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ABFAS 110-2017

Information and Requirements For Board Certification

Part I and Part II

American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery®

445 Fillmore Street

San Francisco, CA 94117

(415) 553-7800

www.abfas.org

October 2016

This document contains information specific to the 2017 examinations only.

http://www.abfas.org/

ABFAS 110 (October 2016) American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery®

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 ..................................................................... 18

Table 2 ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 20

Effects of Passing or Failing the Part II Examinations .......................................................................................................... 20

Examination Information ......................................................................................................................................................... 21

Part I Examinations .............................................................................................................................................................. 21

Part II Examinations ............................................................................................................................................................. 23

Fees and Refunds ..................................................................................................................................................................... 24

Table 3 ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 25

Required Fees for 2017 ABFAS Examinations ...................................................................................................................... 25

Copyright © 2016 ABFAS. Any unauthorized use, modification, reproduction, display, publication, performance, or distribution of this work without the prior written consent of 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 ABFAS. Nondiscrimination Policy. In accordance with applicable federal laws, the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery® 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 provided the candidate submits a written request and all required documentation no later than thirty (30) days prior to the date(s) of the examination. Candidates will find additional information including how to apply on the ABFAS website.


The American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery® (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 achieving Board Qualified status in 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 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 candidate who becomes board qualified in 2016 must pass Part II by December 2023.

Common Terms Used in this Document

CBPS – Computer-based Patient Simulation

PLS – Podiatry Logging System

Important Information - Part I examinations leading to Board Qualified status

Calendar of Important Dates

March 2017 Part I Examinations October 2017 Part I Examinations

November 1, 2016 Registration opens August 15, 2017

February 24, 2017 Registration closes October 3, 2017

March 3, 2017 Last day to withdraw w/o penalty October 10, 2017

March 10, 2017 Administration of examination October 17, 2017

ABFAS offers the Part I Foot and RRA examinations on March 10, 2017 and October 17, 2017, at testing centers throughout the United States. Candidates may register beginning November 1, 2016 for the March examinations and August 15, 2017 for the October examinations. ABFAS strongly encourages early registration to lessen the possibility of having to travel to a distant testing center. See Registration process on page 8.

The 2017 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.


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 Candidates who completed one of the following Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME)-approved residency programs prior to the end of calendar year 2017 can register for the Part I Certification in Foot Surgery examination(s):

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 or 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.

Part I Certification in Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery Candidates who completed one of the following CPME-approved residency programs prior to the end of calendar year 2017 can register for the Part I Certification in Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery examination(s):

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 to Become Board Qualified Candidates sitting for Part I examinations must have completed the minimum surgical training requirements of their residency 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) through Podiatry Residency Resource (PRR).

If Board Qualified status in Foot Surgery expires before Board Qualified status in Reconstructive

Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery, 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 registration




Important Information - Part II examinations leading to Board Certified status Calendar of Important Dates May 2017 Part II Examinations – Candidates registering for Case Review

November 1, 2016 Registration opens

December 9, 2016 Registration and fees due

December 13, 2016 Candidates receive instructions for Facility Surgical Practice Verification and Facility Surgical Procedure List Attestation

January 6, 2017 Deadline for Facility Surgical Procedure List Attestation

January 20, 2017 Those who pass the facility list audit receive email notification that the list of procedures for complete case documentation is available on candidate’s PLS site

March 9, 2017 Last day to withdraw from Case Review w/o penalty

March 10, 2017 Deadline for candidate submission of complete case documentation. You must upload by 11:59 pm Pacific time on March 10, 2017.


