Recertification Process

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.

Recertification Requirements (Post-1990) Time-limited Certificate

Maintenance of Certification Requirements (Post-1990) Time-limited Certificate: 

License

Maintain an active, unrestricted podiatric license in the US or Canada. Diplomates must report any change in licensing status to ABFAS.

Privileges

Maintain active surgical privileges at a hospital or surgical center and send proof of privileges to ABFAS. 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.

Continuing Education (CE)

Obtain 200 hours of Category 1* CME credits, which includes:

• Participating in 200 hours of Category 1 or CPME-approved continuing education (CE) credits per 10-year cycle
• Ensuring all CE credits are pertinent to the practice of podiatric medicine and/or surgery (not including practice management, but including risk management)

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

Obtaining Documentation of CE Credits

Diplomates must attest to their CE credits when registering for the recertification examinations. Diplomates do not need to provide documentation. ABFAS may perform audits to ensure the accuracy of submitted data.

CME Proration Information

Continuing education credit requirements will be prorated per year as follows:

2016 – 20 credits                             2021 – 120 credits
2017 – 40 credits                             2022 – 140 credits
2018 – 60 credits                             2023 – 160 credits
2019 – 80 credits                             2024 – 180 credits
2020 – 100 credits                   All years after 2024 – 200 credits

Examination

Diplomates must pass the Recertification Examination(s). Learn more about the Recertification Examinations on the Exam Overview page.

Surgical Attestation

Diplomates must attest to having performed Foot and/or RRA surgery within the last two (2) years during the recertification exam registration process.

Certified: Surgically Inactive Status

Diplomates who are no longer actively doing foot and/or ankle surgery, but are still practicing podiatry, may be eligible for “Certified: Surgically Inactive” status. Diplomates must maintain MOC requirements and hospital privileges but not necessarily surgical privileges.

For more information, email ABFAS at info@abfas.org or call our office at 415.553.7800.

Three-year Window of Opportunity

Diplomate must pass the examination in either the 8^th, 9^th, or 10^th year of their MOC cycle.

ABFAS encourages Diplomates to take the recertification exam before their 10^th year.

Failure to pass the Foot Surgery Recertification and/or RRA Surgery Recertification Examination within the three-year window results in the Diplomate’s status expiring, and the Diplomate must apply to reestablish board certification. For more information, see our Policy page.