Have you ever said: "I have to become board certified?"
The importance of board certification has never been more urgent than it is right now in the United States. The number of diabetic patients in most of our practices takes up much of our time and effort. Understanding the nuances of diabetic foot care can be a lifetime educational undertaking.

The American Board of Multiple Specialties in Podiatry offers a certification in Diabetic Foot Wounds and in Foot Wear. We are the only nationally recognized board in podiatry that bestows this credential.

Right now is the time to participate and become board certified in Diabetic Foot Wounds and in Foot Wear. At this moment in time, and this "moment" will not last long, you do not have to have had a residency to be eligible to sit for the examination. Nor are orals required once you have passed.

Kenneth Rehm, DPM of San Marcos, CA has successfully used his board certification to help obtain hospital privileges and bolster his wound care practice: "I cannot say enough good things about our board and, especially, this certification. My diplomate status has opened up a lot of doors to me. I highly recommend that every podiatrist interested in wound care obtain their certification."

Ian Goldbaum, DPM practices in Delray Beach, FL. He tells us that "without my Diabetic Foot Wounds certification, my practice could have been limited to CNC, surgery, and biomechanics; now another more lucrative and challenging direction has opened up…I've never had so many referrals…I truly can think of myself as an "expert" in this subspecialty of podiatry."

Eligibility

Primary Care in Podiatric Medicine:

1. The board shall require candidates for certification to have successfully completed a minimum of two years of post graduate education in academic and/or clinical areas, approved by the CPME or another recognized accrediting body accepted by the CPME. 

Copy of current Podiatric Medical license.

2. Copy of United States (or territorial possession) Podiatric Medical Degree.
3. Three letters of professional recommendation, on letterhead, from fellow podiatrists.
4. Completion of consent form.
5. Post graduate resume, showing podiatric work history from the time of graduation to the present.
6. Completion and filing of the application for the Primary Care in Podiatric Medicine Certification Examination.
7. Payment of required fee(s)
8. Submission and acceptance of at least eight (8) documented primary care cases, which meet established case submission requirements.  Submission of cases must be made within one year of examination date and performed within a two year time frame.

Click here to Download the Handbook and Application now!
Download a PDF document with the case requirements

Podiatric Surgery:

1. The board shall require candidates for certification to have successfully completed a minimum of two years of post graduate education in academic and/or clinical areas, approved by the CPME or another recognized accrediting body accepted by the CPME. 

Copy of current Podiatric Medical license.

1. Copy of United States (or territorial possession) Podiatric Medical Degree.
2. Three letters of professional recommendation, on letterhead, from fellow podiatrists.
3. Completion of consent form.
4. Post graduate resume, showing podiatric work history from the time of graduation to the present.
5. Completion and filing of the application for the Primary Care in Podiatric Medicine Certification Examination.
6. Payment of required fee(s)
7. Submission and acceptance of at least fifty (50) documented surgical cases, which meet established case submission requirements.  Submission of cases must be made within two years of examination date and performed within a four year time frame.

Note Well:  Certification in Podiatric Surgery will be conferred only upon successful completion of certification in Primary Care in Podiatric Medicine.

Click here to Download the Handbook and Application now!
Download a PDF document with the case requirements

Prevention and Treatment of Diabetic Foot Wounds and Foot Wear:

1. Copy of current DPM, DO, or MD license.
2. Copy of United States (or territorial possession) DPM, DO, or MD degree.
3. Three years of current clinical experience related to prevention and treatment of diabetic foot wounds.
4. Copy of current resume or curriculum vitae.
5. Completion of consent form.
6. Three letters of recommendation from fellow DPMs, Dos, or MDs relating to the candidate's experience in diabetic wound care.
7. Payment of required fee.

Click here to Download the Handbook and Application now!

Limb Preservation and Salvage:

1. Licensed as an MD, DO, DPM, or equivalent in other countries (must submit copy of license and degree)
2. Hold current board certification in podiatric medicine, podiatric surgery, or diabetic foot wounds by a recognized certification board by the respective profession (must submit copy of certificate)

*Recommended two (2) years experience in the limb salvage clinical setting

Click here to Download the Handbook and Application now!

Policy on "Grandfathering"

The American Board of Multiple Specialties in Podiatry does not endorse "grandfathering," or certification without examination of any applicant. The Board does not feel it is in the best interest of the public to "grandfather." No board certified member of The American Board of Multiple Specialties in Podiatry has never or will ever attain Board certification without thorough demonstration of the required competency levels.

FAQ

What is Board Eligible status?

Board Eligible indicates that a podiatrist successfully passed the written portion of the certification examination, but still needs to submit cases before the status of Board Certified is given. During this period, the podiatrist is not allowed to advertise they are Board Certified. Board eligibility is valid for one year after passing the Primary Care in Podiatric Medicine examination and valid for two years after passing the Podiatric Surgery examination. At this time, if cases are not submitted, the doctor is no longer Board Eligible, and would need to re-sit for the written examination to start the process over.

How do I apply for an examination?

On this page you can download the Handbook for Candidates which includes an application and consent form. Please read this handbook in full, as it answers many questions regarding eligibility, scheduling and examination, attainment of certification, content outline, etc. When you sign the application, you are attesting you have read and fully understand the contents of the handbook. An application must be complete in order to be eligible to sit for the examination. If you do not pass the examination, you may re-sit for the examination in the future by submitting a new application and paying the examination fee. There are NO refunds of fees.

What do I need to bring with me for the examination?

You will be required to bring the eligibility notice from PTC, your confirmation from PSI/Lasergrade and a government issued photo ID. We do request you bring as little as possible with you to the testing site. The testing center may require you to leave your belongings in a locker or in your car.

When can I submit my cases to become Board Certified?

You can submit your cases anytime after you receive the results that you passed the written portion of the examination. You have up to one year to submit your primary care cases, and up to two years to submit your podiatric surgical cases. Case guidelines for each are further up on this page.

What is the average passing rate for the examination?

These were the passing rates for 2010:
Primary Care in Podiatric Medicine:    Pass rate was 88.5%
Podiatric Surgery:    Pass rate was 85.3%
Diabetic Foot Wounds:    Pass rate was 84.3%