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CPET Certificates

ARTP Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET) Certificate 

There are three levels of the ARTP CPET Certificate: Full, Performing only or Reporting only. Please click the dropdown arrows for further information on each level, the cost and how to book

ARTP CPET Full (Performing & Reporting) Level

The CPET Full level process is an assessment of competency in the performance and reporting of quality assured CPET. Candidates are required to complete:

  • A Multiple-Choice Questionnaire (MCQ) examination 
  • A Portfolio of Evidence
  • An Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) practical examination including a Technical VIVA (face to face)
  • A Clinical VIVA specific to the clinical interpretation of CPET data (face to face)
Cost: £625 (£525 for ARTP Members)

Please note this certificate does not include training or workshops and is the assessment only

Booking Conditions
Please ensure you read the Terms & Conditions and our cancellation policy prior to making your booking

Payment Methods
Pay Online - Use a credit or debit card to pay instantly
Pay by Invoice - Generate an invoice to be paid by BACS

Making a Booking
Bookings can be made by either yourself or by someone on your behalf

Book Now

Please contact the ARTP Administrator at certificates@artp.org.uk should you need any further help

 

ARTP CPET Performing only Level

The CPET Performing only level process is an assessment of competency to act as the lead in the performance of quality assured CPET. Candidates are required to complete:

  • A Multiple-Choice Questionnaire (MCQ) examination 
  • A Portfolio of Evidence
  • An Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) practical examination including a Technical VIVA (face to face)
Cost: £475 (£445 for ARTP Members)

Please note this certificate does not include training or workshops and is the assessment only

Booking Conditions
Please ensure you read the Terms & Conditions and our cancellation policy prior to making your booking

Payment Methods
Pay Online - Use a credit or debit card to pay instantly
Pay by Invoice - Generate an invoice to be paid by BACS

Making a Booking
Bookings can be made by either yourself or by someone on your behalf

Book Now

 

ARTP CPET Reporting only Level

The CPET Reporting only level process is an assessment of knowledge and competency to interpret and report quality assured CPET. Candidates are required to complete:

  • A Multiple-Choice Questionnaire (MCQ) examination 
  • A Portfolio of Evidence
  • A Clinical VIVA specific to the clinical interpretation of CPET data (online)
Cost: £250 (£225 for ARTP Members)

Please note this certificate does not include training or workshops and is the assessment only

Booking Conditions
Please ensure you read the Terms & Conditions and our cancellation policy prior to making your booking

Payment Methods
Pay Online - Use a credit or debit card to pay instantly
Pay by Invoice - Generate an invoice to be paid by BACS

Making a Booking
Bookings can be made by either yourself or by someone on your behalf

Book Now

 

ARTP CPET Renewal

The renewal process is 5 years after the last certificate date, and requires the completion of

  • A Portfolio of Evidence 
Cost: £120 (£100 ARTP Members)

Please note this certificate does not include training or workshops and is the assessment only

Booking Conditions
Please ensure you read the Terms & Conditions and our cancellation policy prior to making your booking

Payment Methods
Pay Online - Use a credit or debit card to pay instantly
Pay by Invoice - Generate an invoice to be paid by BACS

Making a Booking
Bookings can be made by either yourself or by someone on your behalf

Book Now

 

What assessments will I need to complete & what's involved?

MCQ Exam Information

The MCQ examination is mandatory for candidates undertaking the Full, Performing & Reporting CPET certificate and consists of 20 questions covering 7 domains (Calibration, quality assurance, contraindications, general testing principles, patient set up, data collection and test termination criteria).

The MCQ examination will be accessed via an online platform and a link to this will be sent to you by email prior to your arranged date. Candidates must complete the assessment under examination conditions defined as within a set time limit (45 minutes), without access to reference materials and under the supervision of nominated invigilator. Should the pass mark not be achieved, you will be given one further attempt to pass. 

Candidates are required to answer 16/20 questions correctly (80%) to pass the examination.

If you have notified us of reasonable adjustments, you will be given 60 minutes to complete the 20 questions.

 

Portfolio Exam Information 

The portfolio examination is mandatory for candidates undertaking all certificate levels. The ARTP are using an electronic portfolio platform called PebblePad to allow candidates to collect evidence and upload directly on to their online portfolio. PebblePad outlines the portfolio content with appropriate instructions given where required.