May 2017 Part II Examinations – Candidates registering for CBPS November 1, 2016 Registration opens May 4, 2017 Deadline to register May 11, 2017 Last day to withdraw w/o penalty May 18, 2016 Administration of CBPS examination In 2009, ABFAS established the Podiatry Logging Service for Surgery (PLS), where surgeons can log surgical procedures. Candidates for Foot or both Foot and RRA certification must log in PLS all surgical procedures performed January 1, 2010 or later (or when candidate first achieved Board Qualified status subsequent to January 1, 2010). Candidates currently certified in Foot surgery seeking only RRA certification are only required to log all RRA procedures performed January 1, 2010 or later (or when candidate first achieved Board Qualified status subsequent to January 1, 2010. 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 an accredited healthcare facility which includes, but is not limited to, a facility that is

accredited by The Joint Commission (The 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). Any Medicare-certified facility also meets the required definition.

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 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 2017 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), 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.



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.




If status in Foot Surgery expires before status in RRA Surgery, 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. ABFAS 220-2017, Instructions for Submitting Case Documentation, contains information concerning preparation of procedure documentation, the registration process, and fees. Registering for Part I of the Certification Examinations Membership in Other Organizations

ABFAS certification requires no affiliation with other professional organizations. Definitions

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).

Registration process

Candidates must register online using their ABFAS username and password at www.abfas.org. The registration window opens on November 1, 2016 for the March Part I and Part II examinations, and August 15, 2017 for the October Part I examinations. 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 register is February 24, 2017 for the March Part I examinations, May 4, 2017 for the May Part II examinations and October 3, 2017 for the October examinations. Candidates registering for Part II case review process must complete the registration and pay fees by December 9, 2016.

Duration of Board Qualified status

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 achieving Board Qualified status in 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 registration Board Qualified Letter

ABFAS issues a Board Qualified letter bearing the embossed seal of 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 ABFAS. Bylaws

By registering, the candidate certifies agreement and compliance with the Bylaws of the American Board of Podiatric Surgery® (dba American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery®). 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 March 3, 2017, for the March examinations and October 10, 2017, for the October examination. Late withdrawal results in a penalty fee. Candidates must obtain a late withdrawal number confirming withdrawal from the examination. ABFAS requires no additional application fee if the Candidate registers for another exam during the same calendar year.

No Shows

Candidates who fail to appear and have not obtained a verified withdrawal number forfeit all fees.

Reexamination Candidates may apply for reexamination provided all registration criteria are met. ABFAS offers the Part I Foot and RRA examinations on March 10, 2017 and October 17, 2017 at testing centers throughout the United States and Canada (and internationally if military). Candidates taking both Part I examinations sit for those examinations on the same day. ABFAS strongly encourages early registration to secure a preferred location. See Registration process on page 10. Candidates must register online by no later than February 24, 2017 for the March examinations and October 3, 2017 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.” ABFAS does not grant Board Qualified status until verification of requirements 2 and 3 below.

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.

2. Completion of a CPME-approved Surgical Residency ABFAS advises residents to review carefully the CPME 320 requirements and to verify with their program director that they have met the requirements.

Foot Surgery Completion of one of the following requirements: a. Two years’ CPME-approved residency training (12 months of which must be in a CPME-

approved 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


Residents issued a completion certificate from CPME-approved training programs by December 31, 2017, may register to take the 2017 Part I examinations. ABFAS will not declare candidates who pass a Part I examination as Board Qualified until ABFAS receives a copy or copies of the residency completion certificate(s) and verifies completion of surgical requirements through Podiatry Residency Resource (PRR). 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 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.

ABFAS requires submission of all logs through PRR. ABFAS will not release Board Qualified letters until receiving and approving the complete and verified surgical case log.


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, ABFAS will release the Board Qualified letter. ABFAS will not grant Board Qualified status and will void examination results if ABFAS does not receive the residency completion certificate(s) and the residency case log by August 31, 2018. The candidate must reapply to take the Part I examination(s) and meet all current requirements for Part I registration; and there will be no refund of any application or examination fees.

REMAINDER

OF PAGE

INTENTIONALLY

BLANK


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

Foot Surgery only

Didactic

Section

CBPS

Section

Didactic

Section

CBPS

Section

Pass Pass

Board Qualified Foot Surgery.

