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 licenses@abfas.org).
Surgical Privileges
Maintain active surgical privileges at a hospital or surgical center and send proof of privileges to 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 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 Medical Education (CME) 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 medical education (CME) credits in each five-year period per 10-year cycle.
- Ensuring CME 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 CME 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 random audits to ensure the accuracy of the submitted data.
Non-assessment Requirements: (Pre-1991) Lifetime Certificate
Podiatric License
Maintain an active, unrestricted podiatric license in the United States or Canada. Diplomates must report any change in licensing status to licenses@abfas.org.
Surgical Privileges
Maintain active surgical privileges at a hospital or surgical center and send proof of privileges to 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 Medical Education (CME) 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 medical education (CME) credits in each five-year period per 10-year cycle.
- Ensuring CME 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 CME credits during the LEAD registration process. There is no need to send in documentation during registration; however, ABFAS may perform random audits to ensure Diplomates’ attestations are accurate.