BHRS FAQs
Please find a list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding BHRS Certification
General Certification Questions
The BHRS recommend accredited physiologists should now practice at Agenda for Change band seven level.
Yes, you must be an active BHRS member to register for the examination.
There are a large number of BHRS Accredited members nearing their accreditation expiry date. For those with accreditation due to expire BHRS have released a new system to accredit by collecting BHRS points. Anyone with accreditation due to expire in 2024 will be granted an extension to the end of 2024 while we transition over to the new system.
Those due to reaccredit would historically have had to resit the BHRS examination. You will still have the option to do this but you can also reaccredit using a CPD evidence-based points system called ‘BHRS points’. An online form is available below. Please keep relevant evidence of any CRM/ Cardiology/ Heart Failure courses, symposiums, conferences etc. to submit via the online form.
The logbook process is being streamlined for devices candidates to minimise the amount of “paperwork” that historically has been required, whilst ensuring the high standard of the BHRS certification. We will be doing this by focusing on practical work in a live environment.
As part of the accreditation process we will be introducing several DOPS (Direct Observation of Procedural Skills). These will be observed and reported on by an approved local supervisor.
The DOPS guide and associated web pages to upload to will be available within a week from the examination.
If you are a resit candidate you can continue collecting for your logbook and submit as usual. The new version is relevant for new device candidates for 2020. EP will remain the same and log books will need completing. 2023 and post-2023 EP candidates are not required to submit a logbook.
There is a separate industry certification certificate which acknowledges theoretical knowledge as demonstrated by passing the examination. You not need to complete the log book component. You will be required to produce a letter from your employer confirming they you are employed by the relative medical company
Yes, we run industry certification. You can get an EP or Devices (industry) certification by passing the written exam. You not need to complete the log book component. You will be required to produce a letter from your employer confirming they you are employed by the relative medical company.
Examination Questions
We will hold the next BHRS examination on Wednesday 15th May 2024 (time slots between 8am and midday – UK time – will be available). The examination will be held via Pearson Vue centres. Registration will open 13th January 2024 at cost of £350. Exam registration will be open until 22nd April 2024.
- Registration and payment will be online at bhrs.com
- Slots can be chosen between 8am and midday
- The location for the exam can be chosen by the candidate from over 150 Pearson VUE locations across the UK.
- Locations across the EU and around the world will also be available
- You have 4 hours to complete the exam
- There will be a 10 minute comfort break after 2 hours
- Extensions may be applied for during the initial registrations process.
- All candidates will have a choice of four exams; Clinical, Devices, EP and Physician
- Candidates should arrive at the test centre at least 15 minutes prior to their exam.
- Candidates can choose from locations worldwide
- After registration you will be able to create an account and book in with Pearson VUE and select which site you would like to site the exam at (the sooner you do this the more choice you will have). We will send you the link to the test centre booking page when it is available for you to book
No, if you need to resit you will need to register for the next examination.
There is only one fee for the entire certification process. This includes both the written examination and the log book. The fee is non-refundable and the cost is currently £350.
You can only do the exams (Device and EP) back to back in successive years. For example, year 1 sit (and pass) the device paper and in year 2 sit the EP paper.
Your exam pass / fail grade will be announced within 4 weeks of taking the exam. Once your logbook is submitted please allow up to 3 months for it to be marked. For the new style logbooks we hope to have these signed off within 0ne month.
To help you prepare for the BHRS examination live training sessions will be held via webinar. This will be complimentary to candidates.
This webinar is aimed at…
- Those sitting the BHRS Devices and EP exam
- Those considering sitting the Devices or EP exam
- All BHRS members who wish to test their knowledge
Members of the BHRS Accreditation Committee will take you through example questions, what to expect in the exam, and investigative techniques; as well as tips for diagnosis and treatments.
Registered exam candidates also will be emailed access to additional course materials.
You may sit the exam in the 1st or 2nd year however if you sit the exam in the 2nd year and fail you will not have enough time to re-sit and will need to re-register for the whole certification process again. It is therefore strongly recommended that all candidates sit the exam at the 1st available sitting after they have registered with BHRS. You should start collecting evidence for your logbook after written exam.
