The Certified Cardiac Rehabilitation Professional (CCRP), exclusively for cardiac rehabilitation (CR) professionals, is the only certification aligned with the published CR competencies. AACVPR’s exam assesses proficiency via exam questions that evaluate knowledge of facts, concepts and processes required to complete the following tasks as illustrated in the new CCRP Exam blueprint (valid for all exams administered during and after the May 2025 Exam Window).

The  CCRP Candidate Handbook also has additional information for exam candidates. Exam questions are based on a wide variety of publications, regulations and resources in the field. A full list of exam resources can be found in the Exam Resource Document (effective as of the May 2024 window). To review the current CCRP Pass Rates, click here.

The CCRP certification is awarded by the AACVPR Professional Certification Commission solely upon achievement of a passing score on the exam. There is no requirement for any class, course or other education or training programs provided by AACVPR or any other provider in order to sit for the CCRP examination.

Certification Information

Recertification Information

Eligibility – U.S. and International Candidates

Professionals wishing to sit for the CCRP exam must meet the following criteria by the end of the application period:

• 1,200 clinical hours in CR/secondary prevention in Cardiac Rehabilitation

AND

• At least one of the following: 
  • Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree or higher in a health-related field from an accredited college or university
  • Current RN licensure
  • Current RRT credential (with RT Associates Degree).

Professionals who do not meet the eligibility requirements may appeal their eligibility by completing the CCRP Eligibility Appeals Form and submitting it with a professional resume and letter of attestation from their supervisor to certification@aacvpr.org.

2025 Exam Windows

The May 2025 Exam Application Window will open on March 1, 2025 and close on April 22, 2025. The exam will be based on the updated Exam Blueprint, available here. This window will be manually scored, so candidates will not receive their results automatically. Candidates can expect to receive their results by mid-July 2025. As such, candidates that sit for the window during this period will receive a $75 discount on their exam registration fees. This discount is only available for the May 2025 window – any candidates that register for the May window but then ask to be transferred to future windows will need to pay the difference between the discounted May exam window rate and the standard registration rate. 

Click here for step-by-step instructions on how to apply. Click here for troubleshooting instructions if you do not see the option to register when you follow the step-by-step instructions.

You must be logged in to the AACVPR website for you to access the CCRP application. Don't have a login? Click here to create an account.

NOTE: Are you looking to recertify your CCRP Credential by sitting for the CCRP exam, or are you planning to sit for the exam again after your CCRP certification lapsed? Please contact AACVPR staff at certification@aacvpr.org for special instructions on how to register for the exam.

Please see below for the scheduled exam windows for 2025.

*A new blueprint for the CCRP Exam that will be in use starting with the May 2025 Exam Window is now available here. Candidates that are studying for the May 2025 Exam window or after should follow this blueprint. 

Certification Cost

*Any candidates that transfer their registration from May to a future window will be expected to pay the difference between the discounted May exam fee and the standard exam fee.  

About the Exam

Recertification

The purpose of renewal of certification is to assure a level of continued competence through the ongoing enhancement of knowledge and skills in the field of cardiac rehabilitation. A three-year certification cycle has been established to maintain current knowledge with the ever-changing aspects of cardiac rehabilitation. Candidates may recertify by either earning 60 continuing education credits (25 of which must be AACVPR-approved), or by re-sitting for the exam and passing prior to the expiration of their current certification. If you prefer to resit for the examination to recertify, please contact the AACVPR Certification team at certification@aacvpr.org for guidance.

2025 Recertification Information

The 2025 deadline for CCRP recertification is December 1, 2025.

Applications submitted after the December 1 deadline will be subject to a $30 late fee and will be accepted for one month. A six-month extension to June 1, 2026, is also available by request and will be subject to a $60 late fee; for more information about the six month extension, please contact us at certification@aacvpr.org.

Recertification Policies and Important Documentation

• CCRP Recertification Policy
• Want step-by-step directions on how to recertify? Click here to download our helpful recertification guide
• Experiencing issues viewing your certification while trying to recertify? Click here 
• Questions about what counts toward the requirement for 25 AACVPR-approved credits?
  • Participation in any live or free recorded webinars for AACVPR members AACVPR webinars*
    *note that course credit offerings will always be listed in the course description
  • Participation in any AACVPR Learning Center course bundle.
  • Participation in an AACVPR-approved affiliate event. Please contact certification@aacvpr.org for a list of previously approved events. If you need a copy of your certificate from an approved event, please reach out to the event host.

Recertification Fees

By Contact Hours:

By Examination:

NOTE: Are you looking to recertify your CCRP Credential by sitting for the CCRP exam? Please contact AACVPR staff at certification@aacvpr.org for special instructions on how to register for the exam.

Verification

Our Certified Cardiac Rehab Professionals in Good Standing document is updated periodically for employer or certification verification purposes. If you have any questions, please contact certification@aacvpr.org.

NCCA Accreditation: The AACVPR CCRP Certification currently holds NCCA accreditation through 2/28/2026. Accreditation can be verified via the Institute for Credential Excellence National Commission of Certifying Agencies Accredited Program Search. 

Apply for Certification or Recertify Today 

Ready to apply or recertify? Log in to your AACVPR account, and click on the link below to navigate to your profile. When on your profile, click on the “CCRP Certification” link at the top of the page and either click “Apply for Certification” to start the process or “View or Renew Certification” to submit for recertification.

Click here for step by step instructions for certification, and click here for step by step instructions for recertification.

Apply or Recertify