EAPCI Interventional Cardiology Certification Exam

What Is the EAPCI Certification in Interventional Cardiology?

The EAPCI certification is run by the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions, part of the ESC. It recognises cardiologists who have the knowledge and hands-on experience to practise interventional cardiology to a European standard. Like other ESC certifications, it has two parts: a written exam and a logbook.

EAPCI Exam at a Glance

Who Can Take It?

EAPCI Associates or Members who either hold national board certification in cardiology or are cardiology fellows whose training director confirms their training.

The Logbook

After passing, you have two years to submit an e-logbook showing your interventional experience within a window of up to 24 months around the exam. You’ll also need a signed CV, training centre details, sign-off from your mentor and department director, and proof of attending a qualifying EAPCI meeting or course. No patient data, and each patient only once.

What Does the Exam Cover?

• Coronary anatomy, physiology (FFR, iFR) and intracoronary imaging (IVUS, OCT)
• Acute coronary syndromes and primary PCI
• Stable coronary disease and revascularisation decisions
• Complex PCI: bifurcations, left main, CTO and calcified lesions
• Antithrombotic therapy before, during and after PCI
• Complications and their management
• Structural interventions and access site management at a general level
• Current ESC guidelines

How to Prepare

1. Know the ESC guidelines on revascularisation, ACS and antithrombotic therapy.
2. Work through angiograms and imaging cases regularly.
3. Review complication algorithms: perforation, no-reflow, dissection.
4. Use EAPCI preparatory resources and courses.
5. Do a full 100-question timed practice to get used to three hours without a break.

A 10-Week Study Plan

Weeks 1–3: Physiology, imaging and stable disease. Weeks 4–5: ACS and pharmacology. Weeks 6–7: Complex PCI and complications. Week 8: Structural and access topics. Weeks 9–10: Guidelines review and full practice exams.

Common Mistakes

• Relying on local practice rather than ESC guidelines
• Under-preparing for antithrombotic therapy questions
• Missing the logbook deadline

How Do You Register for the EAPCI Exam?

Registration is individual and first come, first served. You need to be an EAPCI Member or EAPCI Associate, confirm your cardiology training, accept the ESC terms and pay in euros by credit card before the deadline. Join EAPCI well ahead of the deadline, because membership is the step people forget.

The written exam runs once a year, usually in December, and is taken online with remote proctoring, so you can sit it from anywhere. ESC lists the next sitting on 11 December 2026. Candidates start within a set afternoon window (Paris time), depending on slot availability, so check your local time conversion carefully.

The Two Parts of Certification

Passing the written exam is only Part A. To be certified, you must also submit your procedural logbook (Part B) by the deadline. ESC is strict here: late logbooks aren’t accepted, and you’d have to repeat the exam. ESC eLearning candidates who pass Part A and complete the 24-month ESC eLearning programme in interventional cardiology receive Part B automatically. Full certification is valid for five years, and then you apply to recertify.

What to Study

EAPCI’s own guidance points to the PCR-EAPCI Textbook of Percutaneous Interventional Cardiovascular Medicine, the latest ESC Clinical Practice Guidelines, EAPCI consensus and position papers, the EAPCI Core Curriculum and EAPCI webinars. Check that your guideline versions match the ones current at the exam date.

Related ESC Practice Exams

• EHRA Cardiac Pacing and ICD (CP)
• EHRA Invasive Cardiac Electrophysiology (EP)

What’s in the CertsArea EAPCI Practice Pack?

• 300 clinical-style practice questions with explanations
• PDF plus practice test software for Windows, Mac and mobile
• Free updates for 180 days and instant download

Also preparing for an arrhythmia certification? See our EHRA EP practice exam.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the EAPCI exam?

100 questions in three hours.

Is there negative marking?

No.

How long is the certification valid?

Five years.

When must I submit the logbook?

Within two years of your exam result.

Do I need EAPCI membership?

Yes, Associate or Member status.

Can fellows take the exam?

Yes, with confirmation from their training director.

How long is EAPCI certification valid?

Once you complete both the exam and the logbook, certification is valid for five years, after which you apply for recertification.

Do I need EAPCI membership to sit the exam?

Yes. You must be an EAPCI Member or EAPCI Associate to register.