Yes. During registration you can request extra time and upload evidence. Reasons for consideration are as follows: long-term health conditions, mobility difficulties, mental health conditions, autism spectrum conditions sensory impairments, specific learning differences. Each case will be considered for approval for extra time. Extra time allowed will be an additional 1 hour. No additional breaks will be added.
Pearson test centres will remain open during lockdown. The current guidelines mean you are allowed to travel for education and work purposes. Pearson Vue have assured us their centres are absolutely safe with the most stringent measures in place.
We just need to remind you to ensure you take the system check on the computer you will be taking the examination. We recommend you do this as soon as possible to ensure your machine is able to accommodate the exam. The direct link to this can be found here: https://home.pearsonvue.com/bhrs/onvue Please ensure you choose a station with a good internet connection, webcam and microphone.
This page explains everything about taking the examination virtually. Please ensure you watch the video so you can prepare your area and know what to expect: https://home.pearsonvue.com/Test-takers/OnVUE-online-proctoring.aspx
You must be familiar with all the rules as a break of them could result in your exam being revoked. No food must be consumed unless on a break. Water in a clear glass is allowed. You are only allowed to leave the room during the scheduled 10 minute break after 2 hours. Leaving the room (unless on a scheduled break) will have your exam revoked. You cannot write things down on a piece of paper. You will need to use the whiteboard function integrated in the exam. You are allowed a pen and paper but only to use as a surrogate for calipers.
Food and drink aren’t permitted for either delivery (OnVUE virtual exams and test centres) unless it is an item covered on the published comfort aid list (see attached). Food and drink can be left with the invigilator for TC delivery if it’s outside of the comfort aid list and the candidate can access it during unscheduled or scheduled breaks. A clear glass of water is permitted for OnVUE delivery; it must be shown to the Greeter during the admittance process.
Candidates must provide their own comfort aids except for the following items, which must be provided by the test centre:
- Earplugs
- Noise-cancelling headphones
- Tissues/Kleenex
You will be required to present one form of original (no photocopies), valid (unexpired) government issued ID, which includes your name, photograph, and signature. The first and last name that you used to register must match exactly the first and last name on the ID that is presented on test day. All IDs required must be issued by the country in which you are testing. If you do not have the qualifying ID issued from the country you are testing in, an International Travel Passport from your country of citizenship is required. If you have any questions or concerns about the ID you are required to bring with you to the testing centre for admittance for your exam please contact Pearson VUE customer Service at www.pearsonvue.com/contact. To view the full ID policy, including any additional allowances to this policy, please visit http://www.pearsonvue.com/policies/1.pdf
Yes, you are allowed to bring in calipers to the examination. Online calipers are currently NOT provided by the venue so you must bring your own.
You must contact Pearson VUE or access your online Pearson VUE account to cancel your exam at least a minimum of 7 days prior to your appointment. Exams cannot be cancelled less than 7 days prior to your appointment. Failure to cancel in time or failure to appear for your appointment will result in the forfeiture of your full exam fee. Any cancellations up to and prior to the 7 days will be refunded minus a £50 admin fee. There is an option to defer your examination free of charge up to 7 days prior to your exam. You must also ensure you inform the BHRS Admin Team.
Test centre candidates are able to use the toilet at any time although it is preferred if you can wait until the 10 minutes break after 2 hours. You will need to put on your hand to get the attention of the proctor. Please note your time will continue to run.
Virtual candidates cannot leave the screen unless the break is scheduled so will not be able to use the toilet unless it is during the scheduled break after 2 hours.
Log Book Questions
You will be asked to start your logbook after sitting the examination. You will be informed of your deadline after you take the examination. This will be 18 months after the date of your exam. You may start collecting evidence 6 months prior to the exam.
Logbooks should be submitted online. Please use the logbook submission form. EP and Clinical Logbooks need to be submitted via the Dropbox method (details below)
EP & Clinical Logbooks must be submitted electronically via Dropbox to exam-logbook@bhrs.com. You complete ONE logbook only and the log book should not exceed 2GB (as this is the maximum Dropbox will allow). More details can be found below. Further instructions of how to use dropbox can be found here. If you require them folder templates can be found here. Please note we are currently looking at different technology to make this process easier so this may change prior to submission but we will inform you if this does.
