ABFAS 110-2015 Information and Requirements For Board Certification Part I and Part II This document contains information specific to the 2015 examinations only. 445 Fillmore Street San Francisco, CA 94117 (415) 553-7800 (415) 553-7801 (fax) info@abfas.org October 2014
Table of Contents Important Information - Part I examinations leading to Board Qualified status... 3 Important Information - Part II examinations leading to Board Certified status... 5 Requirements for Part I... 9 Table 1... 12 Effects of Passing or Failing the Part I Examinations... 12 Part II Board Certification... 13 Requirements for Part II Foot Surgery Examination... 16 Requirements for Part II Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery Examination... 17 Table 2... 19 Effects of Passing or Failing the Part II Examinations... 19 Examination Information... 20 Part I Examinations... 20 Part II Examinations... 22 Fees and Refunds... 23 Table 3... 24 Required Fees for 2015 ABFAS Examinations... 24 Copyright 2015 ABFAS. Any unauthorized use, modification, reproduction, display, publication, performance, or distribution of this work without the prior written consent of the ABFAS is prohibited and may violate the Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. 101 et seq. Such prohibited actions may result in legal action or the loss of privileges, benefits, qualifications, or certifications granted by the ABFAS. Nondiscrimination Policy. In accordance with applicable federal laws, the does not discriminate in any of its policies, procedures, or practices on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, or disability. Americans With Disabilities Act. In compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act, the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery will make reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities if written request is made, and all required documentation is received, no later than thirty (30) days prior to the date(s) of the examination for which appropriate application has been made, fees paid, and credentialing completed. Candidates seeking an accommodation should request the ABFAS Policies and Procedures for Examination Candidates Requesting Accommodation for Disabilities at least ninety (90) days prior to the examination dates. Page 2
The (ABFAS) certification process consists of Part I and Part II examinations. Part I of the Certification in Foot Surgery Examination process leads to Board Qualified in Foot Surgery. Part I of the Certification in Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery Examination process leads to Board Qualified in Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery. Board Qualified in Foot Surgery is a prerequisite to Board Qualified in Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery. Part II of the Certification in Foot Surgery Examination process leads to Board Certified in Foot Surgery. Part II of the Certification in Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Examination process leads to Board Certified in Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery. Board Certified in Foot Surgery is a prerequisite for Board Certified in Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery. Candidates completing residency programs in June 2014 or later have seven (7) years from the year of residency completion to complete the requirements for ABFAS certification. A candidate must complete Part I and Part II of the Foot Surgery examinations within the seven-year period. In addition, a candidate seeking Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery (RRA) certification must complete Part I and Part II of the RRA examinations within the same seven (7) years. Candidates unsuccessful in achieving certification by the close of the seventh year are no longer eligible for ABFAS certification. For example, a resident completing a residency in 2015 must pass Parts I and II by December 31, 2022. Important Information - Part I examinations leading to Board Qualified status Calendar of Important Dates May 2015 Part I Examinations October 2015 Part I Examinations November 3, 2014 Registration opens August 17, 2015 April 28, 2015 Registration closes October 9, 2015 May 5, 2015 Last day to withdraw w/o penalty October 9, 2015 May 19, 2015 Administration of examination October 27, 2015 The ABFAS offers the Part I Foot and RRA examinations on May 19, 2015 and October 27, 2015, at testing centers throughout the United States. Candidates may apply beginning November 3, 2014 for the May examinations and August 17, 2015 for the October examinations. The ABFAS strongly encourages early registration to lessen the possibility of having to travel to a distant testing enter. See Application process on page 8. The 2015 Part I Foot and RRA examinations consist of two sections. One section consists of didactic (i.e., multiple-choice) questions. The other section consists of Computer-based Patient Simulation (CBPS) cases. The ABFAS scores the didactic and CBPS sections separately, and candidates must pass both sections to achieve Board Qualified status. For effects of passing or failing the Part I examinations, see Table 1 on page 12. Part I Certification in Foot Surgery The ABFAS accepts applications for Part I of the Certification in Foot Surgery Examination only from Page 3
candidates who completed one of the following Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME)-approved residency programs prior to the end of calendar year 2015: A minimum of two years of residency training (12 months of which must be in a podiatric surgical residency [PSR])* A Podiatric Medicine and Surgery residency (PM&S-24* or PM&S-36) A Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Residency (PMSR) *NOTE: Candidates without Board Qualified status who completed a CPME-approved residency of less than three years have until December 31, 2018 to complete the ABFAS board certification process. Beginning January 1, 2019, such candidates are ineligible for ABFAS certification. Candidates with Board Qualified status who completed a CPME-approved residency of less than three years may pursue board certification until expiration of Board Qualified status. Candidates may apply for requalification; however, any requalification may not extend beyond December 31, 2018. Part I Certification in Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery The ABFAS accepts applications for Part I of the Certification in Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery Examination only from candidates who completed one of the following CPME-approved residency programs prior to the end of calendar year 2015: A PSR-24* or a PM&S-36 A Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Residency/Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery (PMSR/RRA) *NOTE: Candidates without Board Qualified status who completed a CPME-approved residency of less than three years have until December 31, 2018 to complete the ABFAS board certification process. Beginning January 1, 2019, such candidates are ineligible for ABFAS