The ECNU Program is comprised of the following steps. Please note that all candidates must satisfy both Step 1 and Step 2 in order to receive the ECNU designation.

STEP 1: Comprehensive Certification Examination (CCE)

The CCE is a multiple choice, computer-based examination consisting of 100 questions. The examination will be administered at Prometric™ sites located throughout the United States. Candidates are given two (2) hours to complete the examination. For more information on Prometric™, please go to www.prometric.com.

The CCE will cover the following major topic areas:

1. Principles of Ultrasound Imaging – 15%
2. Neck Anatomy – 15%
3. Thyroid Pathology – 34%
4. Parathyroid Pathology – 10%
5. Lymph Node Pathology – 10%
6. Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration (UGFNA) – 16%

STEP 2: Validation of Competency Process (VCP)

The Validation of Competency Process assesses the physician’s demonstrated competency, activity, and level of skills to interpret and report complete diagnostic ultrasound examinations (either performed by a supervised certified ultrasound technologist or personally by the physician), and to perform and report UGFNA procedures.

The VCP requires submission of a total of fifteen (15) ultrasound (US) studies and reports, and must be submitted in accordance to the VCP Instructions for Ultrasound Procedure Reports.

Refer to the Validation of Competency Process (VCP) section of the Candidate Handbook for detailed requirements and instructions regarding the validation process.

STEP 3: ECNU Program Completion (Issuance of ECNU Certificate and ECNU Designation)

Endocrine Certification in Neck Ultrasound (ECNU) is a professional designation awarded to individuals who meet specified knowledge requirements, measured through a standardized examination and validation of competency process in diagnostic ultrasound and ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (UGFNA).

• Upon successfully completing the VCP, the candidate will have earned the right to use the ECNU designation after his/her name.
• A formal letter and ECNU Certificate will be sent to candidates who have successfully completed the ECNU Program.
• Certification is valid for 10 years.

The ECNU Program is open to both AACE and non-AACE members. The ACE Neck Ultrasound Certification Council has established the eligibility criteria to qualify for the ECNU Program. Please read the Candidate Handbook (page 5) to find out if you are eligible to apply for the ECNU Program.

CERTIFICATION FEES

Candidates who wish to obtain ECNU designation must complete the certification program and pay the fees for both the CCE and the VCP. The fee structure for the ECNU Program is as follows:

CATEGORY	CCE	VCP	TOTAL
AACE Member	$300	$900	$1,200
Non-AACE Member	$500	$1,000	$1,500
*Fellows/Residents	$200	$800	$1,000

IMPORTANT NOTE Fees for CCE and VCP will be collected separately. The candidate’s first payment will be for the CCE, and this must be submitted with the candidate’s ECNU Program Application. Candidates should not pay for the VCP fee until they receive official written notification from ACE that they passed the CCE.

The ECNU Program Application form can be downloaded from the AACE website. Applications can be submitted to ACE either online or by postal mail, depending on your preference.

1. Paper Application

You can download the paper application from the AACE website: http://www.aace.com/college/pdfs/ECNUApplicationForm.pdf. For your reference, all forms are also included in the Candidate Handbook.

Paper applicants must include their payment with the application, and may use a credit card or personal check as form of payment. Please make checks payable to the American College of Endocrinology (ACE). Checks must be in U.S. dollars and drawn on a U.S. bank.

An application cannot be processed until all fees are paid in full. For a detailed fee structure, see the payment section of the application.

2. Online Application

To access the online application, please go to http://www.aace.com/college/ECNU/ecnu_application.php. Online applicants must provide a valid (working) e-mail address that is capable of receiving e-mail from ACE.

Proceed through each screen of the application, carefully following the on-screen instructions and providing the information required. Applicants must complete all sections of the online application. Incomplete applications will not be processed.

Download and Print versions:

• ECNU Application
• STA Request
• VCP Form
• 2008 Candidate Handbook