Certified Associate in Biomedical Technology(CABT)
Exams are now administered online ONLY and can be applied for and taken at anytime. Test takers will need to have a strong internet connection and an active/functioning webcam and microphone during the exam. For more details about the online proctored exam rules and requirements, please review the ACI Candidate Handbook.
A certified associate in biomedical technology is an individual who is new to or planning to enter the HTM field and looking to earn an entry level certification to kick-start their career. In a work setting, this professional will be responsible for scheduled technology maintenance, supporting senior technicians, incoming/routine inspections on new equipment, and minor troubleshooting. Characteristics of a CABT include, but are not limited to: strong communication skills, problem solving abilities, resourcefulness, strong time management skills, technology acumen, highly motivated, and resilience.
The CABT designation is non-renewable and is active for five years. If an individual wishes to maintain the designation, they will need to take and pass the exam again. At the five year expiration date, the candidate will have the necessary experience to sit for the CBET or CRES exam.
Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET)
Healthcare technology management professionals that desire a CBET certification are expected to have experience in a wide-range of electromechanical devices, computers, networks and software used in the delivery of healthcare. Generally, candidates 4 desiring for this certification may work for medical device manufacturers, hospitals, clinics, home healthcare providers, medical device repair companies, regulatory bodies/agencies, and software manufacturers – such as EMR or device integration providers.
CBET candidates typically perform some of the following duties on a daily basis:
- Test and calibrate medical devices (preventive maintenance)
- Troubleshoot medical devices in a clinical setting and/or bench/depot setting (corrective maintenance)
- Manufacture software, parts or devices for use in patient care
- Ensure compliance with all regulatory processes necessary (i.e. CMS, FDA GMP, etc.
- Manage medical software/hardware systems (i.e. PACS Administrator, Integration Specialist, Alarm Management, RTLS Systems, etc.)
- Perform corrective and preventive maintenance on steam systems
- Educate the proper use, care and maintenance of medical devices
- Review technical manuals
- Document any and all maintenance and repairs and maintain records of maintenance activities
- Troubleshoot medical device networks
Complete information and the exam application is available in the ACI Certification Handbook.
Certified Radiology Equipment Specialist (CRES)
Healthcare technology management professionals that desire a CRES certification are expected to have experience in a wide-range of medical imaging modalities, electromechanical devices, computers, networks and software used in the delivery of healthcare. Generally, candidates desiring for this certification may work for medical device manufacturers, hospitals, clinics, medical device repair companies, regulatory bodies/agencies, and software manufacturers – such as EMR or device integration providers.
CRES candidates typically perform some of the following duties on a daily basis:
- Test and calibrate medical devices (preventive maintenance)
- Troubleshoot medical devices in a clinical setting and/or bench/depot setting (corrective maintenance)
- Manufacture software, parts or devices for use in patient care especially imaging systems
- Ensure compliance with all regulatory processes necessary (i.e. CMS, FDA GMP, etc.)
- Manage medical software/hardware systems (i.e. PACS Administrator, Integration Specialist, etc.)
- Educate the proper use, care and maintenance of medical devices
- Review technical manuals
- Document any and all maintenance and repairs and maintain records of maintenance activities
- Troubleshoot medical device networks
Complete information and the exam application is available in the ACI Certification Handbook.
Certified Healthcare Technology Manager (CHTM)
The healthcare technology manager is a person responsible for planning and directing activities of other healthcare technology management professionals, monitoring their work, and taking corrective actions when necessary.
This HTM certification covers two major areas in healthcare technology management: the management of healthcare technology operations; and, the management of personnel. The functions of the manager are to include the participation in the “leadership” of the business enterprise. The manager is also expected to have the skills and understanding needed to perform strategic, business, and change management as well as employee relations.
Complete information and the exam application is available in the ACI Certification Handbook.
Certified Industrial Sterilization Specialist (CISS)
An industrial sterilization specialist is a person who understands the principles of sterilization process development, validation, control, and management as part of the manufacture of healthcare products
CISS has expertise in the science of sterilization (including but not limited to microbiology, physics, and chemistry), knowledge of sterilization processing, quality management systems, risk management and regulatory requirements.The CISS program is a two-test process including a:
- Sterilization core exam including 75 multiple-choice questions
- A choice of one of the following specialty exams listed below:
- Ethylene Oxide
- Moist Heat
- Radiation
- The specialty exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions.
Complete information and the exam application is available in the ACI Certification Handbook.
