FHRS Application Process

Eligibility

To be considered for Fellowship in the Heart Rhythm Society as an electrophysiologist certified by ABIM or AOBIM in CCEP, you must:

• Hold current membership with the Heart Rhythm Society as a Physician member.
• Hold initial or current ABIM or AOBIM certification in CCEP.

Eligibility

Note: Electrophysiologists who trained in Canada may apply using the ABIM/AOBIM-certified Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiologist criteria if those criteria are met.

To meet the criteria for Fellowship in the Heart Rhythm Society as an electrophysiologist (EP) trained outside the United States, you must:

1. Hold current membership with the Heart Rhythm Society as a Physician member.
2. Have performed a minimum of 150 intracardiac, catheter-based ablation procedures or device-related procedures during training and/or in the first two years after completion of training, or in the previous three years of practice.
3. Have completed training and practiced EP/pacing for at least two years after completion of training
4. Demonstrate EITHER:
   • Certification in EP/Pacing by ABIM, IBHRE, EHRA or equivalent organizations OR
   • At least 75 percent of clinical practice devoted to heart rhythm disorders PLUS one of the following:
     • Have performed a minimum of 300 intracardiac, catheter-based ablation procedures or device-related procedures during training and/or in the first two years after completion of training, or in the previous three years of practice.
     • Have authored at least 10 publications, including 5 as first author.
     • Have served at least one term as a volunteer on an HRS or IBHRE committee, sub-committee or writing group.

To meet the criteria for Fellowship in the Heart Rhythm Society as an Allied Health Professional, you must*:

1. Hold current membership with the Heart Rhythm Society as an Allied Professional member.
2. Hold current IBHRE certification.
3. Devote at least 75 percent of your clinical practice to heart rhythm disorders.
4. Demonstrate ONE of the following:
   • Advanced degree (Master's level or higher) in a related field OR
   • More than one IBHRE certification OR
   • At least one term of service on an HRS/IBHRE Committee or Subcommittee

To meet the criteria for Fellowship in the Heart Rhythm Society as a Scientist or Physician Researcher, you must:

1. Hold current membership with the Heart Rhythm Society as EITHER a:
   • Scientist member OR
   • Physician member who now functions mainly as a researcher with a small amount of clinical activity and either
     • is not eligible for ABIM CCEP status or
     • did complete an EP fellowship but did not achieve ABIM CCEP status.

Note: If you completed an EP fellowship but did not achieve ABIM CCEP status, you can apply for physician FHRS status using the scientist criteria below, provided that you completely fulfill all other requirements and standards associated with a scientist applying for FHRS status.

2. Have a PhD, MD or equivalent.
3. Hold a full-time faculty position at an academic institution with an equivalent rank of assistant professor or higher.
4. Devote at least 50 percent of your professional activity to heart rhythm research.
5. Show independent capability as a scientist, demonstrated by one of the following:
   • Five or more publications on heart rhythm disorders, of which at least one is as the primary or senior author
   • Functioning as a PI on a funded extramural grant from government agency or professional organization intended for independent investigators.

Pediatric electrophysiologists (EPs) who trained outside of the United States may also apply using the criteria for Electrophysiologists Trained Outside the United States.

To meet the criteria for Fellowship in the Heart Rhythm Society as a Pediatric EP, you must:

• Hold current membership with the Heart Rhythm Society as a Physician member.
• Hold current certification in Pediatric Cardiology.
• Have had at least 12 months of training in a Pediatric EP fellowship or have begun Pediatric EP practice prior to January 1, 2000.
• Hold current IBHRE certification.
• Devote at least 75 percent of your clinical practice to the treatment of heart rhythm disorders.

Eligibility

To meet the criteria for Fellowship in the Heart Rhythm Society as a Cardiac Surgeon, you must:

• Hold current membership with the Heart Rhythm Society as a Physician.
• Have completed two years of practice after training in the same hospital.
• Have conducted 100 ablation procedures or CIED-related procedures:
  • in training and/or the first two years after training, or
  • in the previous three years of practice.
• Fulfill one of the following:
  • Currently devotes 20 percent of clinical practice to heart rhythm disorders, or
  • Currently performs at least 50 ablative or CIED-related procedures per year.
• Meet one of the following:
  • Authored five papers published in a peer-reviewed journal with at least one heart rhythm or CIED related paper.
  • Served at least one term on an HRS or IBHRE committee, subcommittee, or writing group, has been an invited speaker at the HRS annual meeting, or presented an abstract or poster at the HRS Scientific Sessions.
• Hold certification by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery, International Board of Heart Rhythm Examiners, or equivalent certification in the country where currently practicing.