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 provide physicians with a choice for board recertification.
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.
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, AMA Category 1 CME for MDs and AOA Category 1A & 2A CME for DOs.
HOW CAN I SUBMIT MY CME DOCUMENTS TO NBPAS?
CME documents can be submitted four (4) different ways:
- During the application process - complete the application, submit payment information, and then you will be able to upload your CME documents.
- Log in to your NBPAS account and select “Upload CME” from the navigation options.
- 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?
NBPAS Certification is $189 every two years. 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, staff salaries, legal fees, computers, office space, and supplies. We also use funds to advocate for NBPAS in the broader healthcare community. 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.
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 in surgical specialties that do not hold active hospital privileges. You’ll be required to attest to this information on your application. Once verified and approved, your certification will be notated with the status of non-operative pathway.
CAN I APPLY IF I HAVEN’T YET COMPLETED MY CME?
We suggest that you complete all CME credits before applying. However, you have 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.
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.
Log in to your NBPAS account to check the status of your application. You are also welcome to email us at info@nbpas.org for more information.
I’M RETIRED BUT I’D LOVE TO SUPPORT WHAT YOUR DOING! HOW CAN I HELP?
Spread the word with your fellow colleagues.
