The following are some of the most frequently asked questions that we get from certified individuals and those seeking certification. Please feel free to contact us directly, if you have a question that you're unable to find an answer to on this website.

Who is the American Board for Transplant Certification®?

The American Board for Transplant Certification (ABTC®) is the nation's only accredited certifying body for organ donation and transplant professionals. ABTC establishes education and competency standards while promoting continued professional growth. Whether you are a transplant nurse, coordinator, procurement coordinator, preservationist or financial coordinator – or oversee a team that includes these specialized professionals – ABTC shares your goals for continuous quality improvements in organ donation and transplantation. Learn more about ABTC.

What types of transplant certifications does ABTC offer?

Our transplant certification programs include:

 

  • Certified Clinical Transplant Coordinator (CCTC®)
  • Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse (CCTN®)
  • Certified Procurement Transplant Coordinator (CPTC®)
  • Certified Transplant Preservationist (CTP®)
  • Certified Transplant Financial Coordinator (CTFC)

For in-depth information on our certifications and examinations, content outlines, applications, and more, download the ABTC Candidate Handbook.

What are the benefits of becoming certified through ABTC®?

ABTC certification signals to employers, colleagues, and patients that your skills are highly specialized – that you embody exceptional expertise in your area of specialty. Becoming certified also boosts confidence and competence, which can lead to greater job satisfaction and improve patient outcomes. And, for these reasons and many more, with ABTC certification you will be more qualified for jobs with higher salaries at higher-quality institutions. Learn more about the benefits of ABTC certification.

How do I become certified?

ABTC certification is granted to qualified candidates who complete and pass the certification examination. Once you successfully complete the exam, you may use the appropriate credentials after your name: CCTC® for Certified Clinical Transplant Coordinator, CCTN® for Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse, CPTC® for Certified Procurement Transplant Coordinator, CTP® for Certified Transplant Preservationist, or CTFC for Certified Transplant Financial Coordinator.

How long will my ABTC certification be valid, and how can I maintain my certification over time?

Each certification is valid for three years, and you can maintain certification through continuing education activities or by successfully retaking the examination. The number of Continuing Education Points for Transplant Certification (CEPTCs) required for recertification through continuing education is 60. Learn more about recertification.

What are the qualifications to take the certification examination?

Candidates must complete the following requirements before completing an examination application:

Certified Procurement Transplant Coordinator (CPTC®): 12 months of work experience as a vascular organ procurement coordinator. Certified Clinical Transplant Coordinator (CCTC®): 12 months of clinical vascular organ work experience. Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse (CCTN®): 24 months of work experience as a registered nurse, including 12 months of direct involvement in the care of the solid organ transplant patient. Certified Transplant Preservationist (CTP®): 12 consecutive months of work experience in organ preservation (though organ preservation does not have to be a full-time work responsibility). Certified Transplant Financial Coordinator (CTFC): 12 months of work experience as a transplant financial coordinator or equivalent position.

How do I apply for the ABTC certification examination?

To apply for an exam, please visit the ABTC Examination page

Where do I take the certification examination?

PSI Exams, is the professional testing agency contracted by ABTC to assist in the development, administration, scoring, and analysis of the ABTC exams. All ABTC transplant certification candidates have access to PSI's nationwide network of nearly 200 secure testing locations. AMP has testing sites in the top 175 metropolitan service areas, as well as many rural areas, within a short drive. Learn more about our certification examinations.

Does ABTC offer any tools to help me assess my readiness for the certification exam?

As part of our commitment to helping candidates and certified professionals succeed, ABTC proudly offers online self-assessment exams (SAEs) for the CCTC®, CCTN®, CPTC®, and CTP® certification examinations. To provide a realistic exam experience and self-assessment, SAEs follow the same examination specifications as the actual certification exams, with the same distribution of questions at each cognitive level (recall, application, or analysis). Learn more about our Self-Assessment Exams.

I am dual-certified. How do I recertify both ABTC credentials?

Log into Certemy, ABTC’s certification management program.   If you are not receiving emails from Certemy, please reach out to info@abtc.net.  Your CEPTCs will need to be entered into both of your certifications.   Payment for dual recertification will be required in two separate transactions. The fee for each transaction will be $247.50, a total of $495. Please pay the $247.50 on each credential you are recertifying.​

Does ABTC offer continuing education programs?

ABTC actively supports your need for convenient, cost-effective access to continuing education credits for recertification. We connect you with the resources you need to maintain your certification and stay up-to-date on the latest methodologies and technologies in organ donation and transplantation. Learn more about continuing education opportunities for certified transplant professionals.

What is an ABTC Approved Provider of CEPTCs, and how can my organization become one?

The education and training you currently offer your staff can qualify for CEPTCs toward recertification if your organization becomes an "approved"  provider of continuing education. This is an opportunity to maintain your staff's certification at a fraction of the cost of sending staff off-site (and often out of town) to external symposia.

CTFC FAQs
 

What if my organization chooses to pay for the exam and application fees?

If your organization is submitting payment for the exam and application fees, the payment must be received before the application can be reviewed.

Where do I apply for the Certified Transplant Financial Coordinator (CTFC) exam?

You may complete an online electronic application by creating an account in Certemy. To create an account, follow the Apply for an ABTC certification exam link, and complete the required fields. A verification email will be forwarded to the email address you indicated. Click on the blue “COMPLETE REGISTRATION” button to begin the completion of your application.  If you do not receive the email, please check your spam or junk folder.  Please be prepared to complete and upload the Employer Attestation form.

When is the Certified Transplant Financial Coordinator (CTFC) exam offered?

Currently the CTFC exam is offered twice a year, spring and fall.  Visit the ABTC examination page for updates.

Where can I find more information on the Certified Transplant Financial Coordinator (CTFC) exam and its content?

The ABTC Candidate Handbook describes what is required of each candidate preparing to take the certification exam including valuable information about logistics, content, eligibility, and required procedures.

Where do I take the Certified Transplant Financial Coordinator (CTFC) exam?

PSI is the testing vendor for the ABTC certification exams.  After your application is approved, certification candidates have access to PSI's nationwide network of nearly 200 secure testing locations in the top 175 metropolitan service areas, as well as many rural areas, within a short drive.

What are the recertification requirements for a Certified Transplant Financial Coordinator (CTFC)?

ABTC is working with TFCA to administer the recertification process.  For those individuals currently TFC certified, certifications expiring will be extended through 12/31/2024.  Individual recertification records will be maintained on the Certemy platform.  The following structure has been determined for earning continuing education units, i.e. ABTC Continuing Education Points for Transplant Certification (CEPTCs):

Expiration year CEPTCs (CEUs) required for recertification
2024 15
2025 30
2026 45
2027 60

The certification will be valid for three years. You can maintain certification through continuing education activities or by successfully retaking the examination.

Is the Certified Transplant Financial Coordinator (CTFC) NCCA Accredited?

The CTFC is a professionally developed exam and is not currently NCCA accredited; however, ABTC is working towards NCCA accreditation in the future.