Yes. That way the log book is ready to submit when you pass a re-sit.
Yes. You can submit cases up to 6 months prior to the date of the exam.
Requests for log book extensions must always be submitted via email (and not by telephone) to exam-logbook@bhrs.com giving full reasons why an extension is being sought. Requests will then be considered on a case by case basis by the certification committee. Please note that extension requests require clear mitigating circumstances (e.g. ill-health, pregnancy). Extensions will not be given for candidates who have failed to achieve the requisite number or type of devices. No extension will be awarded retrospectively. Also, please note that any request for an extension needs to be received a month before the log book should be submitted.
For the Devices Log Book you do not need to submit accompanying evidence i.e. print outs on implant or follow-up, ecg’s, holter reports etc. Your cases instead will be signed off by your accredited assessor. You will need to keep the evidence as 30% of logbooks will be audited. EP Log Books remain the same so evidence will need providing as specified.
It can be any member with BHRS/IBHRE or EHRA accreditation.
No. This is not necessary.
Your supervisor must be experienced in device management and ideally hold BHRS certification (previously Heart Rhythm UK certificate of accreditation) or the IBHRE qualification (pacing and devices) or the EHRA CP/AP qualifications (but not essential). Ideally a maximum of three supervisors.
You must obtain verification of the information and completion of the assessment sections from your supervisor, who must be experienced in device management and ideally hold BHRS certification (previously Heart Rhythm UK certificate of accreditation) or the IBHRE qualification (pacing and devices) or the EHRA CP/AP qualifications. Medical device company representatives will not be accepted as a supervisor.
Yes, doctor and hospital names are fine – but as stated in the log book instructions any patient identifiable information present within the logbook will result in an automatic fail.
If your PSA does not document slew rates then you do not need to record them on your logbook.
It is acceptable for implants to be used where the slew rate is not recorded.
A variety of different companies is advantageous but not essential
You have to complete the entire log book as stipulated in the logbook introduction. There is only one log book covering devices. All sections of the log book must be completed prospectively with devices from within a 24-month period from your agreed logbook start date.
If your hospital doesn’t have one there is a standard list that is on the pacemaker ID card / national (NiCOR) device database.
As stated in the log book instructions for CRT-D devices can count towards ICDs numbers and vice versa. There is a general rule that more complex devices trump simpler devices. Therefore, you can use CRT-D as any ICD and you can use CRT-D box changes for ICD box changes.
If you upgrade a pacemaker to CRT this can be included if needed. Out of the 10 pacemaker cases ideally no more than 3 should be for elective generator replacements (box changes).
No. The log book is clear that implants refer to the role of the physiologist. As such if an StR is performing an implant this should be as a physiologist and they should be using the analyser/PSA to perform lead measurements. This is not possible if the operator is scrubbed.
All the data you need to submit relates to the implant and up to the point of discharge which will be either same day or next day. We do not need 5-6 week follow up data.
The post implant check would be the same or next day check prior to hospital discharge.
If the operator does not undertake DFT testing then the implant can still be used but you must document the reason why a DFT test was not done e.g. not departmental policy. Very few units still routinely perform DFT tests for left sided primary prevention ICD implants.
All details of CRT implants / follow ups can be CRT-P or D devices.
It does not matter if the implants and follow ups are carried out in one day or spread out, providing you do the work and are appropriately overseen and signed off by your supervisor.
No. As they are “skills assessments” the candidates have to perform the test themselves and cannot have help.
Yes, you can use remote follow up for your log book.
For doctors / allied health professionals completing the log you need to take on the role as a cardiac physiologist for ALL sections of the logbook including implantation section. As such you should not be scrubbed assisting the implanting cardiologist. You should be using the analyser/PSA to check lead measurements and program device set up.
Candidates looking to reaccredit are not required to complete a logbook again. Those allowing their accreditation to lapse more than one year will be required to begin the process as a new candidate and will be required to complete the logbook.