1. Clinical engineering certification in the United States
Tobey Clark, CCE, University of Vermont*, Burlington USA
* WHO Collaborating Center for Health Technology Management
Presentation #159
Fourth WHO Global Forum on Medical Devices

2. Fourth WHO Global Forum on Medical Devices
Disclosure
The presenter declares no conflict of interest with the materials provided.
Fourth WHO Global Forum on Medical Devices

3. History of Clinical Engineering Certification in the US
1960’s: Cesar Caceres was the first to use the term clinical engineering stating:
“Trying to put engineering into the clinical world of medicine so that our various disciplines could work hand-in-hand to improve healthcare in the reality of the practicing medical world.”
1972: Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) formed the Commission for Clinical Engineering and Biomedical Equipment Technology.
: 49 individuals were “grandfathered” as Certified Clinical Engineers with an additional 147 becoming certified including individuals added from Canada and the American Board of Clinical Engineering (now dissolved)
1983: International Certification Commission created
1999: 474 individuals certified
1999: AAMI clinical engineering certification program discontinued

4. History of Clinical Engineering Certification in the US
2002: American College of Clinical Engineering became the organization responsible for Clinical Engineering Certification
Individuals certified under the AAMI certification program offered an opportunity to become certified by ACCE
ACCE HT Foundation formed for financial management
HT Certification Commission responsible for establishing performance criteria
US Board of Examiners develops and implements policies and operating procedures
ACCE Healthcare Technology Foundation
Healthcare Technology Certification Commission
United States Board of Examiners for Clinical Engineering Certification
Governance 2002

5. Clinical Engineering Certification in the US
American College of Clinical Engineering Clinical Engineering Certification
Purpose:
Establishing and measuring the level of knowledge required for certification as a clinical engineer
Providing a standard of knowledge requisite for certification
Recognizing formally those individuals who meet the eligibility requirements of the Board and pass the Examination Certification for Clinical Engineering
Requiring continued personal and professional growth in the practice of clinical engineering to maintain certification

6. Clinical Engineering Certification in the US
American College of Clinical Engineering Clinical Engineering Certification
National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA) national organization of certification practices
Body of Knowledge
Initial adaption based on ACCE guidelines and known practice
Periodic surveys of ACCE members related to the practice of clinical engineering
Questions are derived based on the Body of Knowledge
Registry of certified clinical engineers
Renewal process requiring employment, training and professional activities documented
In 2014, the financial administration was transferred from the Healthcare Technology Foundation to ACCE

7. Clinical Engineering Certification in the US
ACCE Certification Process
Application review by the Board of Examiners for Clinical Engineering Certification
Cost $475
Application due in July for November exam
Three references completing defined form
written examination; and
oral examination
Eligibility Requirements*
* US and international applicants except Canada

8. Clinical Engineering Certification in the US
Examination Content:
I. Technology Management……………………….………………………………………… %
II. Service Delivery Management…………………………………………………………….19.9 %
III. Product Development, Testing, Evaluation, & Modification ……….……….4.3 %
IV. IT / Telecom ………………….………………………………………………………………….…6.8 %
V. Education of Others ……………..………………………………………………………..……8.0 %
VI. Facilities Management…………………………………….……………………………..….5.7 %
VII. Risk Management / Safety ………………………..…………………………..……….10.2 %
VIII. General Management.…………..…………….…………………………………..…….13.4%

9. Clinical Engineering Certification in the US
Written Examination:
150 multiple choice questions with 4 hours of allotted time
Administered by the Professional Testing Corporation
Several hundred testing sites in the United States
Oral Examination:
The oral examination can be arranged once the written exam is passed
The objective of the examination is to assess candidate’s oral presentation of clinical engineering ideas in an organized and professional manner as well as their application of practical knowledge to solve problems
Typically the oral examination is completed at the AAMI Annual Meeting
Candidates outside of the United States and Canada must complete and submit the Request for International Special Test Center Form

10. Clinical Engineering Certification in the US
Renewal:
Certification in Clinical engineering is for a period of three years at which time the candidate must demonstrate continuing practice or development as a clinical engineer
After three years, renewal is required to continue to be certified in clinical engineering
Canadian applicants:
Canadian Board of Examiners for
Clinical Engineering Certification
Eligibility requirements differ from US

11. Clinical Engineering Certification in the US
Certification Aids:
Certification CCE Study Guide V7.0
The ACCE study guide written by an independent group of clinical engineers not associated with the HTCC or the exam process
ACCE - CCE Exam Review
Four instructors
Covers all topics in examinations
Courses
Webinar Series (10 weekly sessions)
Two day classroom course at AAMI Annual Meeting
214 individuals on ACCE certification list

12. Primary contact: tobey.clark@uvm.edu
Thank you!
Questions?
Primary contact: