ABFAS Credential Renewal 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the length of the standard ABFAS credential renewal cycle?
- 3 years
- 5 years (Correct answer)
- 7 years
- 10 years
Correct answer: 5 years
ABFAS uses a 5-year renewal cycle for its Continuous Certification (CC) program.
Question 2: The ABFAS Continuous Certification (CC) program replaced which older process?
- Initial board examination
- Recertification examination (Correct answer)
- Oral examination
- Residency review
Correct answer: Recertification examination
The Continuous Certification program replaced the periodic recertification examination that diplomates previously had to retake.
Question 3: Which organization's accreditation is typically accepted by ABFAS for CME credits submitted during credential renewal?
- ADA (American Dental Association)
- ACCME (Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education) (Correct answer)
- ANCC (American Nurses Credentialing Center)
- ABMS (American Board of Medical Specialties)
Correct answer: ACCME (Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education)
ACCME-accredited CME activities are the standard accepted source of qualifying credits for ABFAS renewal.
Question 4: A diplomate wishes to submit CME credits from a journal article review activity. Which criterion must this activity meet?
- It must be published in a non-peer-reviewed magazine
- It must be from an accredited provider and clinically relevant (Correct answer)
- It must include a hands-on surgical component
- It must be approved directly by ABFAS before completion
Correct answer: It must be from an accredited provider and clinically relevant
Journal-based CME must come from an accredited provider and relate to the diplomate's foot and ankle specialty.
Question 5: Under ABFAS renewal rules, what is required if a diplomate's license to practice is suspended during an active certification cycle?
- The diplomate may continue certification unaffected
- The diplomate must report the suspension to ABFAS (Correct answer)
- The diplomate must retake the board examination
- No action is required until the renewal deadline
Correct answer: The diplomate must report the suspension to ABFAS
ABFAS requires diplomates to disclose any licensure actions, including suspensions, as part of their certification obligations.
Question 6: Which of the following is a component of the ABFAS Continuous Certification program related to patient outcomes?
- Annual financial disclosure
- Malpractice history submission
- Practice Performance Assessment (Correct answer)
- Staff competency review
Correct answer: Practice Performance Assessment
Practice Performance Assessment evaluates a diplomate's clinical outcomes against established standards.
Question 7: An ABFAS diplomate wants to use a teaching activity (lecturing at a podiatric medical school) for CME credit. What must this activity have?
- At least 50 students in attendance
- Formal accreditation or sponsor recognition by an approved CME provider (Correct answer)
- A published textbook chapter as supporting material
- Direct supervision from a senior ABFAS diplomat
Correct answer: Formal accreditation or sponsor recognition by an approved CME provider
Teaching and speaking activities qualify for CME only when organized under an accredited CME provider's sponsorship.
ABFAS Credential Renewal 3
What is the length of the standard ABFAS credential renewal cycle?