Pass Fail Credit for passing Foot didactic section; no ABFAS

status.

Fail Pass Credit for passing Foot CBPS section; no ABFAS

status.

Both Examinations

Part I Foot Surgery

Part I RRA Surgery

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.

RRA only Passed in previous

years (status active).

Pass Pass Board Qualified in RRA Surgery; retains Foot

Surgery qualified*/certified status.

Fail Pass Credit for passing RRA CBPS section; no RRA

status.

Retains Foot Surgery qualified*/certified status.

Pass Fail Credit for passing RRA didactic section; no RRA

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.


Part II Board Certification

General Information on Registering for Part II of the Certification Examination Membership in Other Organizations

ABFAS certification requires no affiliation with other professional organizations. Definitions

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 2017 Case Review process may also take the Part II administration of the CBPS examination. Candidates must pass the Case Review process and the CBPS examination to achieve board certification. ABFAS reports results of the Case Review process and CBPS examination separately. Candidates passing the Case Review process or the CBPS of the Part II examination receive credit for the portion passed, but no ABFAS status. CBPS or Case Review credit is valid for the year received, plus the following six (6) years.

Case Logging

In 2009, ABFAS established the Podiatry Logging Service for Surgery (PLS), where surgeons can log their surgical procedures. Candidates for Foot or both Foot and RRA certification must log in PLS all surgical procedures performed January 1, 2010 or later (or when candidate first achieved Board Qualified status subsequent to January 1, 2010). Candidates currently certified in Foot surgery seeking only RRA certification are only required to log all RRA procedures performed January 1, 2010 or later (or when candidate first achieved Board Qualified status subsequent to January 1, 2010).


Case Selection ABFAS selects u p t o 1 3 Foot Surgery cases and/or up to 13 Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery cases from the candidate’s logs recorded on PLS (see ABFAS document 220 for instructions on submitting case documentation). Candidates register for the Part II certification examination online through their personal page at www.abfas.org by December 9, 2016. 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 if you have forgotten it.

Facility Case List Verification

Candidates must log on PLS all surgical cases performed in accredited facilities. Candidates for Foot or both Foot and RRA certification must log in PLS all surgical procedures performed January 1, 2010 or later (or when candidate first achieved Board Qualified status subsequent to January 1, 2010). Candidates currently certified in Foot surgery seeking only RRA certification are only required to log all RRA procedures performed January 1, 2010 or later (or when candidate first achieved Board Qualified status subsequent to January 1, 2010). Failure to log all surgical cases on PLS will result in the candidate being denied access to the Case Review examination for that year, at the discretion of ABFAS. 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:



Candidates receive instructions for

Facility Surgical Practice Verification and

Facility Surgical Procedure List Attestation

12/13/2016

Facility Case

Materials Due

1/6/2017

All Compatible Facility

Lists Reviewed

Candidate fails

facility case audit

Candidate passes

facility case audit

Cases selected

1/20/2017

Complete Case

Submission Due

3/10/2017

No Cases Selected

May reapply for 2018

Registration Closes

12/9/2016

Registration Opens

11/1/2016


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). Medicare-approved facilities also meet the definition.

Period of Certification Initial certification is for a period of ten (10) years.

Diplomate Certificates

On successful completion of all certification requirements, ABFAS issues appropriate certificates confirming the candidate to be a:

Diplomate of the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery® with Certification in Foot Surgery

and (if applicable) Diplomate of the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery® with Certification in Reconstructive

Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery Bylaws

Registering for an ABFAS exam certifies agreement and compliance with the Bylaws of the American Board of Podiatric Surgery® (dba American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery®). 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 2025, 2026 and 2027. Complete information can be found in ABFAS 112-2017 online at www.abfas.org.

Withdrawal

Candidates may withdraw from the CBPS examination process by notifying ABFAS by fax, e-mail, or mail received no later than May 11, 2017. 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.

