FHRS FAQ

Have a question about FHRS membership? Please view the frequently asked questions below.

General Questions

What is FHRS?

Fellow of the Heart Rhythm Society (FHRS) status recognizes members for their advanced training, certification, and commitment to the research and treatment of heart rhythm disorders.

Where can I find a list of current FHRS members?

View our list of ;current FHRS members.

If you are applying for FHRS and need contact information for your sponsors, one option is to search the Member Directory ;(available to members only; login required).

Why become FHRS?

FHRS will help to distinguish you among health care providers and researchers for your advanced training, certification, and commitment to the field of electrophysiology. It will clarify the referral process and serve as a credential for quality care among health care providers, patients, the media, and government. As a result, it will help you to publicize your skill in the treatment and/or research of heart rhythm disorders.

What are the benefits of FHRS membership?

In addition to the ;HRS member benefits, FHRS members also receive:

Fellow lapel pin
Mounted certificate of Fellow recognition
VIP registration and housing invitation to the annual Scientific Sessions
Induction and recognition at a special event during the Annual Scientific Sessions
Special badge recognition at HRS programs
Special recognition on the Fellows page of the HRS website
Entitlement to use the designation of Fellow of the Heart Rhythm Society (FHRS), reflecting your training, certification, and commitment to the field of electrophysiology

FHRS Application Criteria

Who can apply for FHRS? What are the criteria?

All members may apply for FHRS. Application criteria are based on member type. Below are criteria that have been defined for particular career pathways. However, this is not meant to exclude those who do not match one of these pathways. Please contact membership@HRSonline.org if you have any questions about how to apply if you do not meet the criteria below.

Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiologists certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine or American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM/AOBIM CCEP)
International Electrophysiologists (EPs who practice outside of the United States)
Pediatric Electrophysiologists
Cardiac Surgeons
Scientists and Physician Researchers
Allied Health Professionals

If you are not an HRS member, you must first apply for general membership. Learn more and apply for HRS membership.

I am an electrophysiologist who trained in Canada but I have ABIM/AOBIM certification in Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology. Which criteria should I use?

You may apply using either the criteria for physicians certified by ABIM/AOBIM in CCEP or those for international electrophysiologists, if you meet the requirements therein.

I am a pediatric electrophysiologist who practices outside of the United States. Which criteria should I use?

You may apply using either the criteria for pediatric electrophysiologists or those for international electrophysiologists.

I am a U.S. physician but am not certified by ABIM/AOBIM in Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology. Which criteria should I use?

You may be eligible to apply using either the criteria for scientists and physician researchers or those for pediatric electrophysiologists.

Can I apply at any time of the year?

Applications can be submitted throughout the year and may be approved at any time. However, there is a deadline prior to each annual induction ceremony. Your completed application (including letters of support) must be received by HRS no later than March 31 in order to be considered for inclusion at the induction at the next Scientific Sessions.

May new FHRS members write sponsorship letters?

Yes. Once accepted, all current FHRS members are permitted to write letters of support for applicants even if the supporter has yet to be formally inducted as FHRS. Acceptance begins once the FHRS member receives their acceptance notification letter, rather than during the induction ceremony.

Where should sponsorship letters be sent? What should be included? Should they be mailed with the application or separately?

As part of the application process, prospective FHRS members must submit two letters of support from current Fellows. ; Please send letters:

by mail to Heart Rhythm Society
ATTN: FHRS Application P.O. Box 712 Annapolis Junction, MD 20701 USA
by fax to +1-240-241-5476 ;or
by email to membership@HRSonline.org

A supporter may choose to give the letter to the applicant for submission with the application or send it directly to HRS using the contact information above. Letters may be personally addressed to the current Member Relations Committee Chair or generally to the Member Relations Committee.

Please note that HRS will not contact supporters on behalf of FHRS applicants for the purpose of requesting a support letter or inquiring about the status of a letter. In the interest of promoting individual assessments of the character and professional accomplishments of each applicant, HRS does not provide template letters for Fellows who wish to submit letters of support.

However, we encourage Fellows to add information regarding how long and in what capacity she/he has known the applicant as well as a brief assessment of the applicant's professional character, the integrity of his/her work, and any accomplishments of which the supporter is aware and on which he/she wishes to report.