The CPET portfolio consists of a number of sections that must be completed which will depend on the level of certification that the candidate is registered for. The required sections within the portfolio must be successfully completed to the defined minimum standard in order to complete the certification process. When completing the portfolio, the candidate will be asked to answer questions and/or provide evidence of their competency.

Each portfolio consists of the following sections which must be completed:

Full Portfolio (Performing & Reporting)  Performing Portfolio  Reporting Portfolio
  • Background Information
  • Evidence of Training
  • Evidence of Practice Part 1 
  • Evidence of Practice Part 2
  • Declarations
  • Background Information
  • Evidence of Training
  • Evidence of Practice Part 1 
  • Evidence of Practice Part 2
  • Declarations
  • Background Information
  • Evidence of Training
  • Evidence of Practice Part 1
  • Declarations

Portfolio Evidence of Practice Part 1

Upload evidence of 25 completed patient tests performed by yourself with a patient within the past 12 months. 

Upload evidence of 25 completed patient tests performed by yourself with a patient within the past 12 months. 
Please ensure each test meets the following criteria:
• Reason for testing
• 8-12 minutes in duration
• Terminated due to symptom limitation
• Relevant technical comments
• Clinical interpretation with relevant suggestion for further testing/ referrals to different specialisms. Ensure to answer the clinical question posed in the request.

Each report should include as a minimum tabular data demonstrating non-identifiable demographics; resting, VT1 and peak aerobic, cardiovascular, ventilatory and gas exchange responses; a 9-panel plot that identifies VT1 and VT2 (if achieved) and ECG traces at rest, during exercise and in recovery. Please include review of any identified abnormal responses, e.g. ST changes on ECG. 

Included in the 25 CPET, ensure that you have at least (name your files with these titles):
• One normal test
• One deconditioned subject
• One submaximal effort
• One cardiac impairment
• One ventilatory limitation
• One gas exchange abnormality
• One dysfunctional breathing
• One pre-operative assessment (unless outlined in Background information 1.3 that pre-operative assessments aren’t completed as per local practice

Important Information: You will need to ensure all your results are anonymised so that the patient’s name, ID, NHS number, date of birth and address are not visible so that the patient cannot be traced in anyway. Upon marking your portfolio, if assessors note that you have uploaded identifiable patient data, marking will cease immediately. Please note - some machines display the patient ID at the bottom of the trace - this also must be removed.

Submitting identifiable data is a breach of patient confidentiality and GDPR regulations and as a consequence, the portfolio markng will cease immediatley. will be failed and returned to you to notify you of this breach.

Portfolio Evidence of Practice Part 2

Upload the following Evidence of Practice examples and include a description in the relevant text areas:

  1. One test referral identified as inappropriate and provide a justification
  2. One “decision not to proceed to test” based on clinical safety grounds with short reflection 
  3. One test termination due to technical issue with short reflection
  4. One test termination based on clinical safety grounds with short reflection
  5. Two situations where a clinical test did not go as planned with reflective account


For all your short reflections, please ensure these are between 100-500 words.

 

OSCE & VIVA Exam Information 

Those undertaking the:

  • Full (Performing & Reporting) level - will undertake a face to face OSCE exam (which includes the Technical VIVA) and a Clinical VIVA exam, in their own workplace
  • Performing level - will undertake a face to face OSCE exam (which includes the Technical VIVA) in their own workplace
  • Reporting level - will undertake a virtual Clinical VIVA exam
 

FAQs

What are the requirements for CPET candidates?

ARTP recommends that candidates meet the following pre-requisites, described below, to successfully complete the ARTP CPET Certification. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure that they are competent for each of the pre-requisites.

General knowledge
 - Understand and perform basic mathematical operations (multiplication, division, decimals, and percentages)
 - Demonstrate an understanding of calculating ratios and slopes
 - Use basic functions of a scientific calculator

Basic PC skills
 - Use the basic functions of a computer
 - Have basic mathematics skills
 - Demonstrate ability to use drop down menus, select and accept options, etc.

Specialist knowledge 
 - Competent to perform quality assured CPET
 - Comprehensive understanding of quality control and calibration processes

 

What are the Training requirements for this certification?

Training
We recommend completion of a suitable CPET course, which covers the following key learning outcomes:

  • Normal cardiac and respiratory physiological responses to exercise
  • Safe practice, contraindications to test, when to terminate test
  • Preparing the patient for the test
  • Performing the test
  • Protocol selection based on reason for referral
  • Patient set-up
  • Exercise ECG interpretation
  • Test termination
  • Appropriate data collection for analysis
  • Interpretative strategies based on reason for referral
  • Identifying an abnormal response to exercise
  • Generating an effective report and answering the clinical question
  • Delivering a quality assured service
 

What is the Enrolment process?

