Foot Surgery
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. The Part I 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 Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery procedures.
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.
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.
Board Certified in Foot Surgery is a prerequisite for Board Certified in Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle Surgery.
The current qualifications include:
- Completion of a four-year doctoral training at a Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME) accredited podiatric medical school.
- Completion of residency training program approved by the CPME: 12 months of the training must be in a CPME-approved podiatric surgical residency.
- Submission of verified residency clinical logs through Podiatry Logging Service for Surgery (PLS) documenting the minimum activity volumes and surgical diversity for foot surgery specified by CPME Document 320.
- Approval by the ABFAS Credentials Committee of complete foot surgery case documentation of procedures selected by ABFAS from the list of procedures.
- Passing Part I and Part II of the Certification in Foot Surgery Examination.
- Certificates for Foot Surgery are valid for 10 years. Diplomates who have this certification must pass a recertification examination by the end of the 10th year to maintain their certification.
Board Qualified in Foot Surgery
Board Qualified in Foot Surgery indicates a podiatrist has passed the ABFAS Part I Certification Examination in Foot Surgery, and has demonstrated 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 Foot Surgery status is limited to seven years.
Additional Requirements
- Completion of a four-year doctoral training program at a CPME-accredited podiatric medical school.
- Completion of two years’ residency training at a program approved by the CPME; 12 months of the training must be in a CPME-approved podiatric surgical residency.
- Submission of verified residency clinical logs through Podiatry Residency Resource documenting the minimum activity volume and surgical diversity for foot surgery specified by CPME Document 320