Ready to earn your CV-BC? Get the eligibility rules, exam cost, study tips and a realistic timeline to become a board certified cardiac-vascular nurse.

<p class="">The CV-BC is a board certification for nurses who care for patients with heart and blood vessel conditions, including cath lab nurses. It shows hospitals, cardiologists and your team that you have proven cardiac-vascular knowledge. With two years of experience and a focused study plan, it is well within your reach.</p>
<p class="">Here is how to earn it, what it costs and how long it takes.</p>
<h2 class="">What Is the CV-BC Certification?</h2>
<p class="">The CV-BC, or Cardiac-Vascular Nursing certification, is awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). It covers heart and vascular care across settings, including the cath lab, cardiac step-down, telemetry and outpatient cardiology. The credential is valid for five years.</p>
<h2 class="">Why Earn Your CV-BC?</h2>
<ul style="margin-left:20px">
  <li class=""><strong class="">Stand out to employers:</strong> It shows proven heart and vascular expertise.</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Build confidence:</strong> Studying deepens your knowledge of heart conditions, medications and procedures.</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Open new doors:</strong> It strengthens your application for lead, educator and specialty roles.</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Show your commitment:</strong> It tells your team you take cardiac nursing seriously.</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="">Who Is Eligible for the CV-BC Exam?</h2>
<p class="">To sit for the CV-BC, you need:</p>
<ul style="margin-left:20px">
  <li class="">A current, active RN license in a U.S. state or territory, or the legal equivalent in another country</li>
  <li class="">The equivalent of two years of full-time practice as an RN</li>
  <li class="">At least 2,000 hours of clinical practice in cardiac-vascular nursing within the last three years</li>
  <li class="">30 hours of continuing education in cardiac-vascular nursing within the last three years</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="">How to Become a CV-BC in 7 Steps</h2>
<h3 class="">Step 1: Earn and Keep an Active RN License</h3>
<p class="">Your license must be current and active. If you work in more than one state, our <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/licensure-guide" rel="noopener noreferrer"  class="">Licensure Guide</a> can help you stay on track.</p>
<h3 class="">Step 2: Build Your Cardiac Experience</h3>
<p class="">Work toward 2,000 hours in cardiac-vascular nursing within a three-year window. Cath lab, cardiac ICU, telemetry and cardiac step-down hours can all count.</p>
<h3 class="">Step 3: Complete 30 Hours of Cardiac CE</h3>
<p class="">Take 30 hours of continuing education focused on heart and vascular care. Keep your certificates, since you will need them for your application.</p>
<h3 class="">Step 4: Decide on Membership</h3>
<p class="">ANA members pay $100 less for the exam. Members of the Society for Vascular Nursing (SVN) or the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association (PCNA) also get a discount.</p>
<h3 class="">Step 5: Apply and Schedule</h3>
<p class="">Apply online through ANCC any time of year. Once approved, you have a 120-day window to schedule and take your exam through a Prometric testing center. Ask your employer first, since many hospitals cover certification fees.</p>
<h3 class="">Step 6: Study and Take the Exam</h3>
<p class="">Most nurses study for two to three months. Start with ANCC’s test content outline, then add practice questions and a review course. The exam has 150 questions (125 are scored), with three hours to finish.</p>
<h3 class="">Step 7: Renew Every Five Years</h3>
<p class="">Your CV-BC lasts five years. To renew, you complete professional development activities, like continuing education, and track them in your ANCC account. You can apply to renew up to one year before your credential expires.</p>
<h2 class="">H2: How Much Does the CV-BC Cost?</h2>
<p></p>
<table class="">
  <tbody class="">
    <tr class="">
      <td data-row="1" class="">Cost Item</td>
      <td data-row="1" class="">Amount</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="">
      <td data-row="2" class="">CV-BC exam, ANA member</td>
      <td data-row="2" class="">$295</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="">
      <td data-row="3" class="">CV-BC exam, SVN or PCNA member</td>
      <td data-row="3" class="">$340</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="">
      <td data-row="4" class="">CV-BC exam, nonmember</td>
      <td data-row="4" class="">$395</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="">
