The EECC is not a mandatory qualification for doctors without a UK National Training Number, but demonstrates knowledge of core cardiology equivalent to that required for the award of a certificate or completion of training (CCT). Following the exam, successful candidates sitting via the Portfolio Pathway route will be issued with a certificate stating that they demonstrated knowledge of core cardiology, equivalent to that required for the award of a certificate of completion of training (CCT).

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 resident doctors contains 6 UK-specific questions relating to UK guidance and legislation.

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. 

For Portfolio Pathway candidates 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. See How to Apply below for details.

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

It costs £535.00 to take the exam.

Registration will open shortly. Online registration for the 2025 exam closes 23:59 Sunday 23 February 2025, and registrations will not be accepted after this date.

There are several steps to complete:

• Step 1 – Please provide a short letter of reference from your Medical Director

(Link to download template letter) 

The letter must be on your Hospital/Trust headed paper, and dated and signed by your Medical Director, including:

• Your Medical Director’s name and email address
• Details of the posts you have worked in for the last 3 years

Without this supporting documentation, your application will not be approved and registration for the exam may be cancelled by BCS without prior notice.

• Step 2 – Email the letter of reference to [email protected], following which the BCS Education Co-ordinator will contact you
• Step 3 – Once received, your supporting documentation will be reviewed by BCS (usually within 2-3 working days). If approved, you will then receive a unique link to register for the exam. Before proceeding to register, you will also be asked to confirm you have submitted the required information.

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

• From mid-March 2025, the ESC will send you a link to the Preparatory Course which includes sample questions, you can read more about that here: (Candidates Exam Preperation link)

• From mid-March 2025, you will receive a message from the ESC with a dedicated link to book your exam slot

This PDF document presentation shows you how to do this: How to book your exam slot link

Please prepare carefully for the exam and know exactly what you need to do. The ESC will send detailed instructions for you.

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.

Future Exam Dates

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

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 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®.