Recertification
The recertification exam is a take at home exam, consisting of approximately 50 multiple-choice questions. ABBM’s goal with recertification is to ensure that Diplomates are continuing their education in bariatric medicine, therefore detailed references will be provided to assist you with answering the questions correctly. The exam will be sent to Recertification Exam Candidates in March. Candidates will have 90 days to complete the exam.
Recertification Policies
ABBM’s Board recently ratified the following polices regarding recertification:
1. Diplomates should complete the recertification exam prior to the completion of their 5 year term. If the Diplomate does not pass the exam during this term, he/she may take the exam the following year. If the Diplomate chooses not to take the recertification exam during his/her final year of certification, the incompletion will be considered as a failure on the exam during that year.
2. The physician will not be considered a Diplomate during any time their certification term has lapsed.
3. Diplomates who fail or do not complete the recertification exam during the year they are scheduled will be required to remove their certification status from their letterhead and any printed or web marketing materials. The Diplomate’s state medical board will also be updated that the physician is no longer certified in bariatric medicine through ABBM.
4. If a Diplomate does not pass or fails to complete the exam for two years in a row, the Diplomate may reinstate his/her board certification status by retaking and passing the Written exam under the same terms as a new Candidate. Completion of a new site review will not be required
5. No exceptions will be made to the above policies.
Diplomates will be sent Recertification Exam applications in January during the year of certificate expiration. Applications will be due on March 1 of the certification expiration year. The documents required to accompany the application are listed below.
Documents:
- Copy of current state (province, jurisdiction) license to practice with no restrictions.
- Completion of 50 credit hours of Category 1 ACCME-approved education in bariatric medicine, supported by valid certificates of completion (or letters of accreditation) indicating credit hours earned.
- ASBP CME letters must also be included with this application. ABBM does not have access to ASBP’s CME database.
- All CME award letters must be included with this application form.
