fail decision is always made by comparing the number of questions answered correctly to the passing score that was established using a criterion referenced process. All candidates who correctly answer more items than are required to pass the examination form that they took will obtain scaled scores that are between 400 and 480. Candidates who did not answer enough items to pass will obtain scaled scores between 120 and 399.
The use of scaled scores allows for the direct comparison of scores from one examination form to another because the passing standard will remain constant at a scaled score of 400. This process will allow candidates to better understand their exam performance when comparing their score from one exam form to another, regardless of when they test.
Immediately after completing the examination, examinees will receive a preliminary pass/fail result as a print-out from the Pearson VUE location administering the exam. This result is not used for credentialing. The National Office must receive final, numbered scores from the testing company for credentialing purposes. The final, official scores will be provided to examinees on an individual basis by the National Office four to six weeks after the exam(s).
Courses
| Semester | Contact Hours | Course Title |
|---|---|---|
| SEMESTER I | 3 | Anatomy and Physiology I |
| 3 | Principles and Practice in Perfusion Technology I | |
| 2 | Pathophysiology of Perfusion Technology I | |
| 4 | Clinical Practicum I | |
| Total Semester I Hours | 12 | |
| SEMESTER II | 3 | Anatomy and Physiology II |
| 3 | Principles and Practice in Perfusion Technology II | |
| 2 | Pathophysiology of Perfusion Technology II | |
| 4 | Clinical Practicum II | |
| Total Semester II Hours | 12 | |
| SEMESTER III | 3 | Pharmacology in Perfusion I |
| 1 | Principles and Practice in Perfusion Technology III | |
| 2 | Research in Perfusion/Case Report | |
| 4 | Clinical Practicum III | |
| Total Semester III Hours | 10 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 34 |
2026 Academic Calendar
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| First Day of Class | January 5 |
| Semester I | January 5 – May 1 |
| Memorial Day | May 25 |
| Semester II | May 4 – August 28 |
| Independence Day | July 4 |
| Semester III | August 31 – December 11 |
| Labor Day | September 7 |
| Thanksgiving | November 26 |
| Research Presentations | December 7 - 11 |
| Graduation | December 18 |