RPhS exam guide
About the Registered Phlebology Sonographer (RPhS) exam
The CCI Registered Phlebology Sonographer examination is designed for professionals working in venous ultrasound and phlebology. Use this short diagnostic to identify gaps in venous and lymphatic assessment, duplex technique, hemodynamics, patient diagnosis, conservative therapy, venous intervention, safety, and treatment follow-up, then organize further study around the official examination matrix.
MedPorium is an independent education platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI). Exam details can change; confirm them with the official source before applying.
RPhS exam format at a glance
- Questions
- 170
- 150 scored; 20 unscored
- Time
- 3 hours (2 hours 50 minutes for questions, plus 10 minutes for the tutorial and survey)
- Delivery
- Computer-based through Pearson; year-round currently, transitioning to February and August testing windows effective February 1, 2027
Knowledge to review for the RPhS exam
These foundations support the practical tasks in the official examination matrix.
Venous and lymphatic foundations
- General and cardiovascular anatomy and physiology, venous anatomy, pathophysiology, and vascular hemodynamics
- Venous disease progression, vascular anomalies and variants, lymphatic disease, lymphedema, and lipedema
- History and physical assessment, vascular signs and symptoms, risk factors, CEAP classification, pharmacology, and BLS
Ultrasound and diagnostic assessment
- Ultrasound physics, instrumentation, B-mode, color Doppler, and spectral Doppler optimization
- Abdominopelvic, lower-extremity, and upper-extremity venous duplex examinations
- Correlation with CT, MR, plethysmography, other imaging modalities, clinical findings, and treatment history
Treatment, safety, and professional practice
- Compression, medications, risk-factor modification, physical therapy, sclerotherapy, thermal ablation, phlebectomy, and open surgery
- Pre- and post-treatment assessment, informed consent, discharge education, outcome measures, and treatment complications
- OSHA, HIPAA, ethics, records, infection control, sterile technique, ergonomics, patient safety, and quality improvement
RPhS examination matrix
The percentages below are the approximate exam-score weights published by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI). Use them to allocate study time, then adjust for your own weak areas.
7%
Maintain Information, Facility, and Safety
Protect patients, staff, information, and examination quality through correct identification, infection control, emergency readiness, equipment care, ergonomics, and continuous improvement.
- Collect patient identifiers and secure and archive patient information
- Use universal precautions and sterile techniques and implement emergency protocols
- Inspect electromechanical equipment and perform preventive maintenance
- Optimize the workspace and ergonomics and support quality-improvement standards
25%
Patient Diagnosis
Integrate history, examination findings, treatment status, comorbidities, medications, and patient data to support appropriate diagnostic and treatment planning.
- Triage patient status and obtain a comprehensive medical and social history
- Perform a pertinent physical examination and review post-treatment status
- Establish differential diagnoses that account for comorbidities and medications
- Analyze patient data and assist in formulating diagnostic and treatment plans
38%
Performance of Diagnostic Testing
The largest domain tests selection, optimization, performance, documentation, and communication across abdominopelvic and extremity venous duplex examinations.
- Confirm the study indication and position the patient appropriately
- Select the equipment and transducer and optimize imaging and Doppler settings
- Perform abdominopelvic, lower-extremity, and upper-extremity venous duplex studies
- Document examination findings and communicate unusual or abnormal results
10%
Conservative Treatment/Therapy of Patients
Understand conservative management of venous and lymphatic disease, including compression, medication, lifestyle measures, and therapy for lymphedema and lipedema.
- Apply knowledge of compression therapies
- Apply knowledge of conservative and pharmaceutical treatments
- Apply knowledge of lymphedema and lipedema treatment
20%
Minimally Invasive and Invasive Treatment of Patients
Support superficial, deep, abdominopelvic, catheter-directed, ultrasound-guided, and open venous procedures from consent and pre-assessment through follow-up and discharge.
- Assist with phlebectomy, ablation, ligation, and ultrasound-guided procedures and understand visual sclerotherapy
- Confirm signed informed consent
- Evaluate patients before and after abdominopelvic, deep, superficial, and open venous procedures
- Provide discharge instructions and use patient- or physician-reported outcome measures
How to use this RPhS diagnostic
The 15 questions emphasize diagnostic testing and patient diagnosis because those domains account for 63% of the official matrix. This is a short baseline rather than a pass prediction. Review every rationale, classify each gap as anatomy, hemodynamics, acquisition, optimization, clinical assessment, treatment, or safety, and follow with larger mixed sets that connect duplex findings with the patient's presentation and treatment stage.
High-yield RPhS study priorities
Priority 1
Make venous duplex technique the practical core
Diagnostic testing represents 38% of the matrix. Practise selecting the patient position, transducer, frequency, compression sequence, Doppler maneuver, scale, wall filter, gain, and alternate window needed for abdominal, pelvic, upper-extremity, and lower-extremity questions.
Priority 2
Build diagnosis from the whole clinical pattern
Patient diagnosis accounts for 25%. Connect symptoms, examination findings, risk factors, CEAP class, prior procedures, medications, and duplex data rather than treating one waveform or visible vein as the diagnosis.
Priority 3
Study intervention as a before-during-after pathway
For the 20% invasive-treatment domain, know consent and baseline checks, ultrasound guidance, procedural anatomy, expected post-treatment findings, surveillance needs, outcome measures, discharge instructions, and complications requiring prompt escalation.
Priority 4
Differentiate conservative therapies by patient need
Compare compression type and pressure, exercise and physical therapy, risk-factor modification, pharmaceutical therapy, and management of lymphedema or lipedema. Focus on indications, contraindications, response assessment, and adherence barriers.
RPhS exam FAQ
How many questions are on the CCI RPhS exam?
CCI currently lists 170 questions: 150 scored questions and 20 unscored questions that are not identified during the examination.
How long is the RPhS exam?
The exam appointment is three hours. CCI allocates 2 hours 50 minutes to answer questions and 10 minutes to the tutorial and post-exam survey.
What is the largest RPhS exam domain?
Performance of Diagnostic Testing is the largest domain at approximately 38% of the exam, followed by Patient Diagnosis at 25%.
When can the RPhS exam be taken?
CCI currently describes year-round computer-based testing, but has announced that RPhS will transition to testing windows in February and August each year beginning February 1, 2027. Candidates should check their Authorization to Test and the current CCI schedule before booking.
Does RPhS cover venous treatment as well as diagnostic ultrasound?
Yes. In addition to patient diagnosis and venous duplex testing, the matrix covers compression and pharmaceutical therapy, lymphedema and lipedema care, sclerotherapy, superficial and deep venous intervention, open procedures, follow-up, discharge education, and treatment complications.
Does this diagnostic predict whether I will pass?
No. A 15-question diagnostic is a low-confidence baseline, not a validated pass prediction. Use it to identify review priorities and confirm current requirements with CCI.
Is MedPorium affiliated with CCI?
No. MedPorium is an independent education platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cardiovascular Credentialing International.
Review and official source
Clinical reviewer: D. E. Baker
Exam format and matrix information were checked against the CCI Registered Phlebology Sonographer credential page. Source reviewed October 10, 2026.
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