The CTP Exam: Eligibility, Topics, and How to Study
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For professionals working in organ preservation, earning the Certified Transplant Preservationist (CTP®) credential is one way to demonstrate specialized knowledge and professional competency. In this third post of our CTP series, we cover what the exam is, who is eligible, what it tests, and how to study.
What Is the CTP Exam?
The Certified Transplant Preservationist (CTP®) exam is administered by the American Board for Transplant Certification (ABTC).
The examination evaluates specialized knowledge relevant to organ recovery, preservation, specimen collection, and transportation. According to the ABTC Candidate Handbook, candidates have two hours to complete 110 items, and 100 of those items count toward the score.
Certification provides formal recognition of expertise in this specialized area of transplantation.
Who Is Eligible to Take the CTP Exam?
According to the ABTC Candidate Handbook, candidates are eligible after completing a minimum of 12 months as a preservationist and being confident that they have obtained knowledge of the field through independent study or formal training programs.
Candidates should review the current ABTC eligibility requirements and application procedures before registering.
What Topics Are Covered on the CTP Exam?
The CTP exam covers knowledge across the organ preservation process. The ABTC content outline is organized into five domains (scored items in parentheses):
1. Professional Practice (15 items)
- Roles and responsibilities of OPO, OR, and transplant center staff
- Regulatory requirements, including donor and recipient confidentiality
- Collaborative relationships and professional development
- Pharmacology, physiology, and anatomy knowledge
2. Organ Recovery (30 items)
- Preoperative phase: case supplies, team huddle, scope of recovery, donor identification and documentation
- Intraoperative phase: preservation solution and flush lines, cannulation and cross-clamp, documenting critical information
- Aseptic technique: proper attire, PPE, gowning, gloving, scrub, and sterile technique
3. Organ Preservation (25 items)
- Anatomy and physiology of the heart, lungs, liver, kidney, pancreas, intestine, and VCA
- Common cannulation and cross-clamp sites, and normal and aberrant findings
- Preservation solutions: integrity, temperature, sterility, and flow pressure
- Machine preservation: flow, pressure, resistance, and troubleshooting
4. Specimen Collection (12 items)
- Blood, lymph nodes, and spleen: type and quantity, collection, labeling per OPTN policy, storage
- Vessels: proper vessels to recover, storage in preservation solution, labeling, and post-OR storage and usage guidelines
5. Organ Labeling and Packaging for Transport (18 items)
- Preparing and verifying accurate labels
- OPTN packaging and labeling requirements
- Required documentation
- Temperature maintenance and transportation responsibilities
The official ABTC examination outline should always be used as the primary reference when developing a study plan.
Review the ABTC Candidate Handbook and CTP Exam Content Outline
How to Study for the CTP Exam
Preparing for the CTP exam can feel overwhelming, particularly for preservationists whose daily responsibilities may focus on only certain organs or procedures.
For example, someone who primarily works with kidney recovery and machine perfusion may be very comfortable with renal anatomy and hypothermic preservation but have less exposure to thoracic organ recovery.
The exam requires a broader understanding of transplant preservation. Here are five practical ways to prepare.
Step 1: Start With the ABTC Exam Outline
Use the official content outline to identify the knowledge areas being tested. This gives your studying structure and helps prevent spending too much time reviewing familiar subjects while overlooking less frequently encountered topics.
Step 2: Study Beyond Your Everyday Responsibilities
Your experience is valuable, but your daily workflow may not cover every topic on the examination. Make sure you understand preservation principles across different organ systems.
Step 3: Review Anatomy and Preservation Physiology
Focus on understanding why preservation techniques are used, not just memorizing procedural steps. For example, understanding ischemic injury helps explain the importance of temperature management, preservation solutions, and minimizing interruptions during organ recovery.
Step 4: Know the Packaging and Documentation Requirements
Organ labeling, packaging, specimen handling, and transportation responsibilities are important areas of professional practice. Review current OPTN policies and your organization's applicable procedures.
Step 5: Use a Structured CTP Study Guide
A study guide can help organize complex information into manageable sections, particularly when you're balancing exam preparation with a demanding work schedule. Instead of searching through multiple references, you can work systematically through the subjects you need to review.
CTP Exam Study Guide for Organ Preservationists
If you're preparing for the Certified Transplant Preservationist exam, CPTCexam.com offers a dedicated study guide designed specifically for preservation professionals.
The goal is simple: make specialized transplant education easier to understand, organize, and study.
Whether you're reviewing organ recovery techniques, preservation physiology, specimen collection, or organ packaging requirements, having structured study materials can help you prepare more efficiently.
Explore the CTP Exam Study Guide at CPTCexam.com
Final Thoughts
For professionals pursuing their CTP credential, certification is an opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge behind this vital work.
Ready to begin studying?
More in This CTP Series
Disclaimer: CPTCexam.com is an independent educational resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the American Board for Transplant Certification. Always refer to ABTC for official examination requirements and current content outlines. CTP® is a registered mark of ABTC.