Active Certification Requirements

On this webpage, ABFAS provides Non-assessment Requirements for both Diplomates with Time-limited Certificates (Certified after 1990) and Lifetime Certificates (certified before 1991).

Non-assessment Requirements: (Post-1990) Time-limited Certificate

Podiatric license  

Maintain an active, unrestricted podiatric license in the US or Canada. Diplomates must report any change in licensing status to ABFAS (licenses@abfas.org). 

Surgical privileges 

Maintain active surgical privileges at a hospital or surgical center and send proof of privileges to ABFAS (privileges@abfas.org). Documentation must contain the signature of a hospital/surgery center official if possible or be on the letterhead of hospital/surgery center. View a sample of a hospital/surgical center privilege letter. 

Note: If you are no longer actively performing foot and/or ankle surgery but still practicing podiatry, you may be eligible for “Certified: Surgically Inactive” status. You still need to meet other Continuous Certification requirements, but your hospital privileges do not need to be surgical. Please contact info@abfas.org or call our office at 415.553.7800 for more information. 

Continuing Education (CE) Credits  

Obtain 100 hours of Category 1 and/or CPME approved CME credits, which includes: 

• participating in 100 hours of Category 1* or CPME-approved continuing education (CE) credits in each five-year period per 10-year cycle.
• ensuring CE credits are pertinent to the practice of podiatric medicine and/or surgery and cannot include practice management. Risk management credits are allowed.  
  

*Category 1 activities are those that have been approved an accredited sponsor. An Accredited Sponsor may include, but is not limited to, CPME, AMA, and AOA. 

Diplomates will attest to continuing education credits during the LEAD registration process. There is no need to send in documentation during registration; however, ABFAS may perform audits to ensure Diplomates’ attestations are accurate. 

Foot and/or RRA Surgery 

Diplomates must attest to having performed Foot and/or RRA surgery within the last two (2) years. ABFAS may perform audits to ensure the accuracy of the submitted data. 

Please note that ABFAS may perform random audits of Diplomates' online attestations of CE requirements and surgical activity.

Non-assessment Requirements: (Pre-1991) Lifetime Certificate

Podiatric license  

Maintain an active, unrestricted podiatric license in the US or Canada. Diplomates must report any change in licensing status to ABFAS (licenses@abfas.org). 

Surgical privileges 

Maintain active surgical privileges at a hospital or surgical center and send proof of privileges to ABFAS (privileges@abfas.org). Documentation must contain the signature of a hospital/surgery center official if possible or be on the letterhead of hospital/surgery center. View a sample of a hospital/surgical center privilege letter. 

Note: If you are no longer actively performing foot and/or ankle surgery but still practicing podiatry, you may be eligible for “Certified: Surgically Inactive” status. You still need to meet other Continuous Certification requirements, but your hospital privileges do not need to be surgical. Please contact info@abfas.org or call our office at 415.553.7800 for more information. 

Continuing Education (CE) Credits  

Obtain 100 hours of Category 1 and/or CPME approved CME credits, which includes: 

• participating in 100 hours of Category 1* or CPME-approved continuing education (CE) credits in each five-year period per 10-year cycle.
• ensuring CE credits are pertinent to the practice of podiatric medicine and/or surgery and cannot include practice management. Risk management credits are allowed.  
  

*Category 1 activities are those that have been approved an accredited sponsor. An Accredited Sponsor may include, but is not limited to, CPME, AMA, and AOA. 

Diplomates will attest to continuing education credits during the LEAD registration process. There is no need to send in documentation during registration; however, ABFAS may perform audits to ensure Diplomates’ attestations are accurate.