certification. Candidates with Board Qualified status who completed a CPME-approved residency of less than three years may pursue board certification until expiration of Board Qualified status. Candidates may apply for requalification; however, any requalification may not extend beyond December 31, 2018. General Requirements for Part I Examinations Candidates sitting for Part I of either certification examination must have completed the minimum surgical training requirements as defined in the applicable CPME 320 document and verified through Podiatry Residency Resource (PRR). It is incumbent on the individual resident to be aware of the minimum requirements and to ensure that these requirements are met as a prerequisite for successful completion of residency training. Insufficient verified documentation of adequate diversity and volume of surgical activity while in surgical residency training may result in failure to receive, or if received, the withdrawal of, Board Qualified status. The awarding of a residency completion certificate from a CPME-approved residency training program alone will not suffice for Board Qualified status. (See Requirements for Part I, page 9, for additional requirements.) Part I requirements for both examinations include the submission of residency surgical case logs (see page 10). The ABFAS requires submission through PRR of all logs reflecting training subsequent Page 4
to July 1, 2002. If Board Qualified status in Foot Surgery expires before Board Qualified status in Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery, the ABFAS suspends RRA status until the candidate successfully reestablishes the required status in Foot Surgery (provided that status in RRA has not expired prior to the reestablishment of status in Foot Surgery). Individuals holding Board Qualified status prior to 2014 may requalify for Part I of either examination until expiration of the initial qualified status.* Such individuals may requalify one time, i.e., may hold Board Qualified status for no more than 14 years. Individuals seeking requalification must meet the following requirements: a. Submit proof of current active hospital surgical privileges commensurate with the requested level of qualification b. Retake and pass Part I of the certification examination(s) c. Meet all other requirements for Part I at the time of application *NOTE: Candidates without Board Qualified status who completed a CPME-approved residency of less than three years have until December 31, 2018 to complete the ABFAS board certification process. Beginning January 1, 2019, such candidates are ineligible for ABFAS certification. Candidates with Board Qualified status who completed a CPME-approved residency of less than three years may pursue board certification until expiration of Board Qualified status. Candidates may apply for requalification; however, any requalification may not extend beyond December 31, 2018. Important Information - Part II examinations leading to Board Certified status Calendar of Important Dates May 2015 Part II Examinations Candidates applying for Case Review and CBPS or Case Review only November 3, 2014 Registration opens December 8, 2014 Registration and fees due Within 48 hours, candidates receive instructions for Facility Surgical Practice Verification and Facility Surgical Procedure List Attestation January 12, 2015 Deadline for Facility Surgical Procedure List Attestation February 2, 2015 Within 48 hours, candidates passing facility list audit notified by email that list of procedures for complete case documentation is available on candidate s PLS site March 15, 2015 Last day to withdraw from Case Analysis w/o penalty March 30, 2015 Deadline for candidate submission of complete case documentation May 5, 2015 Last day to withdraw from CBPS w/o penalty May 20, 2015 Administration of CBPS examination Page 5
May 2015 Part II Examinations Candidates applying for CBPS only (cases previously approved) November 3, 2015 Registration opens April 17, 2015 Deadline to register May 5, 2015 Last day to withdraw w/o penalty May 20, 2015 Administration of CBPS examination Beginning in 2009, the ABFAS established Podiatry Logging Service for Surgery (PLS), where the ABFAS Board Qualified surgeons log surgical procedures. Candidates must enter on PLS all surgical procedures performed January 1, 2009 and later (or when candidate first achieved Board Qualified status subsequent to January 1, 2009). In addition, candidates may enter any nonresidency procedures performed after January 31, 2008. Fellowship cases may be logged if they meet the following requirements: 1. The Fellow must be the surgeon of record and have documented involvement in the preoperative and postoperative care of the patient. 2. Fellowship cases must meet other ABFAS case submission requirements. Such requirements may include, but are not limited to: a. Performed in a facility as defined in the ABFAS Policy 601.050.02 b. Procedure performed no later than seven (7) years from the date of registration for the Part II case review process c. Meet all requirements of the ABFAS document 220 applicable to the year in which candidate registers for the Part II case review process Part II Certification in Foot Surgery All candidates sitting for Part II of the Certification in Foot Surgery Examination in 2015 must have completed a minimum of two years* of CPME-approved residency training (12 months of which must be in a CPMEapproved podiatric surgical residency), a CPME-approved Residency in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery residency (24 or 36), or a CPME-approved Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Residency (PMSR). *NOTE: Candidates without Board Qualified status who completed a CPME-approved residency of less than three years have until December 31, 2018 to complete the ABFAS board certification process. Beginning January 1, 2019, such candidates are ineligible for ABFAS certification. Candidates with Board Qualified status who completed a CPME-approved residency of less than three years may pursue board certification until expiration of Board Qualified status. Candidates may apply for requalification; however, any requalification may not extend beyond December 31, 2018. Part II Certification in Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery Sitting for Part II of the Certification in Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery Examination requires prior completion of a CPME-approved Podiatric Surgical Residency-24 (PSR-24)*, a CPME-approved Podiatric Medicine and Surgery-36 residency (PM&S-36), or a Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Residency/Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery residency (PMSR/RRA). Individuals completing a PSR-12 or a PM&S-24 residency, regardless of length, may not take the Part II RRA certification examination. Page 6
