08/06/2025    

QUERIES (BOARD CERTIFICATION)

Query: Board Re-Certification

 

I have been board certified in podiatry and podiatric surgery for 15 years with the American Board of Lower Extremity Surgery (ABLES). At the time of certification, they accepted my written board examination passing status through the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ACFAS). I had to undergo re-certification every 5 years through case submission, discussion, and review. ABLES was acquired by another certifying board, who has provided verification of certification status for the past 2 years. With my certification expiring soon, this board has told me that I will have to sit for the board exam and submit 50 surgical cases. 

 

I have been in private practice for 20 years and I never imagined I would be sitting for a board exam at this point in my career. As though running a busy solo practice and fighting with insurance companies was not enough already, this adds a bit of stress (not to mention the expense of the application and testing). Is there any advice from others? I have already spoken on the phone with the president of the new certifying board and have gotten nowhere. Another certifying board that I contacted also requires the same process.

 

Richard D Wolff, DPM, Oregon, OH

Other messages in this thread:

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07/05/2024    

QUERIES (BOARD CERTIFICATION)

Query: Questions About One Podiatry Board

 

How will the surgical competency of podiatrists be evaluated with the new, single podiatry board certification? Will competency be assessed in a way similar to the current ABFAS model where individual surgical cases are scrutinized? Will a finite number of each type of surgery need to be performed?

 

Carl Speer, DPM, Pensacola, FL