Board Eligibility Status Expiration Date?

[prominence]

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Members don't see this ad.

As I begin my post-residency job search, I see all job advertisements listing a BE (board eligible)/BC (board certified) requirement.

My understanding is that BE means you have completed your residency training, and are eligible to sit for your specialty's board exam.

Does the status of board eligibility expire at some point if one waits too long to get board certified?

 

[Winged Scapula]

As I begin my post-residency job search, I see all job advertisements listing a BE (board eligible)/BC (board certified) requirement.

My understanding is that BE means you have completed your residency training, and are eligible to sit for your specialty's board exam.

Does the status of board eligibility expire at some point if one waits too long to get board certified?

Yes. At some point it does expire and you have to take additional steps to become eligible again (if possible in your specialty).

You should have a letter from your specialty board which states how many attempts you are allowed and when it expires. For surgery, my eligibility expired 5 years after completion of residency.

 

[southerndoc]

Some do not let you use the term board-eligible. ABEM is one such entity that prohibits you from using it.

 

[prominence]

The ABPN also does not recognize the term "board eligible".

This may be semantics, but do these specialties view board eligible= not board certified, with no expiration date on the B/E status (since they do not recognize this term)?

The reason I ask is because I would rather put my pursuit of board certification on indefinite hold for now, but eventually get it out of necessity (i.e. job advancement).

 

[Joe Richards]

The ABPN also does not recognize the term "board eligible".

This may be semantics, but do these specialties view board eligible= not board certified, with no expiration date on the B/E status (since they do not recognize this term)?

The reason I ask is because I would rather put my pursuit of board certification on indefinite hold for now, but eventually get it out of necessity (i.e. job advancement).

It gets harder if you wait. Medicine changes fast.

Just my opinion but since everything is fresh in your mind now, study for the exam and take it now.

 

[Winged Scapula]

I did not realize there were specialties in which the term BE was not recognized; however, as you note, it appears that ABPN and all ABIM specialties do not.

From here: http://www.abpn.com/downloads/ifas/IFA_Cert_Psych_09.pdf it appears that you have unlimited number of chances to pass Part I of the BC exam. After you have passed Part I, you have 6 years or 3 chances to pass Part 2 (whichever comes first). So there is some limited to "board eligibility" in psychiatry but it would appear to me that the clock doesn't start until you pass Part 1.

 

[michaelrack]

"Board Elgible" is an unofficial term that most specialty boards don't recognize. For practical purposes such as applying for hospital staff privileges/jobs, you are generally considered board elgible for 5 years after completion of residency.

 

[michaelrack]

From the American Board of Medical Specialties website

Board Elgibility:
"ABMS and the ABMS Member Boards do not use this term because it does not accurately indicate a physician's progress toward completing his or her certification. To find out a physician's status, we recommend contacting the ABMS Member Board directly."

 

[Winged Scapula]

From the American Board of Medical Specialties website

Board Elgibility:
"ABMS and the ABMS Member Boards do not use this term because it does not accurately indicate a physician's progress toward completing his or her certification. To find out a physician's status, we recommend contacting the ABMS Member Board directly."

Interesting definition.

After all, NOT stating that someone is BE doesn't "accurately indicate a physician's progress toward completing his or her certification" either.🙄

At any rate, is IS recognized by the American Board of Surgery and you have 5 years to take the Qualifying Exam (written).

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Although the ABIM does not recognize BE, hospitals and insurance companies do. If you've completed a residency, you can get privileged / listed as a PCP by ins companies / etc.

 

[michaelrack]

Interesting definition.

After all, NOT stating that someone is BE doesn't "accurately indicate a physician's progress toward completing his or her certification" either.🙄

At any rate, is IS recognized by the American Board of Surgery and you have 5 years to take the Qualifying Exam (written).

I guess you're referring to this (from the American Board of Surgery website):

"In the Examination Process: The individual has an approved application for certification or recertification and has not yet successfully passed the required examinations, but has remaining examination opportunities."

 

[Winged Scapula]

I guess you're referring to this (from the American Board of Surgery website):

"In the Examination Process: The individual has an approved application for certification or recertification and has not yet successfully passed the required examinations, but has remaining examination opportunities."

Yes, that would be how the American Board of Surgery defines Board Eligible:

- you have finished and are eligible for BC (ie, your application has been approved)
- you have not taken all the exams (written and oral)
- you still have exam opportunities/time left in which to take the exams

So what do you guys put down when asked on insurance and credentialing apps when it asks if you are Board Eligible (if not yet BC)?

 

[docB]

Yes, that would be how the American Board of Surgery defines Board Eligible:

- you have finished and are eligible for BC (ie, your application has been approved)
- you have not taken all the exams (written and oral)
- you still have exam opportunities/time left in which to take the exams

So what do you guys put down when asked on insurance and credentialing apps when it asks if you are Board Eligible (if not yet BC)?

I put down BE. I think that the distinction matters more to the actual boards themselves than anyone else. The boards don't want people using the term "BE" because it suggests that you are somehow partially recognized by that board. The board doesn't recognize you at all until your are a diplomat. There are two problems. First we have to have some designation for docs who are in the pipeline so they can get credentials, licenses and so on. That's why everyone uses the term despite the protesting boards. The other problem though is that there are people who would take advantage of the system. For example someone who had failed the board twice but was still technically "eligible" could use the term indefinitely.

An example of how some docs try to skirt the rules of board certification has happend with ACEP. Some docs who are not boarded by ABEM have found ways to get fellowship in ACEP. Most patients and some hospitals don't know the difference between FACEP and board certified.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Interesting. To be FACS, you have to be Board Certified first (you could be a member of the ACS, but not a Fellow).

 

[docB]

Interesting. To be FACS, you have to be Board Certified first (you could be a member of the ACS, but not a Fellow).

ACEP allowed docs to become fellows without being boarded up through the late 80s or early 90s. This was partially because up until the late 80s there was a "practice track" that allowed non residency trained docs to actually become boarded.

On a side note that's probably of interest only to those in EM ACEP has created a lot of internal controversy lately because they opened a "legacy track" and allowed a few dozen docs, who are generally older non-boarded guys who have been practicing for decades to become fellows.

link to relevent thread on EM board

So to keep this tangent from totally derailing the thread everyone can see how complex this issue can get when you get down to the details.

 

[michaelrack]

I. The board doesn't recognize you at all until your are a diplomat. .

I'm only mentioning it because it's a pet peeve of mine, but the correct term is "diplomate."

 

[docB]

I'm only mentioning it because it's a pet peeve of mine, but the correct term is "diplomate."

I have never claimed to be able to spell.