About
ACI Objective
ACI’s objective is to be the trusted source for quality professional development and credentials for healthcare technology-oriented professionals,industry, and healthcare delivery.
The AAMI Credentials Institute (ACI) maintains the certification programs for biomedical equipment technicians (CBET®), radiology equipment specialists (CRES®), healthcare technology managers (CHTM), and industrial sterilization specialists (CISS). Each certification requires a separate, complete application and a separate examination. Applicants may test in only one discipline per testing window, except for CISS. Candidates for CISS may take the core and specialty exams in one testing window.
AAMI membership is not a prerequisite for certification.
The certification programs recognize healthcare technology management professionals whose practice reflects a high degree of knowledge about medical devices and clinical practice as well as skill in implementing electro-mechanical talent in the repair and maintenance of devices used in the delivery of healthcare. Achieving ACI certification indicates that certification candidates have demonstrated a broad knowledge skill-set in the specific certification area.
Complete information is available in the ACI Certification Handbook.
Application
Application Process
The candidate must submit the completed application, registration form and appropriate fees at least 15 days in advance of the exam date. Exams are delivered through computer-based testing at testing centers nationwide during the two testing windows. Completed application forms should be sent to the ACI at 901 N. Glebe, Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22203, emailed to aci@aami.org, or faxed to 703-276-0793.
Applications are reviewed to verify information and documentation to determine eligibility and will be kept confidential. Candidates will not be discriminated against based on race, religion, creed, age, gender or national origin or ancestry.
Candidates who meet the program requirements will receive confirmation of their acceptance into the program via email. They will then be able to register for a specific exam site and time to take the test. Candidates who do not meet the program requirements will receive a status letter indicating the month and year they will be eligible to take the exam(s).
If the application is incomplete, the candidate will receive a letter or e-mail explaining what is missing and will have a 30-day time period to respond. If the candidate does not respond, the candidate must then submit in writing a request for a refund minus the application fee. The application may be deemed incomplete for reasons such as:
- Application is not completely filled out
- Application is not signed
- Appropriate fees are not submitted
- Proper documentation is not submitted
If the application is denied, the candidate will receive a letter or email stating the reason for the denial. Candidates will have 30 days to respond. The application may be denied for reasons such as:
- Failure to demonstrate eligibility in academic, work experience, or specialized training
- Falsification of any information on the exam application
Complete information is available in the ACI Certification Handbook.
Exam Content Outlines
Exam content outlines are available for every exam.Candidates can find the outlines at the back of this handbook. The content outline provides information such as the number and type of questions; how long the candidate will have to complete the exam; what materials the candidate may bring to the exam; and percentage of questions per category
Exam Day
Computer-based testing candidates are required to provide the exam proctor two (2) forms of identification (one must be a photo government issued ID). Secondary identification would be a credit card, bank debit card, employee identification card. NOTE: In the United States a Social Security card is “not” an acceptable form of identification. Candidates should also bring their confirmation email that contains the exam launch code with them on testing day in order to begin the test. The confirmation email will include the test date, time, testing center location and exam the candidate is taking. If the candidate loses or does not receive his/her confirmation email after scheduling the exam, please contact the ACI at 703-525-4890.
The candidate must arrive at the exam location at least 15 minutes prior to the exam starting time. Late arrivals will not be admitted to the room and will be considered “no shows” and lose all exam fees paid.
Scoring and Results
Exams are scored making every effort to ensure that the score is reported within a reasonable time period and that the score accurately reflects the points received by the candidate. This may involve hand scoring exams to verify results and/or reviewing candidate comments. Candidates are encouraged to write comments in the comment section of the exam. Comments can be related to a specific question; the administration of the exam; or the exam site conditions. Comments that would affect whether a candidate passes or fails an exam will be reviewed before the exam is scored. All other comments are reviewed by the ACI Board at their regularly scheduled meetings.
Notification of Results
Preliminary results will be reported for immediately following the completion of the exam and with 24 hours of completing their exam via email. Beginning is 2019 results will be reported as “pass” or “fail.” If the exam is using a new test form, results will be delayed up to sixty days after the testing window closes for exam committees to review and confirm passing score.
Candidates who pass an exam and achieve a certification will be notified of their passing status within 30 days. They will receive an official ACI certificate and a wallet card that they may carry with them.
Candidates who fail an exam will be provided with diagnostic information. The “analysis of performance” identifies the knowledge areas in which the candidate’s performance is deficient and is intended to help the candidate become better prepared before sitting for the exam again.
Please note: When new exam forms are added to the program, results will be delayed up to 60 days for ACI exam committees to review.
