Application Qualifications for ABBM Board Certification
Qualifications for Certification
| • | A copy of each of the state, providence or jurisdictional licenses in which the applicant is entitled to practice medicine. |
| • | A copy of the applicant’s DEA registration certificate. |
| • | Proof of completion of U.S. medical residency. |
| • | A signed Declaration and Consent form. |
| • | A copy of the applicant’s CME certificates relating to bariatric medicine within the twenty-four (24) months preceding the final application deadline. Applicants must have a minimum of 50 credit hours in category 1 AMA PRA- courses in this 24-month time span. |
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CME Credit Rules
Bariatric CME credits will be accepted from any CME activities that are focused specifically and solely on obesity, as long as the activity was approved for ACCME Category 1 credits. Credits from CME activities on obesity co-morbidities will only be approved for the number of hours that obesity treatment was the focus of the activity. An activity outline, including lecture topics and the length of each lecture must be submitted. Credits may come from in-person activities or self-study in any combination of the two to attain the 50 credits needed.
Application Approval
The ABBM will notify applicants if they are, or are not, accepted as candidates for certification. ABBM, acting as a committee of the whole, reserves the right to deny or revoke certification if granting certification or permitting continuance of certification would adversely affect ABBM or is not in the best interest of patient health or public welfare or safety. If the applicant wishes to exercise the right to appeal this decision, the applicant must inform ABBM in writing of this intention within thirty (30) days of the date of receipt of written notification of the decision not to accept the application.
Any candidate whose license to practice medicine has been revoked, restricted or suspended in any way shall be ineligible for certification until such time as the encumbered license is reinstated in full. Should a license be revoked, restricted, or suspended following the submission of an application for certification, but prior to the notification of Diplomate status, the application and certification will be simultaneously invalidated.
It is the responsibility of the candidate to inform ABBM in writing immediately upon a change in licensure status. If the candidate fails to notify ABBM of any revocation, restriction, suspension, or probation within 60 days after the effective date, he or she shall be ineligible to seek certification for up to one year following the reinstatement of full and unrestricted licensure.
For purposes of ABBM certification, a medical license is considered to be restricted if it is currently subject to any adverse action by a state or provincial licensing agency which encumbers the ability of a physician to diagnose, manage, and/or treat patients. Questions about licensure should be presented to the ABBM in writing.
ABBM reserves the right to revoke certification erroneously granted to unqualified candidates, including certification granted as a result of clerical errors.
Appeals
Candidates whom ABBM has declared ineligible to sit for the certifying examination on the basis of qualifications may appeal such decisions by written request within 30 days of the date of notification of the Board’s ruling.