As part of the CPET enrolment process you will asked to complete an online Multiple Choice Questionaire (MCQ) exam.
The MCQ will act as a ‘gatekeeper’ and successfully passing the MCQ ensures prospective candidates have the appropriate underpinning knowledge to proceed with the CPET assessment process.

The pass rate for the MCQ is 80%. Once you have passed your CPET MCQ you will then be enrolled and given access to the Portfolio and be provided with a deadline for completion (12 months from enrolment date). Once you have passed your portfolio, you will then be invited to completed the final OSCE/VIVA exam and this will need to be undertaken within 6 months.

Please note - Unless you are the clinical lead for your CPET service, it is the requirement of the portfolio that candidates have a specified Mentor who will be responsible for undertaking competency assessments in the workplace. Completion of the portfolio is the responsibility of the candidate. Please ensure you seek approval from the Mentor, if required, before applying to begin the certification.

 

What is the Examination format?

Portfolio
Once your application is accepted and you have passed your MCQ exam, you will receive access to your portfolio. Your submission must be sent to us for marking before your deadline date. 
If you fail your 1st attempt, you will be granted a free 2nd attempt to pass. You will have 12 months from your enrolment date to complete and pass your portfolio.

OSCE and/or VIVA Assessments
Once you have passed your portfolio your assigned Assessor will invite you to complete the OSCE and/or VIVA. You will have 6 months to complete and pass this final assessment.

Those undertaking the:

  • Full (Performing & Reporting) level - will undertake a face to face OSCE exam (which includes the Technical VIVA) and a Clinical VIVA exam, in their own workplace
  • Performing level - will undertake a face to face OSCE exam (which includes the Technical VIVA) in their own workplace
  • Reporting level - will undertake a virtual Clinical VIVA exam
 

Will I need a Mentor & what are the requirements?

Unless you are the clinical lead for your CPET service with extensive experience, you must have a Mentor to undertake the ARTP CPET Certificate.

To successfully complete the ARTP CPET Certificate, candidates should undertake a period of theoretical and practical skills training with a suitably qualified mentor. ARTP recommends that all mentors meet the minimum standards outlined below:

  • It is envisaged that most candidates will complete their training within their own workplace, accessing the CPET service delivered within their own Trust
  • If there are no suitable mentors within their own practice, the candidate should find a suitable mentor that meets the criteria from another organisation
  • Mentors should familiarise themselves with the ARTP CPET Certificate Examination process to ensure that they can support and guide candidates
  • ARTP recommends that mentors have achieved a minimum of the ARTP Full CPET Certificate, or equivalent (e.g., performs and reports a minimum of 25 CPET per year), and have maintained their competency in the performance of quality assured CPET in a clinical setting
  • Mentors should demonstrate experience of teaching or training in healthcare
  • Mentors must ensure that candidates receive adequate support and mentoring throughout the CPET Certification examination process
 

Do ARTP offer any reasonable adjustments for those undertaking the exams?

Candidates with impairments or learning difficulties may apply for additional time on their MCQ exam or OSCE/VIVA, by completing a Special Requirements Form and returning it to certificates@artp.org.uk

 

When should I book my assessment examinations?

Candidates have a deadline to complete their portfolio and other assessments.

Your portfolio and OSCE and/or Clinical VIVA assessments must all be completed and passed by your deadline date - this includes additional attempts.

 

How do I defer or extend my completion time, or withdraw from the qualification process?

If you need to extend your qualification enrolment date, please visit the Candidate Resources page to complete the extension request form.

If you wish to withdraw from the qualification altogether, then please email certificates@artp.org.uk with a written request to do so. Please see the ARTP Cancellation Policy for information regarding refunds.

 

Is there an Appeals Procedure?

If you feel that you have been unfairly graded or assessed during any part of your assessment process you have the right to appeal against the decision. This decision however should not be taken lightly and you should be clear on your reasons before you proceed. You are advised to discuss your appeal with your Mentor before you submit your appeal, but this is not a mandatory requirement. Please click here for the ARTP Appeals Process.

 

Booking

Click on the certificate above for information, price and booking

Please contact the ARTP Administrator at certificates@artp.org.uk should you need any further help