Home: Boards of Certification: Anesthesiology: Eligibility

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Revised September 2008

To be eligible for certification in Anesthesiology through the Board of Certification in Anesthesiology (BCA), the applicant must:

1. Submit an Anesthesiology application form complete with required application-processing fee, two (2) passport-size photographs taken within the last 90 days, and a notarized signature.



2. Be in conformity with the Code of Ethics of the American Board of Physician Specialties, be known in his/her community as an ethical member of the profession, and be an active specialist in Anesthesiology.



3. Be a graduate of a recognized college of medicine confirmed by a copy of an allopathic/osteopathic degree or a letter of verification from the institution where the degree was earned. In the case of foreign medical schools, an English transcription of the document is also required. Graduates of foreign medical schools must also include a copy of the ECFMG Certificate. Canadian medical schools and medical training programs are considered equivalent to U.S. medical schools and medical training programs.



4. Hold a valid and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the United States or its territories or in Canada and submit copies of all licenses. License(s) must include date of expiration.



5. Submit current curriculum vitae which includes medical school experiences and degrees earned in chronological order.



6. Have completed an ACGME-accredited PGY-1 program or an AOA-accredited internship, and have completed an ACGME or AOA-accredited residency in Anesthesiology.




The ABPS now accepts all residencies accepted by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC). ABPS therefore now accepts all residencies approved by ACGME, AOA, or RCPSC. It should be noted that the ABPS accepts ALL medical residencies approved by the RCPSC, including approved residencies outside Canada.

7. Have been in private Anesthesiology practice on his/her own initiative for a period of at least two years. This requirement is waived for those who have had fellowship training post residency. (Confirmation must be provided in the form of a letter from a facility administrator.)



8. Obtain a notarized letter from his/her department chairman or operating officer stating the applicant has been actively practicing Anesthesiology for the past two years. (Confirmation must be provided in the form of a letter from a facility administrator.)



9. Submit documentation of a minimum of 30 hours of continuing medical education (CME) in Anesthesia obtained during the two years preceding application. ABPS CME form must be used, to view click here. Copies of an official printout or copies of certificates must be attached to the ABPS CME Form.



10. Submit completion of System/Age/Technique forms for the two-year period prior to application (one for each year).



11. Provide two letters of recommendation from Diplomates of an ABPS, ABMS, or AOA-recognized board of certification. Letters of recommendation must be current (dated no more than one year prior to the date the application is received by the ABPS) and on letterhead stationery, which includes a telephone number. Letters submitted on plain paper without an address or telephone number of the signatory are not acceptable. The BCA requires original letters; copies are not acceptable. The BCA recommends that the letters be sent to the applicant for inclusion with other application documents.



12. Submit 25 complete case reports, each containing the anesthesia record sheet from the chart as well as other pertinent information regarding the anesthesia management. The case reports must be no older than twelve (12) months from the date the candidate's application for certification is received by ABPS.



13. All U.S. physicians must do a self-Query of the National Practitioner Data Bank and submit a sealed (unopened envelope) copy of the report as part of the application process. The report need not be submitted with the application but must be provided in order for the applicant to be approved to take the written examination. For information on performing a self-query of the Bank, go to the website www.npdb-hipdb.hrsa.gov for information.




All Canadian physicians must request and submit a testament statement from each province in which a license is held, verifying that there have been no disciplinary actions against the applicant.

14. All physicians must allow AAPS to perform a background check, attested by initialing the appropriate line on the application form.



15. All physicians must submit the signed candidate appeal form.



16. Payment of appropriate fees. To view fee schedule, click here.

To have an application considered by BCA Credentials Committee, all application documents must be compiled in a notebook. The BCA recommends that all applicants keep a copy of all application materials sent to the ABPS.

Case Report Requirements

The applicant must submit four (4)separately compiled copies of 25 case reports in the following format:

1. Case reports must be typewritten. Photocopies of typewritten case reports are acceptable.



2. Case reports must be double-spaced on standard 8.5" x 11" white paper.



3. Case reports must be in a hard, report style binder, or a three-ringed notebook.



4. The applicant must sign each case report.



5. An index shall be placed at the front of the reports indicating the type of case (diagnosis) and the page number on which the case can be found. To view index and verification form, click here.



6. Confirmation of the validity of the reports by hospital administrator, medical records director, or whoever performs such duties at the facility, verifying that you were the physician treating the patient in each case on the date stated. If the applicant's cases reflect work at more than one institution, then separate letters must be submitted verifying the cases from each institution. This validation must be notarized and signed. (Refer to index and verification form.)



7. Case reports shall contain the following information:
   



1. For patient #, list the same number as the case number (Refer to sample index and verification form.)



2. Date of admission and date of discharge



3. Admitting diagnosis



4. Final diagnosis



5. Presenting complaint



6. Patient history



7. Physical and laboratory findings



8. Anesthesia management plan



9. Case summary. Summarization of the important facts regarding the case acts as the most essential part of the case report and must describe the case to convey to the BCA Credentials Committee the vital facts of the diagnosis, care, end results obtained, etc.

Case reports must be carefully prepared as they are subjected to detailed scrutiny. Reports should be accurate, well written, diversified, and properly descriptive. The BCA Credentials Committee reserves the right to seek additional details for any case it deems necessary. If they are not submitted in the manner described above, they will be returned to the applicant, resulting in an incomplete application.