*NOTE: Candidates without Board Qualified status who completed a CPME-approved residency of less than three years have until December 31, 2018 to complete the ABFAS board certification process. Beginning January 1, 2019, such candidates are ineligible for ABFAS certification. Candidates with Board Qualified status who completed a CPME-approved residency of less than three years may pursue board certification until expiration of Board Qualified status. Candidates may apply for requalification; however, any requalification may not extend beyond December 31, 2018. If status in Foot Surgery expires before status in RRA Surgery, the ABFAS suspends RRA status until the candidate successfully reestablishes the required status in Foot Surgery (provided that status in RRA has not expired prior to the reestablishment of status in Foot Surgery). The following information addresses many of the questions that may arise concerning Certification in Foot Surgery and Certification in Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery requirements. The ABFAS 220-2015, Instructions for Submitting Case Documentation, contains information concerning preparation of procedure documentation, the application process, and fees. Applying for Part I of the Certification Examinations Membership in Other Organizations The ABFAS certification requires no affiliation with other professional organizations. Definitions The ABFAS adopted the following definitions for candidates who pass Part I of the certification examinations: Board Qualified in Foot Surgery A podiatric surgeon who has passed Part I of the Certification in Foot Surgery Examination may be declared Board Qualified in Foot Surgery and will have demonstrated a level of capability in the diagnosis of general medical problems, including the diagnosis and surgical management of foot diseases, deformities, and/or trauma, and those structures that affect the foot and ankle. Board Qualified in Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery A podiatric surgeon who has passed Part I of the Certification in Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery Examination may be declared Board Qualified in Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery and will have demonstrated a level of capability in the diagnosis of general medical problems, including the diagnosis and surgical management of foot and ankle diseases, deformities, and/or trauma, and those structures which affect the foot, ankle, and leg. NOTE: Passing Part I of the Certification in Foot Surgery Examination is a prerequisite for Board Qualified in Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery. In addition, loss of Board Qualified status in Foot Surgery results in suspension of Board Qualified status in RRA until status in Foot Surgery is reestablished (provided, however, that Board Qualified status in RRA has not expired prior to the reestablishment of Board Qualified status in Foot Surgery). Page 7
Application process Candidates must apply online with the assigned ABFAS username and password at www.abfas.org. Candidates may request their username and/or password through the website. The application window opens on November 3, 2014 for the May Part I and Part II examinations, and August 17, 2015 for the October Part I examinations. The ABFAS strongly encourages early registration to secure a preferred location. Late applicants may have to travel to a distant testing center. The final deadline to apply is April 17, 2015 for the May examinations and October 9, 2015 for the October examinations. Candidates applying for Part II case review process must complete the registration and pay fees by December 8, 2014. Duration of Board Qualified status The ABFAS grants Board Qualified status for seven (7) years. Under current policy, physicians board qualified prior to 2014 may requalify only for another seven (7) years on expiration of the initial Board Qualified status. Candidates completing residency programs in June 2014 or later have seven (7) years to complete the requirements for ABFAS certification. A candidate must complete Part I and Part II of the Foot Surgery examinations within the seven-year period. In addition, a candidate seeking RRA certification must complete Part I and Part II of the RRA examinations within the same seven years. Candidates unsuccessful in achieving certification by the close of the seventh year are ineligible for access to ABFAS certification. NOTE: Candidates without Board Qualified status who completed a CPME-approved residency of less than three years have until December 31, 2018 to complete the ABFAS board certification process. Beginning January 1, 2019, such candidates are ineligible for access to ABFAS certification. Candidates with board qualification who completed a CPME-approved residency of less than three years may pursue board certification until expiration of Board Qualified status. Candidates may apply for requalification; however, any requalification may not extend beyond December 31, 2018. Candidates seeking requalification must meet the following requirements: a. Submit proof of current active hospital surgical privileges commensurate with the requested level of qualification b. Retake and pass Part I of the certification examination(s) c. Meet all other requirements for Part I examination at the time of application Board Qualified Letter The ABFAS issues a Board Qualified letter bearing the embossed seal of the ABFAS to candidates meeting all requirements for either Board Qualified category. There is no certificate granted for Board Qualified status. Board Qualified Incomplete Status Board Qualified Incomplete status converts to Board Qualified status when all requirements are met and verified by the ABFAS. Page 8
Bylaws Submission of the application certifies agreement and compliance with the Bylaws of the American Board of Podiatric Surgery (dba ). A copy of the Bylaws is available online at www.abfas.org. or by request. Withdrawal Candidates may withdraw from the examination process by notifying ABFAS by fax, e-mail, or mail received no later than May 5, 2015 for the May examinations and October 9, 2015 for the October examination. Late withdrawal results in a penalty fee. Candidates must obtain a late withdrawal number confirming withdrawal from the examination. The ABFAS requires no additional application fee if the examination fee is carried over to subsequent years. No Shows Candidates who fail to appear and have not obtained a verified withdrawal number forfeit all fees. Reexamination and Reactivation Candidates may apply for reactivation or reexamination provided all application criteria are met. The ABFAS offers the Part I Foot and RRA examinations on May 19, 2015 and October 27, 2015 at testing centers throughout the United States. Candidates taking both Part I examinations sit for those examinations on the same day. The ABFAS strongly encourages early application to secure a preferred location. See Application process on page 8. Candidates must apply online for no later than April 17, 2015 for the May examinations and October 9, 2015 for the October examinations with payment of appropriate fees listed in Table 3 on page 24. Requirements for Part I Candidates who meet all of the following requirements (1 through 3) may be declared Board Qualified. NOTE: Passing Part I of the Certification in Foot Surgery Examination is prerequisite to Board Qualified in Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery. Candidates who meet the requirements may take both Part I examinations on the same day. 1. Examination The Part I examinations in Foot Surgery and in Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery each consist of two sections. One section consists of didactic (multiple-choice) questions; the second section consists of CBPS cases. Both formats (didactic and CBPS) are scored separately. To be declared Board Qualified, a candidate must pass both sections of the Part I examination(s) in Foot Surgery and/or Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery. See Table 1, page 12, Effects of Passing or Failing the Part I Examinations. The ABFAS does not grant Board Qualified status until verification of requirements 2 and 3 below. The ABFAS provides examination scores or results for failed examinations. Copies of the test items are not revealed since all questions remain in the active examination item pool for future use, unless removed by authority of the psychometric consultant or the Examinations Committee. Page 9
2. Completion of a CPME-approved Surgical Residency The ABFAS advises residents to review carefully the CPME 320 requirements and to verify with their program director that they have met the requirements. If there is a question about approval of a particular program, please call the ABFAS office (415-553-7800) before applying. Foot Surgery Completion of one of the following requirements: a. Two years CPME-approved residency training (12 months of which must be in a CPMEapproved podiatric surgical residency)* b. A CPME-approved PM&S-24* or PM&S-36 residency c. A CPME-approved Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Residency Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery Completion of one of the following: a. A CPME-approved PSR-24* or PM&S-36 residency b. A CPME-approved Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Residency/Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery residency (PMSR/RRA) *NOTE: Candidates without Board Qualified status who completed a CPME-approved residency of less than three years have until December 31, 2018 to complete the ABFAS board certification process. Beginning January 1, 2019, such candidates are ineligible for access to ABFAS certification. Candidates with board qualification who completed a CPME-approved residency of less than three years may pursue board certification until expiration of Board Qualified status. Candidates may apply for requalification; however, any requalification may not extend beyond December 31, 2018. Residents issued a completion certificate from CPME-approved training programs by December 31, 2015 may apply to take the 2015 Part I examinations. The ABFAS will not declare candidates who pass a Part I examination as Board Qualified until the ABFAS receives a copy or copies of the residency completion certificate(s) and verifies completion of surgical requirements through Podiatry Residency Resource (PRR). The ABFAS requires verification of a current, valid state license. 3. Submission of Residency Surgical Case Log Part I candidates must submit their residency surgical case logs to the ABFAS through PRR. The logs must list all cases the candidate performed or participated in during the surgical residency program, and such logs must meet the minimum surgical training requirements as delineated in the applicable CPME 320. The residency director must verify and sign the logs. Insufficient verified documentation of adequate diversity and volume of surgical activity while in surgical residency training can result in failure to receive, or, if received, withdrawal of, Board Qualified status. The ABFAS requires submission of all logs through PPR. The ABFAS will not release Board Qualified letters until receiving and approving the complete and verified surgical case log. Page 10
Failure to Submit Residency Certificate and/or Surgical Case Log Candidates passing a Part I examination who do not submit proof of residency completion and a complete residency case log are NOT Board Qualified. On meeting these requirements, the ABFAS will release the Board Qualified letter. The ABFAS will not grant Board Qualified status and will void examination results if the ABFAS does not receive the residency completion certificate(s) and the residency case log by July 31, 2016. The candidate must reapply to take the Part I examination(s) and meet all current requirements for Part I application; and there will be no refund of any application or examination fees. REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK Page 11
Table 1 Effects of Passing or Failing the Part I Examinations Begin with the scenario in Column 1 that fits your situation.. Look first at the various outcomes of the Foot Surgery examination in Column 2. In Column 3, directly beside a scenario in Column 2, find the various RRA examination outcomes. The result of each specific scenario is listed in Column 4. 1 2 3 4 Examination(s) Being Taken Foot Surgery Results RRA Surgery Results New Status Achieved Didactic Section CBPS Section Didactic Section CBPS Section Pass Pass Board Qualified Foot Surgery. Foot Surgery only Pass Fail Credit for passing Foot didactic section; no ABFAS status. Both Examinations Part I Foot Surgery Part I RRA Surgery Fail Pass Credit for passing Foot CBPS section; no ABFAS status. Pass Pass Pass Pass Board Qualified in Foot Surgery. Board Qualified in RRA Surgery. Pass Pass Fail Fail Board Qualified in Foot Surgery. Pass Pass Pass Fail Board Qualified in Foot Surgery. Credit for passing RRA didactic section; no RRA status. Pass Pass Fail Pass Board Qualified in Foot Surgery. Credit for passing RRA CBPS section; no RRA status Pass Fail Fail Fail Credit for passing Foot didactic section; no ABFAS status. Fail Pass Pass Pass Credit for passing Foot CBPS section. Credit for passing Part I RRA examination;*** no ABFAS status.** Fail Pass Fail Pass Credit for passing Foot CBPS section; credit for passing RRA CBPS section. Fail Pass Pass Fail Credit for passing Foot CBPS section; credit for passing RRA didactic section. Fail Fail Pass Pass Credit for passing Part I RRA examination;*** no ABFAS status. ** Fail Fail Fail Pass Credit for passing RRA didactic section. Pass Pass Board Qualified in RRA Surgery; retains Foot Surgery qualified*/certified status. RRA only Passed in previous years (status active). Fail Pass Credit for passing RRA CBPS section; no RRA status. Retains Foot Surgery qualified*/certified status. Credit for passing RRA didactic section; no RRA Pass Fail status. Retains Foot Surgery qualified*/certified status. *Board Qualified in Foot Surgery status date does not change (granted for seven [7] years from date of passing the board qualification examination). If status in Foot Surgery expires before status in Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery certification, the RRA status is suspended until the candidate successfully reestablishes the required status in Foot Surgery (provided that Board Qualified status in RRA has not expired prior to the reestablishment of Board Qualified status in Foot Surgery). **Candidates who fail the Part I Foot Surgery Certification Examination, but pass the Part I RRA Surgery examination, receive credit, but no ABFAS status, for the RRA Surgery examination. It should be noted that the original pass date of the Part I RRA Surgery examination does not change with passing of the Foot Surgery examination. ***Passing credit expires in seven (7) years. Page 12
Part II Board Certification General Information on Applying for Part II of the Certification Examination Membership in Other Organizations The ABFAS certification requires no affiliation with other professional organizations. Definitions The ABFAS adopted the following definitions for candidates who pass Part II of the certification examinations: Certification in Foot Surgery A podiatric surgeon who passes Part I and Part II of the Certification in Foot Surgery Examination will have demonstrated knowledge and skills of podiatric surgery, including the diagnosis of general medical problems and surgical management of foot diseases, deformities, and/or trauma, and those structures that affect the foot and ankle. Certification in Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery A podiatric surgeon who passes Part I and Part II of the Certification in Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery Examination will have demonstrated knowledge and skills of podiatric surgery, including the diagnosis of general medical problems and surgical management of foot and ankle diseases, deformities, and/or trauma, and those structures that affect the foot, ankle, and leg. Certification in Foot Surgery is a prerequisite for Certification in Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery. Certification Process All candidates participating in the 2015 Case Analysis process take the Part II administration of the CBPS examination. Candidates must pass the Case Analysis process and the CBPS examination to achieve board certification. The ABFAS reports results of the Case Analysis process and CBPS examination together. Candidates passing the Case Analysis process or the CBPS of the Part II examination receive credit for the portion passed, but no ABFAS status. CBPS or Case Analysis credit is valid for the year received, plus the following six (6) years or until eligibility for ABFAS certification expires, whichever occurs first. Case Logging Effective January 1, 2009, the ABFAS established the Podiatry Logging Service for Surgery (PLS), where ABFAS Board Qualified surgeons log their surgical procedures. All surgical procedures performed January 1, 2009 or later (or when candidate first achieved Board Qualified status subsequent to January 1, 2009) must be entered on PLS; however, the surgeon also may enter any non-residency procedures performed after January 31, 2007. Page 13
Case Selection The ABFAS selects 10 Foot Surgery cases and/or 10 Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery cases from the candidate s logs recorded on PLS (see the ABFAS document 220 for instructions on submitting case documentation). Candidates apply for the Part II certification examination online through their personal page at www.abfas.org by December 8, 2014. An ABFAS username and password are required to access the personal page. Follow instructions on the ABFAS homepage (www.abfas.org) to request your username and password. Facility Case List Verification Candidates must log on PLS all surgical cases performed in accredited facilities. Failure to log all surgical cases on PLS will result in the candidate being denied access to the Part II examination for that year, at the discretion of the ABFAS. The ABFAS selects cases randomly for verification with the facilities where the candidate performed the cases to corroborate the case and procedure information submitted and to confirm the accreditation status of the facility. The facility list audit process consists of the following steps: Registration due 12/8/2014 Facility case materials due 1/12/2015 All compatible facility lists reviewed Cases logged correctly. 2/2/2015 receives list of cases selected Candidate fails facility case audit Complete case submission due 3/30/2015 No cases selected May reapply for 2016 Page 14
An accredited healthcare facility includes, but is not limited to, a facility accredited by The Joint Commission, Joint Commission International, the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), or the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, Inc. (AAAASF). Period of Certification Initial certification is for a period of ten (10) years. Diplomate Certificates On successful completion of all certification requirements, the ABFAS issues appropriate certificates confirming the candidate to be a: Diplomate of the with Certification in Foot Surgery and (if applicable) Diplomate of the with Certification in Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery Bylaws Submission of the application certifies agreement and compliance with the Bylaws of the American Board of Podiatric Surgery (dba ). A copy of the Bylaws is available online at www.abfas.org or by request. Recertification Diplomates are issued time-dated certificates and must recertify every 10 years. Because these Diplomates must recertify during the eighth, ninth or tenth year after initial certification, the three-year window of opportunity will be open in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Complete information can be found in the ABFAS 112 online at www.abfas.org. Withdrawal Candidates may withdraw from the examination process by notifying the ABFAS by fax, e-mail, or mail received no later than March 15, 2015. Late withdrawal results in a penalty fee. Candidates must obtain a late withdrawal number confirming withdrawal from the examination. No Shows Candidates not appearing for the examination and not withdrawing before the day of the examination forfeit all fees. Reexamination and Reactivation Candidates with case documentation approval prior to 2013 who either withdrew before taking an examination in previous years or must retake any part(s) of the certification examination may apply for reexamination or reactivation until their Board Qualified status expires, or when the case approval expires. Effective with the 2015 examination cycle, the ABFAS will implement a revised Part II examination process. All candidates must participate in a new surgical Case Analysis process. Page 15
The ABFAS requires a notarized letter from one accredited healthcare facility verifying current hospital surgical privileges consistent with the area of certification desired (Foot and/or RRA). Candidates must apply for Reexamination or Reactivation online at www.abfas.org by April 28, 2015 with fees as listed in Table 3 on page 24. Requirements for Part II Foot Surgery Examination Clinical Experience Candidates must meet the surgical case volume and diversity requirements for application (refer to the ABFAS 220-2015). Completion of CPME-approved Surgical Residency Candidates must submit photocopies of all residency completion certificates received from CPMEapproved residency training programs (Note: if currently Board Qualified, no certificate required). If there is a question about approval of a particular program, please call the ABFAS office (415-553-7800) before applying. All candidates sitting for the Part II certification examination(s) must have completed a minimum of two years of CPME-approved residency training (12 months of which must be in a CPME-approved podiatric surgical residency [PSR])*; or a CPME-approved Residency in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery (24* or 36); or a CPME-approved Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Residency (PMSR). *NOTE: Candidates without Board Qualified status who completed a CPME-approved residency of less than three years have until December 31, 2018 to complete the ABFAS board certification process. Beginning January 1, 2019, such candidates are ineligible for ABFAS certification. Candidates with Board Qualified status who completed a CPME-approved residency of less than three years may pursue board certification until expiration of Board Qualified status. Candidates may apply for requalification; however, any requalification may not extend beyond December 31, 2018. Current Hospital Surgical Privileges Candidates must have current hospital surgical privileges in foot surgery to apply for the Part II Certification in Foot Surgery Examination. See the ABFAS 220-2015 for details. Case Selection The ABFAS selects 10 Foot Surgery cases from the candidate s logs recorded in Podiatry Logging Service for Surgery (PLS). The ABFAS evaluates all procedures included in each case. Candidates must review the ABFAS document 220 for complete details on the changes and requirements for case selection and documentation. Please note that the ABFAS does not accept residency procedures for case documentation. Candidates must meet all other requirements for Part I and Part II prior to receiving examination results. Page 16
Examinations A candidate must pass both Part I and Part II of the Certification in Foot Surgery Examination for certification in Foot Surgery. Candidates passing only the Part I examination are Board Qualified in Foot Surgery for seven (7) years. NOTE: Candidates completing training in 2014 or later have seven (7) years from the time of completion of residency training to become Board Certified. All first-time candidates participating in the 2015 Case Analysis process take the May Part II administration of the CBPS examination. Candidates must pass the Case Analysis process and the CBPS examination to achieve board certification. Results of the Case Analysis process and CBPS examination are reported together. Candidates passing the Case Analysis process or the CBPS of the Part II examination receive credit for the portion passed, but no ABFAS status. CBPS or Case Analysis credit is valid for the year received, plus the following six (6) years or until eligibility for ABFAS certification expires, whichever occurs first. The Table 2 on page 19 lists the effects of passing or failing various parts of the examinations. The ABFAS provides examination scores or results for failed examinations. The ABFAS does not provide copies of the test items since all questions remain in the active examination item pool for future use, unless removed by authority of the psychometric consultant or the Examinations Committee. Requirements for Part II Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery Examination Foot Surgery certification is prerequisite to Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery certification. Candidates may take both examinations together. Refer to Table 2 on Page 19. Clinical Experience Candidates must have completed the surgical case volume and diversity requirements for application (refer to the ABFAS 220-2015). Completion of a CPME-approved Surgical Residency Candidates must submit photocopies of all residency completion certificates received from CPMEapproved residency training programs (Note: if currently Board Qualified, no certificate required). Candidates sitting for certification in RRA must have completed a CPME-approved podiatric surgical residency (PSR-24)*, PM&S-36 residency, or Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Residency/Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery residency (PMSR/RRA). If there is a question about approval of a particular program, please call the ABFAS office before applying. *NOTE: Candidates without Board Qualified status who completed a CPME-approved residency of less than three years have until December 31, 2018 to complete the ABFAS board certification process. Beginning January 1, 2019, such candidates are ineligible for ABFAS certification. Candidates with Board Qualified status who completed a CPME-approved residency of less than three years may pursue board certification until expiration Board Qualified status. Candidates may apply for requalification; however, any requalification may not extend beyond December 31, 2018. Page 17
Current Hospital Surgical Privileges The ABFAS requires current hospital surgical privileges in reconstructive rearfoot/ankle surgery to apply for Part II of the Certification in Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery Examination. See t h e ABFAS 220-2015 for details. Case Selection The ABFAS selects 10 r econstructive r earfoot/ankle s urgery cases from the candidate s logs recorded in Podiatry Logging Service for Surgery (PLS). The ABFAS evaluates all procedures included in each case. Candidates must review the ABFAS document 220 for complete details on the changes and requirements for case selection and documentation. Please note that the ABFAS does not accept residency procedures for case documentation. Candidates must meet all other requirements for Part I and Part II before receiving final examination results and/or award of certification. Examinations A candidate must pass Part I and Part II of the Certification Examination in Foot Surgery and Part I and Part II of the Certification in Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery for certification in Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery. NOTE: Candidates completing a residency program in 2014 or later have seven (7) years from time of completion of residency training to become Board Certified. All first-time candidates participating in the 2015 Case Analysis process take the May Part II administration of the CBPS examination. Candidates must pass the Case Analysis process and the CBPS examination to achieve board certification. Results of the Case Analysis process and CBPS examination are reported together. Candidates passing the Case Analysis process or the CBPS of the Part II examination receive credit for the portion passed, but no ABFAS status. CBPS or Case Analysis credit is valid for the year received plus the following six (6) years or until eligibility for ABFAS certification expires, whichever occurs first. Table 2 on page 19 lists the effects of passing or failing various parts of the examinations. The ABFAS provides examination scores or results for failed examinations. The ABFAS does not provide copies of the test items since all questions remain in the active examination item pool for future use, unless removed by authority of the psychometric consultant or the Examinations Committee. Page 18
