VA-BC Certification: Complete Guide to Vascular Access Board Certification

The VA-BC (Vascular Access Board Certified) credential is the premier certification for vascular access specialty nurses and clinicians in the United States. Administered by the Certification Board of Vascular Nursing (CBVN), a certification body established by the Association for Vascular Access (AVAR/AVA), the VA-BC certification validates advanced knowledge and competence in vascular access practice across the full spectrum of devices, patient populations, and care settings.

Parent guide: Vascular Access Credentialing: Complete Reference

What Is the VA-BC?

The VA-BC is a specialty practice certification — not a licensure examination — that validates that a nurse or clinician has demonstrated knowledge above the generalist level in vascular access practice. It is the recognized credential for:

Vascular access team (VAT) nurses
IV therapy specialty nurses
Clinicians who perform or manage PICC insertion and CVAD care as a primary or significant part of their practice
Clinicians seeking to formalize and credential their vascular access expertise

The VA-BC is not required to insert PICCs or manage CVADs in most institutional settings (institutional credentialing and privileging determines that). However, it is increasingly expected in VAT leadership roles and is used in institutional privileging processes as evidence of validated expertise.

Administering Organization: CBVN/AVAR

AVAR (Association for Vascular Access): The professional membership organization for vascular access clinicians in the United States. Formerly known as NAVAN (National Association of Vascular Access Networks). AVAR publishes position statements, supports research, and provides educational resources for vascular access clinicians.

CBVN (Certification Board of Vascular Nursing): The independent certification body established by AVAR. Administers the VA-BC examination, sets eligibility criteria, and manages recertification.

Website: avar.org / cbvn.net (confirm current URLs at time of application)

VA-BC Eligibility Requirements

As of the most recent CBVN published criteria:

Current valid nursing license (RN): A current, active RN license in the United States is required.

Clinical experience in vascular access:

Minimum 1,500 hours of vascular access clinical experience in the past 3 years
The 1,500 hours must be in vascular access clinical practice — not exclusively administrative or educational roles

What counts toward 1,500 hours:

Bedside vascular access practice (PICC insertion, catheter management, IV therapy)
VAT clinical role
Vascular access program coordination with direct clinical component
Home infusion nursing with significant vascular access practice

What does NOT count:

General nursing hours without a vascular access focus
Administrative hours without direct clinical care
Educational hours without clinical component

Verification: The eligibility attestation requires a signed verification from a supervisor or manager confirming the hours claimed.

VA-BC Exam Content Blueprint

The CBVN publishes a content outline (blueprint) for the VA-BC exam. The exam tests knowledge across the full vascular access scope of practice. Major content domains (approximate weightings vary by exam version — verify with current CBVN blueprint):

Domain 1: Device Selection and Insertion

Evidence-based device selection (INS 2021, MAGIC criteria)
Vessel health and preservation
Patient assessment for vascular access
Insertion techniques (PIV, midline, PICC)
Ultrasound-guided access
Tip location standards (CEVAD)
Informed consent

Domain 2: Catheter Care and Maintenance

Dressing and securement
Flushing and locking (SASH protocol)
Administration set management
Needleless connectors
Blood sampling through CVADs
Patient education

Domain 3: Infection Prevention

CLABSI insertion and maintenance bundles
Hand hygiene and ANTT
CHG antisepsis
Surveillance and reporting

Domain 4: Complication Recognition and Management

DVT and thrombosis
Occlusion and alteplase
Phlebitis (VIP scale)
Infiltration and extravasation (INS staging, vesicant antidotes)
Air embolism
Catheter malposition
MARSI

Domain 5: Infusion Therapy Safety

Osmolarity and pH thresholds
Vesicant classification
Filtration requirements
High-alert medications
Drug compatibility

Domain 6: Special Populations

Pediatrics and neonates
Oncology
Renal/dialysis patients
Critical care

Domain 7: Professional Practice

Scope of practice and credentialing
Documentation requirements
Quality improvement
Evidence-based practice
Regulatory framework (INS, CDC, TJC, CMS)

Exam Format

Format: Computer-based, multiple choice
Number of questions: 150 items (some may be pretest/non-scored items; scored items are approximately 125)
Time: 3.5 hours
Testing locations: Pearson VUE testing centers nationally, and remote proctored online option
Passing score: Determined by CBVN via modified Angoff standard-setting process; pass/fail threshold is not a fixed percentage (typically approximately 70–75% of scored items)
Results: Pass/fail results provided immediately at testing center; official certificate mailed within 2–4 weeks

Application Process

Review current CBVN eligibility criteria at cbvn.net
Complete online application; gather supporting documents:
- Copy of current nursing license
- Supervisor verification of 1,500+ clinical hours
Pay application and exam fee (fees subject to change; AVAR members may receive discounted rate)
Receive Authorization to Test (ATT) from Pearson VUE
Schedule exam at Pearson VUE center or online
Take exam; receive immediate pass/fail result

Exam Preparation Strategies

Review Resources

INS Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice (2021): The VA-BC exam is heavily grounded in INS Standards — this is the primary study reference. If you have not read the INS Standards cover-to-cover, do so.

INS Core Curriculum for Infusion Nursing: Published by INS; companion textbook to the Standards. Extensive reference text for exam preparation.

AVAR VA-BC Study Guide: Available through AVAR; specifically aligned with CBVN content blueprint.

Flashcards and practice questions: Several commercial VA-BC question banks exist (verify they align with current exam blueprint).

Study Approach

Study from the CBVN content outline — ensure you have studied material in every domain
Focus on INS Standards citation numbers (e.g., Standard 22: Tip Location; Standard 40: Dressing; Standard 42: Flushing) — questions frequently reference specific standards
Memorize key clinical numbers: osmolarity thresholds (600, 900 mOsm/L), dressing change intervals, alteplase dose (2 mg/2 mL), DIVA score criteria, INS phlebitis VIP scale grades
Practice applying clinical scenarios to decision frameworks (VHP, MAGIC, osmolarity algorithm)

Recertification Requirements

VA-BC certification is valid for 3 years.

To recertify:

Option 1 (CE pathway): Complete 40 hours of vascular access-specific continuing education during the 3-year certification period, plus maintain active RN licensure and employment in vascular access clinical practice
Option 2 (re-examination): Retake and pass the VA-BC exam

Practice hours requirement: 1,500 hours of vascular access clinical practice must still be verifiable during the 3-year period.

Related guides:

Related policies:

References

CBVN. (2024). VA-BC Certification Candidate Handbook. Retrieved from cbvn.net.
Gorski LA, et al. (2021). INS Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice (Standard 13: Competency). J Infus Nurs, 44(Suppl 1).
AVAR. (2023). Vascular Access Position Statements. Retrieved from avar.org.