What is the difference between subspecialty certification and focused practice designation?
Subspecialty certification relates to a specific component of a specialty to which a practicing physician or medical specialist may devote a significant portion of time. Practice in the subspecialty follows special educational experience — an ACGME-accredited training program of at least one (1) year in duration — in addition to that required for general certification. Focused practice recognizes areas of practice within existing specialties and subspecialties that either evolve as diplomates progress throughout their professional careers or emerge as medicine changes due to advances in medical knowledge. These areas are more limited in scope than those covered by subspecialty designation or may be procedural but without the extensive scientific, clinical, and organizational underpinnings of a separate subspecialty.
See the Differences Between Subspecialty Certification and Focused Practice Designation table[PDF].
What is the approval process for the Member Boards to offer focused practice designation?
ABMS Member Boards can propose areas for focused practice designation to ABMS that align with the standards for certification and continuing certification. Proposals outline the eligibility criteria, clinical practice experience (patients treated/procedures performed), formal training, if required, and assessment process for continuing certification that eligible physicians complete for focused practice designation. The proposal goes through a review and approval process similar to the one used for a new specialty or subspecialty.
What is the process for physicians to gain focused practice designation?
Physicians already certified in an established, approved specialty or subspecialty may apply to those boards with an approved focused practice designation. Among other requirements, physicians must meet specific criteria including the length of time they have focused in the particular area and the number of patients they have treated or procedures they have performed. Requirements also may include formal training.
What is the process for physicians to maintain focused practice designation?
Physicians can maintain their designation by meeting the clinical practice requirements for the specified area of focused practice and the requirements for maintaining their certification. Requirements related to the focused practice designation also may count toward the requirements to maintain primary specialty or subspecialty certification.
Can a physician lose their certification if they do not meet focused practice requirements?
No. Because focused practice is an added designation to a certification, additional program requirements must be met. This includes continuing to meet the clinical practice requirements for the specified area. Only the designation lapses if the focused practice requirements are not met. Physicians can re-enter the focused practice program at a later date by meeting the Member Board’s requirements, including keeping their primary specialty or subspecialty certificate up to date.
Is focused practice designation displayed in the ABMS Board Certification Credentials Profile?
Yes. Physicians involved in focused practice will have that designation shown as part of their active certification on the ABMS Board Certification Credentials Profile.