Table 2 Effects of Passing or Failing the Part II Examinations How to use this Table Begin with the scenario in Column 1 that fits your situation. Look first at the various outcomes of the Foot Surgery examination in Column 2. In Column 3, directly beside a scenario in Column 2, find the various RRA examination outcomes. The result of each specific scenario is listed in Column 4. 1 2 3 4 Part(s) Being Taken Foot Surgery Results RRA Surgery Results New Status Achieved All Four Parts Foot Surgery Part I Foot Surgery Part II RRA Surgery Part I RRA Surgery Part II Three Parts (When the candidate is already Board Qualified in Foot Surgery) Foot Surgery Part I RRA Surgery Part I RRA Surgery Part II Two Parts (When the candidate is already certified in Foot Surgery) RRA Surgery Part I RRA Surgery Part II Two Parts (When the candidate is already Board Qualified in Foot and RRA Surgery) Foot Surgery Part II RRA Surgery Part II One Part (When the candidate is already certified in Foot Surgery and Board Qualified in RRA Surgery) RRA Surgery oral Pass both parts Pass Part I Fail Part II Fail Part I Pass* or fail Part II Fail both parts Pass Part II Fail Part II Passed in previous years (status active) Pass Part II Fail Part II Passed in previous years (status active) Pass both parts Pass Part I Fail Part II Fail Part I Pass* or fail Part II Pass Part I Pass* or fail Part II Fail Part I Pass* or fail Part II Fail Part I Pass* or fail Part II Pass* or fail Part I Pass* or fail Part II Pass both parts Pass Part I Fail Part II Fail Part I Pass* or fail Part II Pass Part I Pass* or fail Part II Fail Part I Pass Part II* Pass both parts Pass Part I Fail Part II Fail Part I Pass* or fail Part II Pass Part II Fail Part II Pass Part II* Pass Part II Fail Part II Certified in Foot Surgery Certified in RRA Surgery Certified in Foot Surgery Board Qualified in RRA Surgery** Certified in Foot Surgery Board Qualified in Foot Surgery** Board Qualified in RRA Surgery** Board Qualified in Foot Surgery** No status No status Certified in Foot Surgery Certified in RRA Surgery Certified in Foot Surgery Board Qualified in RRA Surgery** Certified in Foot Surgery Board Qualified in RRA Surgery** (remains Board Qualified in Foot Surgery***) No RRA status (remains Board Qualified in Foot Surgery***) Certified in RRA Surgery Board Qualified in RRA Surgery** (remains Certified in Foot Surgery) No RRA status (remains Certified in Foot Surgery) Certified in Foot Surgery Certified in RRA Surgery Certified in Foot Surgery (remains Board Qualified in RRA Surgery***) No new status (remains Board Qualified in both Foot and RRA Surgery***) Certified in RRA Surgery No new status (remains certified in Foot Surgery and Board Qualified in RRA Surgery***) * Because Foot Surgery certification is a prerequisite to RRA certification, failing to achieve Foot Surgery certification prevents RRA certification, even if candidate passes both parts of the RRA examination. However, if a candidate passes either part of the RRA examination, that candidate receives credit for those examinations passed (See Part I, Section B. 5). **Board Qualified status is granted for seven (7) years. ***Board Qualified status date does not change (granted for seven [7] years from date of passing the board qualification examination). Page 19
Examination Information The Part I examinations are computer- administered test(s) at Pearson VUE testing centers. T h e ABFAS offers the Part I Foot and RRA examinations on May 19, 2015 and October 27, 2015. Candidates taking both Part I examinations take those examinations on the same day. Examination site selection opens November 3, 2014 for the May examinations and August 17, 2015 for the October examinations. Candidates must pay all fees before receiving access to site selection. The ABFAS notifies candidates via e-mail when the site selection process opens as well as the website address for making a site selection. On May 20, 2015, the ABFAS administers the CBPS portion of the Part II examinations as a computeradministered test(s) at Pearson VUE testing centers. Examination Study Guide (ABFAS 420) and Computer-based Patient Simulation (CBPS) practice cases The ABFAS offers an Online Study Guide at www.abfas.org. Click on Members, BQ, & Candidates in the tool bar at the top of the home page. From the drop down list, select Documents. There is a series of tabs at the top of the page. Click the ABFAS 420 tab. In the lower right panel under Quick Links, click Online Study Guide. This opens the StepUp elearning website. Use your ABFAS username and password to access the site. The guide contains information about subject areas covered in ABFAS examinations and examples of the Part I and the Part II questions. The ABFAS strongly encourages candidates to access the Computer-based Patient Simulation practice cases on the ABFAS website by logging on to their personal page and clicking on the hyperlink in the lower right panel. There is unlimited access to the practice cases. Examination Admission Candidates sitting for the Part I examination(s) receive an appointment schedule (printed when the candidate selects a date and site). The testing center requires candidates to provide two forms of identification, one of which must be a valid, government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver s license or passport). Candidates sitting for the CBPS portion of the Part II examination(s) receive an appointment schedule (printed when the candidate selects a date and site). The testing center requires candidates to provide two forms of identification, one of which must be a valid, government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver s license or passport). Part I Examinations The Part I examinations demonstrate the candidate's cognitive knowledge and clinical reasoning skills of medicine and surgery and the perioperative care of the podiatric surgical patient. Page 20
