A Candidate or Certificant may submit an appeal of a Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy action or decision within 30 days. The specific kinds of appeals that may be considered are explained below. All appeals must be submitted in writing within 30 days:

• E-mail POCUS@inteleos.org with the subject line of “Appeal”

An Ineligibility Appeal may be submitted if an applicant/candidate was found to be ineligible to take or complete an examination and wishes to dispute this decision.

A Results Verification Appeal may be requested if a candidate has reason to believe that there may have been an error in their results due to technological concerns. Once received, staff will review the candidate results on the assessment(s) in question and determine if technology problems had an adverse impact.

Ineligibility and Results Verification Appeals are the only circumstances for which an appeal may be considered. Appeals will not be considered for: a) the inability to access the assessment(s) on any computer or tablet that meets the requirements as outlined in the Technology/System Requirements Policy; or b) an inability to complete the assessment(s) within the length of time provided as outlined in the Time to Complete the Assessment Policy.

To apply for a certificate or certification in the Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy, individuals must have a MY POCUS identification number. Log in to MY POCUS and navigate to the POCUS tab. When you apply, you will be directed to the Learning Management System for the full exam-specific application where they will be provided step-by-step directions to complete the application, attestations, verification of pre-requisites, and payment.

If an applicant does not have a MY POCUS identification number, a one-time registration process can be completed at MY POCUS prior to applying.

To ensure you have everything needed to complete the application, please review the Application overview first.

Up to 25% of the candidate applications for the Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy may be audited. If audited, documentation must be submitted within 30 days of request. Failure to submit requested documentation within 30 days of an audit notification will result in a failed audit. Candidates who have been awarded a certificate or certification and fail an audit will have their certificate or certification revoked. Candidates who are found to have submitted falsified or inaccurate information will also fail the audit and may be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the APCA Compliance Policies.

For identity verification, candidates must submit the following for the audit:

1. A copy of a non-expired government-issued photo identification with signature; the name on the identification must match the name under which the candidate applied for the Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy
   AND
2. A signed form or letter from employer/supervisor or medical director on letterhead stating that the candidate is currently employed in their respective scope of work

To verify that prerequisites have been satisfied, candidates must also submit the following:

1. A signed form or letter completed by employer/supervisor or medical director on letterhead attesting to the number of scans obtained or that the candidate has completed at least the minimum number of required scans
   AND
2. A signed form or letter completed by employer/supervisor or medical director on letterhead stating that the candidate is currently scanning patients (items 1 and 2 may be included in the same letter)

To verify that Peer Evaluators are healthcare providers and completed the evaluations independently, Peer Evaluators must submit the following for the audit:

1. A signed form or letter stating that they are healthcare providers and completed the questionnaire independently
   AND
2. A copy of non-expired government issued photo identification

Other documentation may be considered for those outside of North America who are unable to provide standard documentation. Such cases will be handled on an individual basis.

Requests for cancellations or refunds may be submitted until a candidate starts an assessment. Neither full nor partial refunds will be issued for any certificate or certification that has been started or for which the completion time has been exhausted. All refunds will be processed in the same form as the original payment within five (5) business days.

During the application process, candidates applying for the Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy certificate or certification will need to attest to the veracity of their information and that they understand ongoing expectations in their scope of practice.

In order to access the Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy assessments, candidates will also be required to complete a Confidentiality and Nondisclosure Agreement. Exam (assessment) information is confidential and is not to be shared with others. Candidates should test in a private location or take measures to ensure that others cannot view the assessment content.

The Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy uses email as its official form of communication. Applicants must supply a valid email address. Any updates to demographic information must be completed in MY POCUS.

Applicants should verify that the email in their MY POCUS account and in the application is valid and accurate. Applicants who work in organizations that have a high-security filter for email messages are strongly encouraged to use personal emails to receive communications from the Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy.

Examples of communication from the Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy include instructions, approval to test, receipts and exam confirmation notices. If an expected email is not received within 10 business days, candidates should look in their trash, spam or quarantine folders before contacting the Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy to investigate.

The Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy does not share examination results over the phone, by fax or via e-mail, nor does the Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy share results with anyone other than the candidate. Exam results will be made available on each candidate’s MY POCUS portal and within the Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy Learning Management System (LMS). Results will be displayed as a Pass, Fail, or In Progress. Any certificates earned will be provided electronically to be printed by the candidate.

Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy Fundamentals Assessment

Results for the Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy Fundamentals Assessment are issued electronically via the MY POCUS portal and the LMS within 24 hours of completing the assessment. Candidates who earn a passing score will be issued an electronic certificate which can be printed by the candidate from the LMS.

Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy Content-Specific Assessments

Results for the content-specific assessments are issued within 30 days of the final assessment component being completed. Results are issued electronically via the MY POCUS portal and the LMS. Candidates who earn a passing score on all required assessment components will be issued an electronic certificate/certification which can be printed by the candidate from the LMS. NOTE: During the first 120 days of a Clinical Case-Based Scenario Assessment, there is a possibility that scores may be re-evaluated. This could affect whether or not someone earns their certificate or certification.

Certificate and certification status may be verified through the Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy online resources which are available to the public.

The Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy functions under policies intended to demonstrate impartiality, high ethical standards and validity. The Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy does not restrict applicants based on limiting conditions, such as membership to an association or professional society. The Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy will not unfairly impede or inhibit access to the Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy certificates or certifications for applicants who meet stated policies regarding qualification requirements, renewal requirements, and/or passing the Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy psychometrically-sound assessments.

To earn a Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy content-specific certificate, all assessment components must be successfully completed, including the Peer Evaluation. Candidates will need to provide, via the application process, the names of a minimum of two healthcare providers that are able to evaluate their ability to obtain clinically-relevant ultrasound images.

Peer Evaluators must have a clinical background in ultrasound and be familiar with the candidate’s ability to obtain clinically-relevant, content-specific Point-of-Care Ultrasound images. These individuals will be contacted electronically by the Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy and asked to complete a questionnaire about the candidate’s clinical abilities. The first two Peer Evaluation questionnaires completed will determine if the Peer Evaluation assessment is Passed or Failed.

Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy Fundamentals Assessment

There are no prerequisites for the Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy Fundamentals review and assessment, although applicants will need to possess a MY POCUS identification number and complete application attestations as described in the Code of Conduct Policy.

Candidates are expected to be prepared for the Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy Fundamentals assessment through the completion of training or educational programs concerning foundational Point-of-Care Ultrasound knowledge. This education should help to ensure that candidates are appropriately prepared to take the summative Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy Fundamentals assessment.

Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy Content-Specific Assessments

In order to be eligible to take the content-specific assessments, candidates must possess an active Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy Fundamentals Certificate or have successfully completed the SPI Examination within the last five (5) years or hold a current APCA/ARDMS credential. They must also be actively scanning patients with pathology in the designated content area(s) and attest to performing and participating in the interpretation of a specified number of content-specific cases within the last two (2) years.

One or more content-specific certificates must be earned within three (3) years from the date that the Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy Fundamentals Certificate was obtained. After three (3) years, if a content-specific certificate has not been earned, candidates would have to reapply for the Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy Fundamentals certificate and start the process again. If a candidate has earned at least 1 (one) content-specific certificate and appropriately maintains their certificate, the 3 (three) year time limit would not apply and they would not have to reapply for or retake the Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy Fundamentals assessment for subsequent content-specific certificates.

Candidates applying for specialty certifications must satisfy the requirements for each relevant content area represented within their certification.

Assessments	Prerequisite
Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy Fundamentals Assessment	None
Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy Content-Specific Assessments (Scenario and Practical exams)	Current Point-of-Care Ultrasound Fundamentals Certificate or recognized equivalent Actively scanning patients in the selected content area Performing and participating in the interpretation of the specified number of cases per content area within the last two (2) years
Content Area	Specified number of cases (perform and participate in the interpretation of Point-of-Care Ultrasounds within the last two (2) years):
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)	15 cases
Abdominal Trauma	20 cases
Cardiac	30 cases
Gastrointestinal	25 cases
Hepatobiliary/Spleen	25 cases
Lower Extremity Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)	20 cases
Lung	20 cases
Musculoskeletal (MSK) Soft Tissue	20 cases
Obstetrics/First Trimester	25 cases (a combination of transvaginal and transabdominal)
Renal/Genitourinary	20 cases
*Additional content areas will be added as new content is developed.

Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy Fundamentals Certificate

The Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy Fundamentals Certificate will not expire and will remain valid for those who successfully complete all components.

Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy Content-Specific Certificates and Certifications

The Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy content-specific certificates and certifications will be valid for a period of five (5) years and can be renewed. Certificates and certifications are to be renewed five (5) years from the date on which the certificate or certification was earned or, if a Level of Recognition was achieved, five (5) years from the date on which the most recent Level of Recognition was awarded.

Renewal for each content-specific certificate or certification will be accomplished through one of the following:

1. The completion of a recertification assessment consisting of one content-related clinical case scenario for each content area recognized
   OR
2. The submission and acceptance of one content-related clinical case for each content area recognized

Additionally, each Certificant will have to reaffirm their Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy attestations as explained in the Code of Conduct Policy and confirm current practice in each content area.

If desired, a Certificant may start the renewal process early, at year three (3) of five (5). The renewal anniversary will not change if a certificate holder chooses to complete the requirements early.

Candidates wishing to retake an assessment must complete a retake application and remit a retake fee. Once the maximum number of attempts are exhausted, a one-year waiting period will be required before candidates may reapply. Candidates not able to complete their assessments in the original time frame allowed should request a time extension (please see the Time to Complete Policy).

Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy Fundamentals Certificate

Candidates may attempt the Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy Fundamentals Certificate assessment a maximum of three (3) times. A 30-day waiting period will apply after each attempt. Once the maximum number of attempts are exhausted, a one-year waiting period will be required before the candidate may reapply.

Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy Content-Specific Certificates

Candidates may attempt the Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy Content-Specific Certificate assessments a maximum of two (2) times. A 30-day waiting period will apply after each attempt. Once the maximum number of attempts are exhausted, a one-year waiting period will be required before the candidate may reapply.

• Retake applications must be submitted within 90 days of a failed assessment.
• Any initial passing scores, if applicable, will be retained for the first retake application, allowing candidates to only retake the failed assessment.

To access the Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy content, a computer (Mac or PC) or tablet (Android or iPad) with a common browser will be required. Headphones or speakers are recommended, and a reliable internet connection is necessary.

Technical Specifications
Operating System	Windows 10 Windows 8.1 (32-bit and 64-bit) Windows 7 SP1 (32-bit and 64-bit) Mac OSX 10.10 or newer
Display	Minimum resolution: 1024 x 768 in 16-bit color
Network Connection	The Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy suggests that, whenever possible, exams are completed using a wired network. Wired networks typically provide more reliable exam delivery performance than wireless networks.
Internet Connection	Broadband (DSL, cable or LAN/WAN): 512 kbps up/down
Internet Browsers	Internet Explorer 9+ (preferred), latest versions of Microsoft Edge, Chrome, Firefox, or Safari
Browser Settings	Internet cookies must be enabled. All pop-up blockers must be disabled.
Sound	Headphones or speakers, if in a private location, are acceptable. Note: Closed captioning is also provided.
Testing Environment	A quiet test taking environment is recommended. Exams include audio and video components. Appropriate lighting and minimal distractions will improve the experience.

Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy Fundamentals Certificate Assessment

After applying for a Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy Fundamentals Certificate, candidates will have 30 (thirty) days to complete their assessment. Although the assessment must be completed within 30 (thirty) days, it does not have to be completed in one sitting.

Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy Content-Specific Certificate Assessments

After applying for a Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy specific content certificate, candidates will have 90 (ninety) days to complete all assessment components, including the applicable Scenario Assessment(s) and the Peer Evaluation(s). Candidates will be able to track their Peer Evaluation progress and are responsible for ensuring that the questionnaires are completed within the 90 (ninety) day timeframe.

Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy Specialty Certification Assessments

After applying for a Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy specialty certification, candidates will have 180 days to complete both the applicable Scenario Assessment(s) and the Practical Componenet with peer evaluations and video submissions. Candidates will be able to track the Practical Component progress and are responsible for ensuring that the questionnaires are completed within the 180-day timeframe.