Latest ABFAS Examination Pass Rates Show Why Certificate of Added Qualification in Surgery from ABPM is Unnecessary

Note: It is important for patients, providers and the podiatric community to understand the differences between ABFAS Board Certification and ABPM’s unrecognized CAQ in podiatric surgery. The two are not comparable credentials. Learn more now.

August 17, 2022

Today, the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ABFAS) released the most recent examination pass rate data from candidates undertaking the two-step process to earn the only CPME recognized certification for podiatric surgery in the United States. A full overview of the data is below.

Notably, the new ABFAS examination pass rate data illustrates why the rationale behind a new, unrecognized CAQ in Podiatric Surgery being offered by the American Board of Podiatric Medicine (ABPM) is unnecessary and would, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), be a "duplication of what is already offered by the recognized board for certification in surgery," "confuse and mislead the public," and cause "greater confusion for other health-care specialties, insurance companies, state legislators, and hospitals, which already frequently mischaracterize podiatrists’ education, training, and certification.”

The data, which ABFAS publishes each year in its Annual Newsletter and in conjunction with its Annual Meeting, show consistent pass rates in the 65 to 95 percent range, undercutting ABPM's unfounded narrative about discrimination against highly competent podiatrists and allegedly very low ABFAS examination pass rates. 

"The truth in these numbers is that ABFAS is doing its job of certifying highly qualified podiatrists for surgery, with meaningful numbers of new certifications given each year," said ABFAS President Amberly Paradoa, DPM D.ABFAS. "There is no evidence that these numbers are somehow holding back podiatrists. In fact, they show that ABFAS is helping to provide confidence and clarity to patients and hospitals, who recognize that certification in surgery from ABFAS means more highly competent and trained podiatrists. This data stands in stark contrast to ABPM's new surgical CAQ, which risks creating massive confusion and raising doubts among patients and hospitals."

One item of note: 78 percent of the 2022 residency class has benefited from counting their Fall 2021 Final-year In-training examinations toward Board Qualification.
 


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