The EECC is a requirement for a CCT (Certificate of Completion of Training), which enables you to apply for consultant roles in the UK. The EECC is administered by the European Society of Cardiology, in conjunction with the UEMS Cardiology Section and the national cardiac societies. Since 2018, the exam sat by UK trainees contains 6 UK-specific questions relating to UK guidance and legislation. 

The exam is open only to cardiology trainees in recognised training programmes who will be in their third or later year of specialty training at the point they sit the exam. For those on the 2012 (amended 2016) curriculum this equates to your ST5 year and for those on the 2022 curriculum this equates to your ST6 year.  

For those who are planning to apply via the Portfolio Pathway route (previously known as CESR) it is advised that you take this examination after undertaking at least two years of dedicated cardiology experience. You will need to complete an application process including a confirmation statement from the Medical Director at the Trust where you work confirming that you are working towards a Portfolio Pathway application in the next three years, and intend to practice in the UK thereafter. 

To apply via the Portfolio Pathway (formerly CESR) visit here.

The next exam is on Tuesday 17 June 2025. The exam takes place online on one single day in a calendar year.  

It costs £535 to take the exam.

Registration is now open. The registration closing date for the 2025 exam is 23:59 on Sunday 23rd February 2025. Please note registrations will not be accepted after the closing date.

There are several steps to complete: 

• Set up a free online account with the European Society for Cardiology – this PDF link EECC 2025_Candidates_How to create a MyESC account shows how to do this. The ESC will then allocate you a Candidate ID number that you will use for this application. 

• Once you have your ESC Candidate ID number you can register for the exam with the BCS. For this you will need to supply your email address, phone number, your ESC ID number, your NTD number (if a UK trainee – if you are a Portfolio Pathway candidate please go to the Portfolio Pathway page) and your GMC number. 
• Please note that all communications from both BCS and ESC will be sent to the email address that you used to register for the exam, so please ensure that you are checking that specific email box and look out for emails relating to your exam 
• Please click here to register for the EECC Exam.

• In mid March, the ESC will send you a link to the Preparatory Course which includes sample questions

• In mid April, the ESC will let you know when you can book your time slot for the exam, this link – EECC 2025_Candidates_How to book your exam slot shows you how to do this

Please prepare carefully for the exam and know exactly what you need to do. The ESC will send detailed instructions for you, please read their documents very carefully.

Exam results are usually available by the beginning of July. You will be able to access a breakdown of your results on the ESC website portal.  

A full refund, less £20 administration fee, will be issued for cancellations received in writing to [email protected] 8 weeks prior to the event and cancellations received after this date will not be refunded. You are not able to transfer your registration to someone else or defer the exam until next year. You will receive email acknowledgement when your request is received. 

EECC Privacy Notice

• It is necessary for us to share your data with ESC, GMC, CYIM and ProctorU® as detailed below

ESC
The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) will provide access to an online preparatory course for the exam via the ESC e-learning platform to everyone registered for the EECC 2025. To do this, you are required to have an ESC ID, and we need to supply your contact details to the ESC. You will be asked for consent to your data being shared as part of the registration process, for example name, home address, office address, mobile, personal number.

GMC
For the purposes of obtaining a CCT the GMC must be informed that a Dr has passed the BCS exam (please refer to the cardiology curriculum). The EECC exam is GMC compliant, therefore the BCS will provide data to the GMC once results are obtained for the purposes of quality assurance and research. All exam data from 2020 exam entrance onwards will be shared as follows:
Candidate ESC ID
GMC number
Candidate first name
Candidate surname
Exam date
Score
Pass mark
Pass/fail

The BCS hold a data sharing agreement with the GMC which sets out how EECC exam data may be used. These arrangements have been considered and agreed by the EECC UK board.

CYIM and ProctorU® – exam online
In order to process your registration, it is necessary for us to share information with CYIM and ProctorU® as the online examination test provider. It is the responsibility of trainees to provide BCS with the necessary information for registration with CYIM and ProctorU®.

Future Exam Dates

• 16 June 2026
• 15 June 2027
• 20 June 2028
• 19 June 2029
• 18 June 2030