The Associate of the American College of Cardiology (AACC) is a professional designation that was created by the College to recognize cardiovascular team members who, through advanced training, professional development and service to the ACC, have proven their commitment to providing quality cardiovascular care.

The American College of Cardiology worked with a select group of cardiovascular team member volunteers and the ACC’s Credentialing and Member Services Subcommittee to develop the designation. The criteria for the AACC designation were approved by the ACC’s Board of Trustees.

The criteria for Cardiovascular Team members to apply for Associate of the American College of Cardiology (AACC) are as follows:

1. State Licensure
2. Nationally recognized board certification
3. Majority of professional activities must be devoted to the field of cardiovascular disease.
4. Two (2) Letters of Recommendation. Letters must be from FACC or AACC members that are well acquainted with the applicant’s current professional activities. Relatives may not sponsor applicants.
5. Employed in a practice that is primarily cardiovascular focused – at least 75%.
6. Commitment to CV practice for five years or more.

Selection of the AACC-approved national board certifications was based on the amount of cardiology-specific content on the board examination. An effort was made to include the most common board certifications for cardiac care team members.

The following credentialing bodies are deemed acceptable for AACC. Each of the following bodies provides board examinations that are nationally recognized:

• Accreditation Council for Clinical Lipidology
• American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
• American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
• Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties
• National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants
• Heart Rhythm Society (formerly NASPE)
• Pediatric Nursing Certification Board
• American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work
• American Board of Genetic Counseling
• American Board of Professional Psychology
• American College of Clinical Pharmacy
• American College of Sports Medicine
• American Nurses Credentialing Center
• American Occupational Therapy Association
• Commission on Dietetic Registration

Yes. While the national board certifications selected and approved by the College are among the most common for care team members, other national board certifications will be considered on a case by case basis by the CV Team Section Membership Committee.

No. Applicants should request letters of recommendation from AACC or FACC members of the College that are well acquainted with the applicant's professional activities. The letters should be originally written, on the sponsor's business letterhead and highlight the applicant's professional accomplishments and why the applicant should advance to AACC.

For current members, the fee to apply for advancement is $25 for application processing. For new members, the fee is $133 for annual dues, plus a $25 for application processing.