AEPC Certification of basic training in paediatric and congenital cardiology

AEPC Certification of basic training in paediatric and congenital cardiology

With the AEPC Certification of basic training in paediatric and congenital cardiology, the AEPC aims to establish a certificate of training to ensure an equally high standard of training in the field throughout Europe which subsequently allows state-of-the-art treatment of patients with congenital heart disease in future. As the subspecialty of Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology is not officially recongnised in all European countries, the AEPC certificate can be considered as an international European reference of high quality training in the field.

This certification can be achieved by paediatricians / cardiologists at the end of their training in paediatric cardiology. The Educational Committee has worked out the criteria to reach the AEPC certification in agreement with the AEPC council.

The certification consists of two components which both should be completed in order to be certified:

Part 1 - AEPC exam in paediatric and congenital cardiology

REGISTRATION FOR THE AEPC EXAM IN PAEDIATRIC AND CONGENITAL CARDIOLOGY 2025 WILL OPEN IN JANUARY 2025.

DATE & TIME

• Passing a multiple choice exam containing 125 questions.
• The exam will take place online on Wednesday 25 June 2025, duration 3 hours. The 2025 exam will NOT be held during the 58th AEPC Annual Meeting (AEPC 2025) in Hamburg, Germany. 
• A separate confirmation of passing the exam will be provided.  

REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION

• Trainees in Paediatric Cardiology after having passed at least 18 months of training in a nationally recognized training centre worldwide (AEPC and non-AEPC represented countries).
• Trained Paediatric Cardiologists, including AEPC members and non-members
• Maximum number of participants in 2025: 100 candidates
• Preference of participation will be given to AEPC junior members

REGISTRATION

• Registration for the AEPC 2025 exam in paediatric and congenital cardiology will open at the end of January 2025. You may register for the exam, once you have read through the requirements > 
• A letter of the head of the training centre or verification of passed training has to be uploaded with the registration.
• Registration deadline: 2 June 2025.

Part 2 - Education and experience and its documentation

DOCUMENTATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE IN THE AEPC LOGBOOK

• Training in paediatric cardiology in one of the countries represented by AEPC and in an AEPC recognized training centre for 2-3 years depending on the general training in paediatrics or cardiology. Paediatric cardiologists who obtain training in centres outside Europe are eligible only to participate in the AEPC exam as a proof of theoretical knowledge. A separate confirmation of passing the exam will be provided (see Part 1 AEPC exam).
• Documentation of the training in the AEPC Logbook, approved by the head of the training centre.
• The AEPC logbook can be downloaded here >

SUBMISSION OF THE LOGBOOK FOR CERTIFICATION

• Trainees: after completion of 2 or 3 years of training in Paediatric Cardiology (latest 18 months after passing the exam).           
• Paediatric Cardiologists: latest 1 year after passing the exam.

In general, the training should be in agreement with the AEPC recommendations as published in Cardiology in the Young: “Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology Recommendations for basic training in paediatric and congenital cardiology 2020”.

Certification of basic training in paediatric and congenital cardiology

Upon successful completion of both parts of the certification process, the certificate will be provided by email to the participants.

The names of successful candidates will be listed on the AEPC website as well as during the Annual Business Meeting.

Overview of certified AEPC professionals >