General Information Format The Part I examination consists of two sections. One section consists of didactic (i.e., multiple-choice) questions. Each question has only ONE best answer. The second section is a Computer-based Patient Simulation (CBPS) assessment. The purpose of the CBPS format is to evaluate the candidate s clinical reasoning skills. This type of testing is referred to as performance-based testing. The CBPS examines content knowledge and the candidate s ability to solve problems and make clinically relevant decisions. Both types of questions involve some interpretation of pictorial materials. Scoring The ABFAS provides scores and results (for failed examinations) as scale scores. Examinations are not graded on a curve. The Board of Directors sets passing scores based on psychometric evaluation of the examinations. See Table 1, page 12, for the effects of passing and/or failing the examination. Review of Scores While scoring of each examination is by computer, there is a recheck and review of failed examinations. Therefore, once the ABFAS mails examination results to candidates, there is no further review of scores. Inclusion of Nonscored Questions The ABFAS may include some questions in the examinations to improve the examination system and to provide data for investigations into the examination process. Such questions do not count in determining candidate scores. Part I Examination in Foot Surgery Content The examination involves diagnostic and perioperative care of the podiatric surgical patient encompassing the foot and ankle. Intraoperative areas include surgical procedures of the entire foot with the exception of RRA procedures. Schedule The examination includes a maximum of 125 multiple-choice questions and a maximum of eight CBPS cases administered in one session lasting no more than four hours. Part I Examination in Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery. Content The examination involves diagnostic, intraoperative, and perioperative care of the podiatric surgical patient pertaining to RRA procedures. Schedule The examination includes a maximum of 125 multiple-choice questions and a maximum of eight CBPS cases administered in one session lasting no more than four hours. Page 21
Part II Examinations The Part II examinations serve to evaluate the candidate's knowledge and skills in obtaining and interpreting clinical information as well as the ability to reason logically and to arrive at a diagnosis or treatment plan for a specific patient presentation. General Information Format The Part II examination consists of two components. The first component is an analysis of cases selected by the ABFAS for Case Analysis. The second component is the CBPS assessment. The ABFAS administers the CBPS at Pearson VUE testing centers in May. The candidate must successfully complete both components of the process to become Board Certified. Case Analysis consists of the evaluation of all aspects of surgical cases performed by candidates, including surgical decision-making, preoperative clinical assessment, preoperative radiographic assessment, technical skills assessment, and outcomes analysis. During the CBPS assessment, the computer presents the candidate with a patient scenario, and the candidate interactively enters selections from lists and moves through the question to completion. Scoring The Board of Directors sets a passing score based on psychometric evaluation of the examination. Review of Scores For accuracy, there is a review and recheck of failing scores. Therefore, once the ABFAS mails examination results to candidates, there is no further review of scores. Part II Examination in Foot Surgery Schedule Candidates take the CBPS questions by computer. Content The questions involve diagnostic and perioperative care of the podiatric surgical patient, encompassing the foot and ankle. Intraoperative areas include surgical procedures of the entire foot with the exception of reconstructive rearfoot and ankle procedures. Passing Score The Board of Directors sets a passing score based on psychometric evaluation of the examination. Part II Examination in Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery Schedule Candidates take the CBPS questions by computer. Page 22
Content Questions involve diagnostic, intraoperative, and perioperative care of the podiatric surgical patient pertaining to reconstructive rearfoot and ankle procedures. Passing Score The Board of Directors sets a passing score based on psychometric evaluation of the examination. Effects of Passing or Failing Examinations Table 2 on page 19 shows the effects of passing or failing various parts of the Part II examinations. Table 1 on page 12 lists the effects of passing or failing the Part I examinations. The ABFAS provides examination scores or results for failed examinations. The ABFAS does not provide copies of the test items since all questions remain in the active examination item pool for future use, unless removed by authority of the psychometric consultant or the Examinations Committee. Notification The ABFAS mails examination results in an envelope marked "Personal and Confidential." Candidates taking both Part I and Part II examinations do not receive final results until after scoring of the Part II examinations. The ABFAS posts results on the candidate s ABFAS personal page at www.abfas.org on the day of mailing the results. Candidates need their ABFAS username and password to access their personal page. Fees and Refunds Payment of Fees Fees must be paid by debit card or credit card (VISA, MasterCard, or American Express). Fees are listed in Table 3 on page 244. Please do not ask to make payment arrangements. Refunds, Late Withdrawals, and Rollovers No Refund of Application Fee The application fee is nonrefundable. A candidate selected for a multiyear residency program after applying for Part I receives a refund of the application fee, provided the candidate notifies ABFAS of the withdrawal prior to the deadline. Late Withdrawal Fee The ABFAS may assess a late withdrawal fee on withdrawals received after May 5, 2015 for the May examinations and October 9, 2015 for the October examinations. New Application Fee There is a new application fee when candidates reactivate their applications after withdrawing from an examination and receiving a refund of the examination fees. No Shows Any candidate who does not appear for the examination and who has not withdrawn before the day of the examination will forfeit all fees. Page 23
Table 3 Required Fees for 2015 ABFAS Examinations Part I Part II Foot Surgery RRA Surgery Foot Surgery RRA Surgery Application fee* $225 Application fee* $225 Application fee* $225 Application fee* $225 Didactic examination fee $425 Didactic examination fee $425 CBPS examination fee $425 CBPS examination fee $425 CBPS examination fee $425 CBPS examination fee $425 Case Analysis fee $475 Case Analysis fee $475 Didactic reexamination fee $425 Didactic reexamination fee $425 CBPS reexamination fee $425 CBPS reexamination fee $425 CBPS reexamination fee $425 CBPS reexamination fee $425 Case Analysis reexamination fee $475 Case Analysis reexamination fee $475 Late Withdrawal fee $150 Late Withdrawal fee $150 Late Withdrawal fee Both parts $250 One part $150 Late Withdrawal fee Both parts $250 One part $150 *The $225 application fee is nonrefundable. Candidates applying for more than one examination in the same year pay only one application fee. Candidates applying for reexamination or reactivation do not pay an application fee. The ABFAS evaluates and scores all cases based on the materials provided. Missing materials may result in a lower total score. Page 24