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CMC Certification: The Cardiac Medicine Subspecialty

How cardiac ICU and cath-lab nurses stack the CMC on top of a CCRN or PCCN — updated for the revised Nov 2026 exam

What the CMC Is

The CMC (Cardiac Medicine Certification) is an AACN subspecialty credential for nurses caring for acutely or critically ill adult cardiac medicine patients — think CCU, cardiac ICU, cath lab recovery, heart failure, and post-MI populations. It attaches to an existing accredited specialty certification (your CCRN or PCCN) and expires if that underlying certification lapses.

Timing alert: AACN launches revised CMC and CSC exams on November 19, 2026, based on a 2025 study of practice. If you're mid-prep, confirm which test plan version your exam date falls under.

Eligibility

RequirementDetail
LicenseCurrent, unencumbered U.S. RN or APRN
Underlying certificationActive, nationally accredited clinical specialty cert (CCRN, PCCN, etc.)
Hours — 2-year option1,750 hrs in 2 years (875 in the most recent year), with 875 of those caring for acutely/critically ill adult cardiac patients
Hours — 5-year option2,000 hrs in 5 years (144 recent), with 1,000 in the cardiac population
VerificationA supervisor/colleague contact for potential practice-hour audit

The Exam

90 questions, clinical-judgment focused, built on the AACN Synergy Model — delivered at PSI testing centers or via live remote proctoring. Content leans heavily on cardiac pathophysiology you already live daily: ACS and post-MI complications, heart failure and cardiogenic shock, arrhythmias and devices, valvular disease, and cardiac pharmacology. Our ACS, arrhythmia, and mechanical circulatory support topic guides map directly to CMC content.

Renewal

Why Stack It

The CMC signals cardiac depth for CVICU/CCU roles, earns clinical-ladder points, and at some facilities carries its own differential on top of your CCRN's. If your patients are primarily surgical hearts (first 48h post-op), look at the CSC instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between CMC and CSC?
Both are AACN cardiac subspecialty credentials. The CMC covers cardiac medicine patients (CCU, heart failure, post-MI, cath lab), while the CSC covers cardiac surgery patients in the first 48 hours after surgery (CVICU post-op). Choose based on where your hours are earned.
Can I get the CMC without a CCRN?
You need an active, nationally accredited clinical nursing specialty certification — most commonly the CCRN or PCCN. The CMC attaches to it and expires if the underlying certification lapses.
How many questions is the CMC exam?
90 questions, focused on clinical judgment using the AACN Synergy Model, taken at PSI testing centers or via live remote proctoring. A revised exam launches November 19, 2026.
How do I renew the CMC?
Maintain your underlying specialty certification, complete 432 direct-care hours with cardiac patients across the 3-year cycle (144 in the final year), and earn 25 Category A Clinical Judgment CERPs in cardiology.

Related Guides

CSC CertificationIs CCRN Worth It?CCRN RequirementsComplete CCRN Guide

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