Cardiovascular Credentialing International

What Cardiovascular Credentialing International does

Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI), founded in 1968 and headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, is a non-profit 501(c)(6) credentialing organization that develops and administers professional certification examinations for cardiovascular technologists and allied health professionals. CCI offers nine credentials spanning the major cardiovascular subspecialties — including Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS), Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS), Registered Vascular Specialist (RVS), and Registered Electrophysiology Specialist (REPS) — and serves a global base of more than 31,000 active credential holders. The organization operates under ANAB (ANSI National Accreditation Board) accreditation to ISO/IEC 17024 standards, partnering with Pearson VUE for secure, computer-based exam delivery and an in-house online portal for applications, renewals, and credential verification.

CCI's core technology stack is conventional assessment infrastructure: psychometrically validated exam content delivered through Pearson VUE's global test center network, backed by a recently launched self-service credentialing portal and a catalog of self-assessment and educational products. The organization is small operationally (1-10 employees) and is governed by a volunteer board drawn from the cardiovascular professional community.

CCI's revenue model is a high-volume, low-ticket B2C credentialing business. Revenue is generated from initial exam fees (approximately $100 filing plus Pearson VUE delivery charges), self-assessment products (approximately $55), triennial credential renewal fees (approximately $165), and educational and preparatory materials. Mandatory triennial renewal with required continuing education units creates a recurring revenue base tied to the active credential holder population, while new candidate volume drives exam fee revenue. The model is structurally diversified across tens of thousands of individual professionals with no meaningful customer concentration, and partnerships with major cardiovascular societies — including the American College of Cardiology (ACC), ASE, SDMS, HRS, and SVU — function as endorsement channels rather than anchor customers.

Name

Cardiovascular Credentialing International

Legal name

Cardiovascular Credentialing International

Website

https://cci-online.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit founded in 1968 that administers ANAB-accredited credentialing exams for cardiovascular technologists, serving 31,000+ credential holders globally through nine specialty credentials and Pearson VUE-delivered assessments.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Credentialing and Certification Services

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Certification & Licensing Exam Management Platforms (EDAFADAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Digital Assessment Platforms & Computer-Based Testing Authorities (EDADAFAK), Credentialing, Certification Prep & Exam Training (BPACANAJ), Nursing & Allied Health Certification Prep (CNA, EMT/Paramedic, Radiology, Sonography, PT/OT) (EDANAIAB)