      <td data-row="5" class="">Renewal (every 5 years)</td>
      <td data-row="5" class="">$250 to $350, depending on membership</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="">
      <td data-row="6" class="">Study materials and CE</td>
      <td data-row="6" class="">Varies, from free resources to paid review courses</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>
<p></p>
<p class="">Exam prices include a $140 administrative fee that is not refundable.</p>
<p class=""><strong class="">Tip:</strong> Ask your manager about reimbursement. Cross Country travel nurses also get unlimited free CE credits, which can help you meet the 30-hour requirement and renewal needs.</p>
<h2 class="">How Long Does It Take to Become a CV-BC?</h2>
<p class="">From the start of nursing school, most nurses earn the CV-BC in about four to six years:</p>
<ol style="margin-left:20px">
  <li class=""><strong class="">Nursing school:</strong> About two years for an ADN or four years for a BSN</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">RN practice:</strong> Two years full time, including 2,000 cardiac hours</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Continuing education:</strong> 30 cardiac CE hours, often earned along the way</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Study time:</strong> Two to three months</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Testing window:</strong> 120 days after approval</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Renewal:</strong> Every five years</li>
</ol>
<h2 class="">What Is on the CV-BC Exam?</h2>
<p class="">The exam covers heart and vascular care from prevention to recovery, including:</p>
<ul style="margin-left:20px">
  <li class="">Heart and blood vessel anatomy and how they work</li>
  <li class="">Patient assessment and diagnostic tests</li>
  <li class="">Heart attacks, heart failure and heart rhythm problems</li>
  <li class="">Vascular conditions</li>
  <li class="">Heart medications</li>
  <li class="">Procedures, devices and post-procedure care</li>
  <li class="">Patient education, prevention and professional practice</li>
</ul>
<p class=""></p>
<p class="">Always check ANCC’s current test content outline, since topics and weights are updated over time.</p>
<h2 class="">CV-BC Study Tips From the Lab</h2>
<ul style="margin-left:20px">
  <li class=""><strong class="">Study in short bursts:</strong> 20 to 30 minutes on your days off adds up fast</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Link cases to topics:</strong> Connect each procedure you work to an exam area</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Practice questions daily:</strong> Learn why wrong answers are wrong</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Find a study buddy:</strong> Quiz each other between cases or on break</li>
  <li class=""><strong class="">Book your date early:</strong> The 120-day window keeps you on track</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="">Frequently Asked Questions About the CV-BC</h2>
<h3 class="">Is the CV-BC only for cath lab nurses?</h3>
<p class="">No. It covers cardiac and vascular nursing in many settings, including telemetry, cardiac step-down, cardiac ICU and outpatient cardiology.</p>
<h3 class="">Is there a cath lab specific certification?</h3>
<p class="">Some cath lab nurses also earn the RCIS (Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist), a credential often held by cath lab technologists. Check what your employer prefers.</p>
<h3 class="">Does the CV-BC increase pay?</h3>
<p class="">Some hospitals offer a certification bonus or pay differential. Even where pay does not change, the CV-BC can help you qualify for more competitive roles.</p>
<h3 class="">What comes after the CV-BC?</h3>
<p class="">Many cath lab nurses move into the cardiac ICU to deepen their critical care skills.</p>
<h2 class="">Put Your CV-BC to Work</h2>
<p class="">Your certification makes you a strong candidate for cardiac roles nationwide. Explore <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/travel" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="">travel cath lab nursing jobs</a>, find <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/local" rel="noopener noreferrer"class="">local and per diem shifts</a>, or learn <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/blog/how-travel-nurses-identify-high-quality-assignments" rel="noopener noreferrer"  class="">how to spot high-quality assignments</a> before you sign. When you are ready, <a href="https://www.crosscountry.com/apply-now" rel="noopener noreferrer"  class="">apply with Cross Country</a>.</p>


CV-BC Certification: Steps, Cost and Timeline 

Cross Country

How to Become a Certified Cardiac Cath Lab RN (CV-BC): Steps, Cost and Timeline

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