Becoming Certified in Addiction Medicine and How to Continue That Certification

Starting in the spring of 2017, the American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM) began offering providers who are certified by a Member Board of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) the opportunity to apply and become certified in the subspecialty of Addiction Medicine. Michael Weaver, MD, DFASAM, ABPM Director and Sub-board Chair for Addiction Medicine, and Chris Ondrula, JD, Executive Director of ABPM, will review the requirements and various pathways, i.e., Practice Pathway and Fellowship, available for providers to apply for eligibility to sit for the Addiction Medicine subspecialty exam. Information on the timeline for the 2022 application cycle, dates for the examination period, and fee schedule will be made available. Information will also be provided for attendees who are already certified in Addiction Medicine by ABPM about maintenance of certification (MOC), including changes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the ABPM’s transition from MOC to its innovative and more flexible Continuing Certification Program (CCP). They will outline the transitional requirements for maintaining ABPM Certification for calendar year 2022 as well as discussing the specifics of the complete rollout of CCP in 2023 and how those requirements impact Certification in Addiction Medicine. This discussion will include an outline of the enhancements that have been designed into the CCP and are responsive to the Report issued by the ABMS’ independent Visioning Commission on MOC, including but not limited to a shift away from the current 10-year, secure, high-stakes MOC Exam to a longitudinal assessment methodology. Information will also include timelines and the fee schedule associated with the CCP. For more information, visit the ABPM website at www.theabpm.org.