19th Basic Echocardiography Certification Course (19BECC)

The Echocardiography Certification Course and Examination is to ensure that all users of echocardiography in Malaysia obtain a minimum level of competency to practise independently as an end-user. It will also protect the public of misuse and misinterpretation of the test, and allows cross referencing between practitioners as there will be consistency and standardisation of the images obtained and reports.

The exam is organised by the Echocardiography Division of the Society of Cardiac Imaging Malaysia (SCIM), which is under the auspices of the National Heart Association of Malaysia (NHAM).

The course and examination will be held two times in a calendar year. Dates and venue will be posted on the NHAM website.

Participants who plan to attend and attain the certification is encouraged to have had done at least 6 months or more of independent echocardiography exams to benefit the most from this program. The course and certification is not for the absolute beginner in the use of this modality. A Testimony of Competency (TOC) MUST be submitted (template will be provided) before we can accept your enrolment.

The exam will consist of:

Phase 1 - Written section:

• 60 Multiple Choice Questions (90 mins)
• 20 Slide Interpretation (40 mins)

Phase 2 - Practical section: (upon passing of Phase 1 only)

• Log Book (50 cases)
• Full Report (30 cases)

Full Study (5 cases, to be compiled in a CD including moving images and still-frames – topic to be included are as follows: 1 case of ischaemia evaluation, 1 case of valvular evaluation, 1 case of heart failure evaluation, 1 case of simple congenital evaluation and 1 other interesting case of your choice)

The written section will be held at the end of the Basic Echocardiography Courses. As for the practical section, the candidate is allowed 6 months after the passing of the written examination to complete the task allocated.

The final result will be available from week-4 onwards after the submission of the full practical section.

Failure of the written examination will not allow you to proceed to the practical section, you are encouraged to sit for the written examination again in the next sitting in order to proceed to the practical section and obtain full certification. A repeat fee of RM 108.00 (inclusive 8% SST) will be charged. 

Upon completion of the practical section and passing the overall examination, a Certification in Echocardiography will be awarded by the National Heart Association of Malaysia.