Keywords

• Cardiovascular credentialing exams
• Professional certification services
• Cardiac sonographer credentials
• Vascular ultrasound certification
• Allied health personnel certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Raleigh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Examination Fees: Fees collected from candidates applying to take CCI credentialing examinations. Application fees include a $100 USD non-refundable filing fee. Additional fees apply for retesting after failures.
2. Credential Renewal Fees: Triennial renewal fees of $165 USD per cycle for maintaining active credential status. Additional late fees ($50 USD) and probationary penalties apply for late renewals. Retired status administrative fee is $30 USD.
3. Self-Assessment Exams: Online self-assessment examinations available for $55 USD to help candidates gauge readiness for credentialing exams. These are one-time purchase products accessible for 72 hours once initiated.
4. Educational Grants: CCI awards grants up to $2,500 USD to students and credential holders to attend continuing education events, funded by the Aaron S. White Educational Grant program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CCI administers computer-based credentialing examinations for cardiovascular professionals across nine specialized credentials: two certifications (CCT, CRAT), four registry credentials (RCES, RCS, RCIS, RVS), two specialty credentials (RCCS, RPhS), and one advanced credential (ACS). Examinations are delivered year-round through Pearson VUE testing centers globally, with successful candidates earning credentials that must be renewed on a triennial cycle and maintained through continuing education units.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT) An entry-level certification for cardiographic technicians that validates competency in performing and interpreting non-invasive cardiovascular diagnostic procedures.
• Certified Rhythm Analysis Technician (CRAT) A certification for technicians specializing in cardiac rhythm analysis and EKG interpretation.
• Registered Cardiac Electrophysiology Specialist (RCES) A registry credential for professionals working in cardiac electrophysiology studies and device implantation procedures.
• Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) A registry credential validating competency in adult cardiac ultrasound and echocardiography for sonographers.
• Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) A registry credential for professionals assisting in cardiac catheterization and invasive cardiovascular procedures.
• Registered Vascular Specialist (RVS) A registry credential for non-physician vascular technologists performing non-invasive vascular ultrasound examinations.
• Registered Congenital Cardiac Sonographer (RCCS) A specialty credential for sonographers performing echocardiographic evaluation of congenital heart disease in pediatric and adult patients.
• Registered Phlebology Sonographer (RPhS) A specialty credential validating competency in venous ultrasound and phlebology examination for sonographers.
• Advanced Cardiac Sonographer (ACS) An advanced credential recognizing experienced cardiac sonographers with comprehensive knowledge and leadership-level competency.
• CCI Self-Assessment Examinations Online self-assessment exams priced at $55 per exam that allow candidates to gauge their readiness before attempting CCI credentialing examinations; access lasts 72 hours once initiated and is available for one year after purchase.
• Triennial Credential Renewal Recurring three-year renewal service priced at $165 per cycle that maintains active credential status, requires continuing education units, and includes late-fee and probationary reactivation tiers for credential holders.
• Aaron S. White Educational Grant Annual grants of up to $2,500 each awarded to one student and one active credential holder to fund registration, accommodation, and transportation for continuing education events.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 10% employment growth projected from 2021 to 2031 for cardiovascular professionals according to US Bureau of Labor Statistics
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• American College of Cardiology (ACC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025Strategic partnership launched September 2025 providing CCI credential holders with ACC membership benefits including waived application fees, free CME courses, discounts on ACC conferences and educational sessions, automatic enrollment in CV Team Section, and access to DocMatter Community for collaboration.
• Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLongstanding partnership with SDMS for professional society liaison role. SDMS members gain access to CCI credential information and continuing education resources. CCI maintains presence at SDMS annual conferences.
• American Society of Echocardiography (ASE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLongstanding partnership with ASE. CCI credential holders (ACS, RCS, RCCS) benefit from ASE scope of practice resources, conference participation, and professional development. ASE membership provides CCI credential holders with continuing education and networking.
• Heart Rhythm Society (HRS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLongstanding partnership with HRS for electrophysiology professionals holding RCES credentials. Provides scope of practice guidance and continuing education resources for RCES credential holders.
• Society of Vascular Ultrasound (SVU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLongstanding partnership with SVU for vascular technology professionals. RVS credential holders reference SVU scope of practice. CCI maintains presence at SVU annual conferences.
• Alliance of Cardiovascular Professionals (ACVP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with ACVP serving non-physician cardiovascular professionals. Provides career center resources, professional development, and networking for CCI credential holders. ACVP connects over 3,000 members and 10,000 networked professionals.
• Society for Vascular Ultrasound (SVU)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerSVU scope of practice documentation referenced for RVS credential holders. Provides continuing education forwarding services to CCI for credential holder CEU tracking.
• American Vein and Lymphatic Society (AVLS)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerAVLS provides scope of practice documentation for RPhS credential holders. AVLS membership discounts available to CCI credential holders for continuing education and professional development.
• Readex ResearchminorOthersIndependent survey research company retained by CCI to conduct the Compensation Impact Survey of credentialed professionals, providing salary and benefits insights for the profession.
• Pearson VUEcoreTechnology or IntegrationTesting administrator for CCI computer-based credentialing examinations. Provides 230+ Pearson Professional Centers in the US and 3000+ authorized testing centers globally for year-round exam delivery.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP): CAAHEP accredits cardiovascular technology educational programs whose graduates become CCI's primary candidate pool. As the upstream gatekeeper of program quality and a recommended-prerequisite gate for CCI exam eligibility, CAAHEP is a structural ecosystem partner and adjacent comparator.

Direct peers

• Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS): BPS certifies pharmacists across specialties (BCPS, BCCCP, BCCP) using a comparable specialty-credential portfolio model, computer-based testing, and triennial recertification. It mirrors CCI's structural approach to specialty credentialing within a single profession.
• American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS): ARDMS administers the RDCS, RVT, and other sonography credentials that directly overlap with CCI's RCS, RCCS, and RPhS offerings for cardiac and vascular sonographers. Both compete for the same cardiovascular sonographer candidate pool and employer recognition.
• Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB): NMTCB certifies nuclear medicine technologists (CNMT, PET) via computer-based testing at Pearson VUE. It is structurally analogous to CCI — a single-specialty allied health credentialing non-profit with ANAB-aligned accreditation and triennial renewals.
• National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC): NBRC is a peer non-profit credentialing body that administers CRT, RRT, and specialty credentials for respiratory therapists using Pearson VUE. It shares CCI's non-profit model, ANAB accreditation pathway, allied-health focus, and computer-based testing infrastructure.
• National Board of Echocardiography (NBE): NBE provides the ASCeXAM and Advanced PTEeXAM credentials for physicians in echocardiography — a complementary but competing credentialing pathway for cardiac sonography professionals in the cardiovascular specialty space CCI serves with its RCS and ACS credentials.

Broad incumbents

• American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS): ABMS is the umbrella credentialing body for physician specialties in the US, including cardiovascular disease. While CCI focuses on allied cardiovascular professionals rather than physicians, ABMS sets the certification standards and employer expectations that CCI's cardiovascular credentials must complement.
• American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT): ARRT is a larger, established credentialing body for radiologic technologists and related imaging professionals. It overlaps with CCI for cardiovascular technologists working in catheterization labs and represents a broader allied-health credentialing incumbent in imaging.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CVcredentialing
• Facebookfacebook.com/ccionline.org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cci-online
• Instagraminstagram.com/cciwholehearted

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cardiovascular Credentialing International