Requirements for Part II Foot Surgery Examination

Clinical Experience Candidates must meet the surgical case volume and diversity requirements before registering for case review (refer to the ABFAS 220-2017).

Completion of CPME-approved Surgical Residency Candidates must submit photocopies of all residency completion certificates received from CPME-approved




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 registering for an exam. 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).




Current Hospital Surgical Privileges

Candidates must have current hospital surgical privileges in foot surgery to register for the Part II Certification in Foot Surgery Examination. See ABFAS 220-2017 for details.

Case Selection

ABFAS selects up to 13 Foot Surgery cases from the candidate’s logs recorded in Podiatry Logging Service for Surgery (PLS). 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 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.

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 achieving Board Qualified status in 2 0 1 4 or later have seven (7) years from the time they became qualified to become Board Certified.

All first-time candidates participating in the 2017 Case Review process may also take the May Part II administration of the CBPS examination. Candidates must pass the Case Review process and the CBPS examination to achieve board certification. Candidates passing the Case Review process or the CBPS of the Part II examination receive credit for the portion passed, but no ABFAS status. CBPS or Case Review credit is valid for the year received, plus the following six (6) years.

The Table 2 on page 20 lists the effects of passing or failing various parts of the examinations. ABFAS provides examination scores or results for failed examinations. 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 20.

Clinical Experience Candidates must have completed the surgical case volume and diversity requirements b e fore registering. (refer to ABFAS 220-2017).

Completion of a CPME-approved Surgical Residency

Candidates must submit photocopies of all residency completion certificates received from CPME-approved 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 registering.



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.

Current Hospital Surgical Privileges

ABFAS requires current hospital surgical privileges in reconstructive rearfoot/ankle surgery to register for Part II of the Certification in Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery Examination. See ABFAS 220-2017 for details.

Case Selection

ABFAS selects up to 13 r econstructive rearfoot/ankle s urgery cases from the candidate’s logs recorded in Podiatry Logging Service for Surgery (PLS). 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 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 achieving Board Qualified status in 2014 or later have seven (7) years from the time they became Board Qualified to become Board Certified.

All first-time candidates participating in the 2017 Case Review process may a l so take the May Part II administration of the CBPS examination. Candidates must pass the Review process and the CBPS examination to achieve board certification. Candidates passing the Case Review process or the CBPS of the Part II examination receive credit for the portion passed, but no ABFAS status. CBPS or Case Review credit is valid for the year received plus the following six (6) years.

Table 2 on page 20 lists the effects of passing or failing various parts of the examinations.

ABFAS provides examination scores or results for failed examinations. 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.


Table 2 Effects of Passing or Failing the Part II Examinations

Examination(s)

Being Taken

Foot Surgery

Results

RRA Surgery

results New Status Achieved

Part II Foot Surgery

only

Case

review

CBPS

Portion

Case

Review

CBPS

Portion

Pass Pass Board Certified Foot Surgery.

Pass Fail Credit for passing Foot Case Review; no certified status

Fail Pass Credit for passing Foot CBPS portion; no certified status

Both Examinations

Part II Foot Surgery

Part II RRA Surgery

Pass Pass Pass Pass Board Certified in Foot surgery.

Board Certified in RRA Surgery.

Pass Pass Fail Fail Board Certified in Foot Surgery.

Pass Pass Pass Fail Board Certified in Foot Surgery.

Credit for passing RRA Case Review; no certified status

Pass Pass Fail Pass Board Certified in Foot Surgery.

Credit for passing RRA CBPS portion; no certified status

Pass Fail Fail Fail Credit for passing Foot Case Review; no certified status.

Fail Pass Pass Pass Credit for passing Foot CBPS portion

Credit for passing Part II RRA examination; no board status

Fail Pass Fail Pass Credit for passing Foot CBPS portion;*** credit for passing RRA CBPS

portion. no board status

Fail Pass Pass Fail Credit for passing Foot CBPS portion;*** credit for passing RRA Case

Review

Fail Fail Pass Pass Credit for passing Part II RRA examination; no board status.

