WHAT IS REQUIRED FOR NBPAS CERTIFICATION?
You can view the full list of requirements on our Criteria page.
IF I AM CURRENTLY BOARD CERTIFIED BUT NOT DUE FOR RE-CERTIFICATION FOR SEVERAL YEARS, SHOULD I STILL CERTIFY WITH NBPAS?
NBPAS relies on the support of physicians who want a choice in how they maintain their board certification. By joining now, you provide the fuel NBPAS needs to thrive and continue to provide you that alternative.
WHAT SPECIALTIES CAN I CERTIFY IN?
NBPAS certifies only ABMS and AOA recognized specialties and subspecialties. View the full list of specialties here.
WHY DOES NBPAS REQUIRE INITIAL BOARD CERTIFICATION BY ABMS?
NBPAS believes in the importance of Initial board certification by ABMS or AOA. NBPAS was formed to be an alternative pathway to maintaining board certification.
DO I NEED TO PROVIDE A COPY OF MY INITIAL BOARD CERTIFICATE?
No, we perform primary source verification of your board certification status using the information you provide in your application.
DOES NBPAS CERTIFICATION REQUIRE A TEST OR EXAM?
No.
TO RESPOND TO THE CRITICS, WHY DOESN’T THE NBPAS PROVIDE SOME KIND OF MANDATORY TEST? WOULDN’T THAT ENHANCE THE CREDIBILITY OF NBPAS?
The NBPAS board considered this at its inception and the question comes up frequently in our ongoing discussions. The majority (but not 100%) of NBPAS board members do not believe adding a mandatory test would enhance physician learning, or patient care. We do agree that adding a test might provide the “appearance” of a more rigorous continuous certification process. We would be creating literally over 100 annual tests (that is the number of subspecialties in the ABMS) just to enhance NBPAS “credibility.” Our tests would be no better than the ABMS member board tests. We believe there is no test that can be universally applied to all doctors in one specialty. Dr Teirstein, an interventional cardiologist, uses the analogy that he considers himself an expert in replacing aortic valves, but his partner works on mitral valves. Dr Teirstein does not want to be tested on mitral valve repair. The NBPAS board will continue to consider adding a mandatory test, but we believe creating a test to quiet the critics is not a good answer to the question of how to best maintain physician competence.
WHEN APPLYING FOR CERTIFICATION FOR MULTIPLE SPECIALTIES, DO I NEED 50 HOURS IN EACH SPECIALTY?
No, a total of 50 CME hours in any of the specialties applied for is sufficient. However, if your initial board certification in any specialties applied for has lapsed, you must have 100 CME hours. For example – if you apply for Internal Medicine (ABIM lapsed/expired) and Cardiovascular Disease (ABIM still current), you will need to submit 100 CME hours with your application.
IF I AM GRANDFATHERED IN A SPECIALTY (I.E. MY ABMS BOARD CERTIFICATION NEVER EXPIRES) DO I NEED TO HAVE 50 OR 100 HOURS OF CME?
If you are grandfathered in a specialty, your certification has not, by definition, expired and you only need to submit a minimum of 50 hours (not 100 hours) of CMEs completed in the past 24 months.
WHAT TYPES OF CMES DOES NBPAS ACCEPT?
NBPAS accepts only ACCME accredited CME, more specifically AMA PRA Category 1 credits for MDs and AOA Category 1A & 2A credits for DOs.
HOW CAN I SUBMIT MY CME DOCUMENTS TO NBPAS?
CME documents can be submitted four (4) different ways:
- During the application process. First fill out the application and payment information, and then the last page is where you can upload your CME documents.
- Log into your account at nbpas.org/login/ and from your Dashboard click the link “Upload Additional CME Documents”.
- Email to documents@nbpas.org, or
- Fax to (888) 861-4449
WHAT IS THE TURN-AROUND TIME FOR PROCESSING MY NBPAS APPLICATION?
Four weeks or less.
WHAT IS THE COST FOR NBPAS CERTIFICATION?
For MDs/DOs with ABMS initial board certification:
- First-time NBPAS certification: $169
- Renewal NBPAS certification: $145
For DOs with AOA initial board certification:
- First-time NBPAS certification: $189
- Renewal NBPAS certification: $165
(The $20 cost difference is because the AOA charges us an extra $20 fee per physician for certification verification.)
*Discounts are available for fellows and military.
WHAT IS MY APPLICATION FEE USED FOR?
NBPAS is a nonprofit organization that prioritizes financial integrity and accountability. Fees support administrative expenses such as website maintenance, support staff salaries, legal fees, computers, office space, and supplies. We also use funds to spread the word and advocate for NBPAS with hospitals, credentialers and insurance companies. Our physician management and board of directors volunteer their time and are unpaid. NBPAS works very hard to contain costs and keep fees to a minimum.
We have not yet asked for donations because at this time we would rather see funds used for applications. We will invite donations in the future.
IF I AM BOARD CERTIFIED IN A SURGICAL SPECIALTY (I.E. INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY, OPHTHALMOLOGY, ETC.) BUT NO LONGER HOLD ACTIVE HOSPITAL PRIVILEGES OR PERFORM SURGERIES, DO I STILL QUALIFY FOR NBPAS CERTIFICATION?
We offer a “Non-Operative Pathway” for physicians with surgical specialties that do not hold active hospital privileges. You’ll be required to attest to this information on your application, and once verified and approved, your certification would include the status of “Non-Operative Pathway”.
WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE ALL OF THE REQUIRED 50/100 CME CREDITS COMPLETED YET?
We suggest that you wait until all of your required CME credits are ready before you apply. However, if you would like to apply and need time to complete additional CMEs, you will have up to 6 months from your application date to complete and submit your remaining CME credits.
HOW LONG IS NBPAS CERTIFICATION GOOD FOR?
It is a two-year certification that requires renewal every two years.
WHY DO WE HAVE TO RENEW OUR NBPAS CERTIFICATION?
To ensure that board certified physicians continue to have an active, unrestricted medical license and meet the CME requirements.
I SUBMITTED MY APPLICATION. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO PROCESS? HOW CAN I CHECK THE STATUS OF MY APPLICATION?
It typically takes up to 4 weeks to process your application. Some applications may take up to 6 weeks. You can login to your account at nbpas.org/login/ and see the status from your Dashboard. Or you are welcome to email info@nbpas.org to check on the status of your application.
I’M RETIRED BUT I’D LOVE TO SUPPORT WHAT YOUR DOING! HOW CAN I HELP?
Spread the word with your fellow colleagues.