What is IBHRE certification?

The International Board of Heart Rhythm Examiners (IBHRE) represents a standard of excellence for cardiac arrhythmia professionals, and its exam is recognized globally as one of the highest benchmarks of professional competency in cardiac pacing, defibrillation, and electrophysiology.

More than 7,000 individuals have taken the IBHRE exams and earned certification by demonstrating their specific competence in cardiac rhythm device therapy and cardiac electrophysiology. Exams are offered for both physicians and allied health professionals. Visit www.IBHRE.org for more information.

After I submit my application, when will I receive updates about its progress?

Once your application is submitted, please allow up to five business days for HRS to process and log your application.

After it has been logged, you will receive an email from our Membership Department notifying you that either your application is complete or incomplete.

If you do not receive an email, it is your responsibility to follow up with the Membership Department to make certain that your application was received.

If you receive a notice that your application has been received but is incomplete, you will be directed to a secure web page which lists the application materials that are missing from your file. This page may be located by logging in to My HRS and clicking the "FHRS Application Status" link. The link will only appear once an application file has been started in your name.

Due to the volume of applications and supporting letters, we request that you use this page to check the status of your application and that you contact supporters directly to inquire about the status of support letters. You will not receive another not from the Society until your application is complete. Applicants may expect to be notified of the Committee's decision within 4-8 weeks of submitting a completed application.

None of the FHRS application pathways seem to fit my background. Am I ineligible?

The FHRS designation is intended to help distinguish members for their advanced training, certification, and commitment to the field of electrophysiology. It is possible for a member to exhibit the fundamental qualities that are intended to be recognized by the FHRS designation without meeting each aspect of the criteria.

Any member who does not meet all of the criteria but who wishes to be considered on other merits may apply for FHRS. To do so, choose the most applicable pathway and explain in your application cover letter that you are petitioning the Member Relations Committee for special consideration. Please note in your cover letter which criteria are unmet and how your training and/or experience provide equivalent qualifications.

FHRS Dues

What are the annual dues fees for FHRS membership?

Member Type	Working in the US	Working outside the US / International	Low or Lower Middle Income (World Bank)
Physician & Physician Researchers: 1 year out of training	$229	$170	$85
Physician & Physician Researchers: 2 years out of training	$459	$340	$170
Physician & Physician Researchers: More than 2 years out of training	$695	$515	$258
Allied Health Professionals	$179	$140	$70
Scientists	$345	$265	$133

Upon becoming an FHRS member, when will I be billed at the FHRS dues rate?

Upon approval, you will be invoiced at the FHRS rate at the end of your current membership cycle. Please do not send dues payment with your application.

If my application is declined, will I receive a refund for the application processing fee?

No, the application processing fee is non-refundable.

If I am a physician but apply for FHRS using the scientist and physician researcher criteria, will my member category and dues change?

No, physicians who apply using the scientist criteria will continue to be categorized as physician members and will pay at the physician FHRS dues rate.

I have recently been accepted as a Fellow. When does my FHRS membership begin?

FHRS membership begins immediately upon notification of advancement to FHRS.

FHRS Membership

Do I have to attend the induction to become an FHRS member?: All new FHRS members are encouraged to attend the induction. Although the event is a formal acknowledgment of your advancement, it is not mandatory. FHRS membership begins immediately upon notification of advancement to FHRS rather than at the induction ceremony.
Does FHRS membership expire? Will I need to be recertified?: FHRS membership will continue as long as your membership is in good standing and you continue to meet the criteria for Fellowship. If you let your membership lapse, you will have one year to reinstate your FHRS membership without having to reapply. After that, you will need to reapply as an HRS member before being eligible to reapply for FHRS advancement.
What happens if I allow my HRS membership to lapse? Must I reapply for FHRS?: If you allow your membership to lapse, you will have one year to reinstate your FHRS membership without having to reapply. After that, you will need to reapply as an HRS member before being eligible to reapply for FHRS advancement.
What happens if I allow my medical certifications (such as ABIM/AOBIM CCEP) to lapse?: HRS expects that you will maintain your certifications and may remove your FHRS status if you do not.