Pathway to Certification
Note: ABFAS is transitioning its ten-year Maintenance of Certification programs to the LEAD program, a process of continuous certification based on a longitudinal assessment. All diplomates, regardless of certification year, will participate in the new program starting in 2022, and at that time ABFAS will no longer conduct recertification/self-assessment examinations. Learn more on the LEAD program webpage.
From Students to Diplomates: Detailed Pathway to Certification
Graduate from a CPME accredited 4-year podiatric college
Focus on gaining a high GPA
Consider extra-curricular activities
Research residency programs to find the best fit for you
Complete a CPME accredited 3-year minimum residency program
Practice with the ABFAS In-training Examination (ITE). Candidates will be able to use their passing ITE score for qualification purposes upon payment of a qualification fee.
Log cases in PRR and meet MAV diversity requirements
Successfully Complete Board Qualification Examinations
- Foot Surgery Didactic
- NEW Foot Surgery CBPS
- RRA Surgery Didactic (if pursuing)
- NEW RRA Surgery CBPS (if pursuing)
Submit the following to ABFAS:
- Residency Completion Certificate
- Active, unrestricted, state podiatric medical license
- Proof of surgical hospital privileges
Once Qualified, pay the ABFAS Annual Fee
Candidates should log all cases in PLS for which they are the surgeon of record, post-residency until the passing of Case Review.
Successfully Complete Board Certification Examinations
- Foot Surgery Case Review
- RRA Surgery Case Review (if pursuing)
As of September 2020, candidates will need to pass the NEW CBPS exam if they have not yet already passed the old Part II CBPS examination.
Submit the following to ABFAS:
- Active, unrestricted, state podiatric medical license
- Proof of surgical hospital privileges
Once Certified, pay the ABFAS Annual Fee
Candidates should log all cases in PLS for which they are the surgeon of record, post-residency until the passing of Case Review.
Complete the LEAD program requirements during each ten-year cycle.
- Participate in LEAD.
- Meet the MDT p-value standard.
- Obtain 100 CMEs each five-year period.
- Be surgically active.
- Submit proof of surgical hospital privileges.
- Pay the ABFAS annual fee.
- Participate in LEAD.
- Obtain 100 CMEs each five-year period.
- Submit proof of surgical hospital privileges.
- Pay the ABFAS annual fee.
Time-limited Certification Requirements:
Lifetime Certification Requirements: