CCI RVS Certification Exam Syllabus
Welcome to the official MedicoExam syllabus guide for the CCI Registered Vascular Specialist certification. This page delivers a clear, structured overview of the CCI RVS exam, including key exam details, syllabus topics, and preparation references to support effective study planning. The CCI Registered Vascular Specialist (RVS) is intended for professionals pursuing roles aligned with vascular ultrasound, with assessment centered on applied competencies such as vascular ultrasound examinations, ultrasound physics and vascular hemodynamics, patient care and safety within real-world settings like hospitals and medical centers, vascular laboratories, diagnostic imaging facilities and related settings.
The syllabus outline below reflects the core domains and expectations defined by the official CCI certification framework and aligns with the cognitive and professional standards assessed in the CCI RVS exam. Candidates can use this guide alongside official vendor resources and structured practice to align their preparation with current exam standards and professional expectations for vascular sonographers, vascular ultrasound professionals, diagnostic medical sonography professionals and related roles
CCI RVS Exam Summary and Key Details
| Exam Name | CCI Registered Vascular Specialist |
| Credential | CCI Registered Vascular Specialist (RVS) |
| Vendor | Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) |
| Exam Code | RVS » CCI RVS Certification Practice Exam |
| Exam Delivery Mode | Computer-based testing at Pearson Professional Centers and Pearson VUE Authorized Test Centers |
| Exam Duration | 180 mins |
| Number of Questions | 170 questions (150 scored and 20 unscored) |
| Passing Score | 650 (on a scale of 0-900) |
| Exam Price | $365 (USD) |
| Scheduling Window | 90-day eligibility window after application approval and issuance of the Authorization to Test (ATT) |
| Schedule Exam | Pearson VUE |
| Trainings/Resources |
- Daigle, Robert J. Techniques in Noninvasive Vascular Diagnosis: an Encyclopedia of Vascular Testing. 4th ed. Littleton, CO: Summer Pub., 2014. - Edelman, Sidney K.. Understanding Ultrasound Physics. 4th ed. 2012. - Kremkau, Frederick W., and Flemming Forsberg. Sonography Principles and Instruments. 9th ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Elsevier/Saunders, 2016. - Rumwell, Claudia, and Michalene McPharlin. Vascular technology: an Illustrated Review. 5th ed. Pasadena, Calif.: Davies Pub., 2017. - Thrush, Abigail, and Timothy Hartshorne. Vascular ultrasound: how, why, and when. 3rd ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2010. - Size, Gail P, Lozanski, Laurie, Russo, Troy. Inside Ultrasound Vascular Reference Guide, Inside Ultrasound, Inc. |
| Sample Questions | CCI RVS Exam Sample Questions |
| Recommended Practice | CCI RVS Certification Practice Exam |
CCI RVS Exam Syllabus Topics and Weighting
| Topic Areas | Topic Details, Courses, Books | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Maintaining Patient Care and Safety |
- Identify and assess patient - Verify appropriateness of examination and recognize contraindications - Elicit patient history and risk factors - Position patient - Identify and document critical findings - Use standard, universal precautions and sterile techniques - Maintain ergonomic safety - Perform quality assurance and improvement - Practice bioeffect safety and maintain equipment - Generate preliminary finding for physician interpretation |
11% |
| Applying Principles of Physics and Hemodynamics |
- Set-up examination equipment (e.g., transducer selection, examination pre-sets) - Obtain optimal gray scale image - Apply hemodynamic principles - Optimize pulse wave (PW) Doppler data - Optimize continuous wave (CW) Doppler data - Optimize color Doppler data - Detect artifacts - Optimize power Doppler |
15% |
| Performing Abdominal/Visceral Examinations |
- Perform renal duplex - Perform mesenteric duplex - Perform abdominal aortoiliac duplex (including endovascular repair) - Perform iliocaval duplex (including venous stents) - Perform organ transplant duplex (e.g. kidney, liver) |
10% |
| Performing Extracranial/Intracranial Examinations |
- Perform extracranial duplex - Perform transcranial Doppler (imaging and non-imaging) - Perform extracranial post intervention duplex |
20% |
| Performing Arterial Examinations of the Upper and Lower Extremities |
- Perform extremity arterial duplex - Perform post-intervention assessment (e.g., bypass grafts, stents) - Perform segmental pressures and/or ankle-brachial indices (ABI) - Perform pulse volume recording (PVR) - Perform exercise testing - Perform specialty physiologic testing (e.g., Allen’s test, cold sensitivity, thoracic outlet, popliteal entrapment) - Assess for post-procedure arterial complications (i.e., pseudoaneurysm, arteriovenous fistula (AVF), hematoma) |
22% |
| Performing Venous Examinations of the Upper and Lower Extremities |
- Perform extremity venous duplex - Perform lower extremity venous insufficiency testing - Perform vein mapping - Perform peri-procedural (e.g., ablation, PICC) venous assessment |
19% |
| Performing Hemodialysis Examinations |
- Perform hemodialysis access examination - Perform pre and post operative testing |
3% |
The CCI RVS certification exam is designed to assess both theoretical knowledge and applied professional judgment in vascular ultrasound. The exam evaluates competencies such as vascular ultrasound examinations, ultrasound physics and vascular hemodynamics, patient care and safety, ensuring candidates are prepared for real-world responsibilities as vascular sonographers, vascular ultrasound professionals, diagnostic medical sonography professionals and related roles working in settings such as hospitals and medical centers, vascular laboratories, diagnostic imaging facilities and related settings.
To prepare effectively for the CCI Registered Vascular Specialist exam, candidates are encouraged to review official vendor materials, complete structured practice assessments, and gain hands-on experience relevant to their professional role.
