ABFAS Credential Renewal 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How many Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits must an ABFAS diplomate earn per 3-year cycle to maintain board certification?
- 50 credits
- 75 credits
- 100 credits (Correct answer)
- 150 credits
Correct answer: 100 credits
ABFAS requires 100 CME credits per 3-year renewal cycle for credential maintenance.
Question 2: Which category of CME credits is specifically required by ABFAS and must be directly related to foot and ankle surgery?
- Category II credits
- Category I credits (Correct answer)
- Elective credits
- Administrative credits
Correct answer: Category I credits
ABFAS requires Category I CME credits that are relevant to foot and ankle surgical practice.
Question 3: What happens to an ABFAS diplomate's certification status if they fail to complete the renewal requirements by the deadline?
- Automatic 6-month grace period is granted
- Certification lapses and diplomate is listed as non-certified (Correct answer)
- Certification is permanently revoked without appeal
- A $100 late fee is charged with no other consequences
Correct answer: Certification lapses and diplomate is listed as non-certified
Failure to meet renewal deadlines results in certification lapse and the diplomate is removed from the certified list.
Question 4: An ABFAS diplomate has been certified in Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle (CRRFA) only. Which renewal pathway applies to them?
- They follow the CCFAS renewal pathway exclusively
- They follow the CRRFA-specific renewal requirements (Correct answer)
- They must renew both credentials simultaneously
- No separate pathway exists; one renewal covers all credentials
Correct answer: They follow the CRRFA-specific renewal requirements
ABFAS offers separate credentials (CCFAS and CRRFA), each with its own renewal requirements and pathways.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes the Osteoporosis self-assessment tool component sometimes included in ABFAS renewal?
- A surgical simulation requirement
- A practice quality improvement (PQI) module (Correct answer)
- A physical fitness certification
- An ethics course completion
Correct answer: A practice quality improvement (PQI) module
Practice Quality Improvement (PQI) modules are designed to help diplomates assess and improve their clinical practice.
Question 6: A diplomate who earned their ABFAS certificate in 2018 would be due for their first credential renewal in which year?
- 2021
- 2022
- 2023 (Correct answer)
- 2024
Correct answer: 2023
ABFAS uses a 5-year renewal cycle from the date of initial certification, placing the first renewal in 2023 for a 2018 certificate.
Question 7: Which of the following activities would NOT typically qualify for CME credit toward ABFAS credential renewal?
- Attending an APMA annual conference
- Completing an online surgical module from ACFAS
- Participating in a hospital-based grand rounds
- Shadowing a non-surgical colleague in a general practice (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Shadowing a non-surgical colleague in a general practice
Passive shadowing without a formal educational structure does not qualify for accredited CME credit.
ABFAS Credential Renewal 2
How many Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits must an ABFAS diplomate earn per 3-year cycle to maintain board certification?