Fail Fail Fail Pass Credit for passing RRA objective portion

Part II RRA only Passed in previous

years (status active).

Pass Pass Board Certified in RRA Surgery

Fail Pass Credit for passing RRA CBPS portion no RRA certified status.

Retains Foot Surgery certified status.

Pass Fail Credit for passing RRA Case Review; no RRA certified status.

Retains Foot Surgery certified status.

Credit for passed portions is for the year of the exam plus six years or until eligibility expires. Please read carefully and

entirely this ABFAS 110 document for a detailed explanation.


Examination Information

The Part I examinations are computer- administered test(s) at Pearson VUE testing centers. ABFAS offers the Part I Foot and RRA examinations on March 10, 2017 and October 17, 2017. Candidates taking both Part I examinations take those examinations on the same day. Examination site selection opens November 1, 2016 for the March examinations and August 15, 2017 for the October examinations. Candidates must pay all fees before receiving access to site selection. 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 18, 2017, ABFAS administers the CBPS portion of the Part II examinations as a computer-administered test(s) at Pearson VUE testing centers.

Examination Study Guide (ABFAS 420) and Computer-based Patient Simulation (CBPS) practice cases ABFAS offers an Online Study Guide at www.abfas.org. Click on Resources in the tool bar at the top of the home page. From the drop down list, select Documents. Go to the 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. There are also separate links to the didactic and CPBS practice exams. ABFAS strongly encourages candidates to access the Computer-based Patient Simulation practice cases on the ABFAS website.

Examination Admission

Candidates sitting for the Part I examination(s) will receive a confirmation letter after registering for the exam after scheduling with Pearson Vue. The testing center requires candidates to provide two forms of identification, one of which must be a valid, government-issued photo ID that also has the candidate’s signature (e.g., driver’s license or passport).

Candidates sitting for the CBPS portion of the Part II examination(s) will receive a confirmation letter after scheduling with Pearson Vue. The testing center requires candidates to provide two forms of identification, one of which must be a valid, government-issued photo ID that also has the candidate’s signature (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.


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

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 ABFAS mails examination results to candidates, there is no further review of scores.

Inclusion of Nonscored Questions 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.


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 ABFAS for Case Review. The second component is the CBPS assessment. 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 Review 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 ABFAS mails examination results to candidates, there is no further review of scores.

Part II Examination in Foot Surgery Format

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

Format Candidates take the CBPS questions by computer.


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 1 on page 12 lists the effects of passing or failing the Part I examinations. Table 2 on page 20 shows the effects of passing or failing various parts of the Part II examinations.

ABFAS provides examination scores or results for failed examinations. 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 ABFAS will alert candidates via email as to when their exam results are posted on the candidate’s ABFAS personal page at www.abfas.org.

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 26. Please do not ask to make payment arrangements.

Refunds, Late Withdrawals, and Rollovers No Refund of Application Fee

The application fee is nonrefundable.

Late Withdrawal Fee ABFAS may assess a late withdrawal fee on withdrawals received after March 3, 2017 for the March examinations, May 11, 2017 for the May examinations and October 10, 2017 for the October examinations.

New Application Fee There is a new application fee when candidates register again 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.


Table 3

Required Fees for 2017 ABFAS Examinations

Part I

Part II

Foot Surgery

RRA Surgery

Foot Surgery

RRA Surgery

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 Review fee $475

Case Review fee $475

Didactic reexamination fee $425

Didactic reexamination fee $425

CBPS reexamination fee $425



CBPS reexamination fee

$425 Case Review reexamination

fee $475 Case Review 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 taking more than one examination in the same calendar year pay only one application fee.

ABPS 110 (September 2009) - American Board of - abfas.org · PDF fileABFAS 110-2017...

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