Certificate of Added Qualifications
The Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) in Sports Medicine is offered in conjunction with the American Board of Emergency Medicine, the American Board of Internal Medicine, the American Board of Pediatrics and the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. This CAQ, which became available to qualifying family physicians in 1993, is designed to recognize excellence among Diplomates whose practice emphasizes expertise in the Sports Medicine field.
How Do I Obtain My Initial Sports Medicine CAQ?
The Sports Medicine Certification Examination is offered semiannually. If you are interested in seeking initial Sports Medicine Certification, you will need to meet the following requirements to become eligible to take the examination and gain certification:
- Continuously maintain your ABFM Family Medicine Certification
- Complete of a minimum 12 months of full-time training in an ACGME-accredited Sports Medicine Fellowship Program and submit verification of completion documentation
- Submit an online application with the appropriate fee
- Achieve a passing score on the Sports Medicine Certification Examination
Your board eligibility period for subspecialty certification begins the day after the verified completion of your fellowship training and expires after seven date-to-date years (Example: 07/01/2017–06/30/2024). In order to remain board eligible for the Sports Medicine CAQ during this time, you will need to maintain your ABFM Family Medicine Certification. For details, please visit our CAQ Board Eligibility page.
How Do I Maintain My Sports Medicine CAQ?
The Continuing Certification Examination is offered semiannually. The Sports Medicine CAQ Certification is 10 years in duration. If you are interested in maintaining your Sports Medicine Certificate of Added Qualifications, you will need to meet the following requirements to take the Sports Medicine CAQ Continuing Certification Examination and maintain certification status.
- Continuously maintain your ABFM Family Medicine Certification
- Submit an online application with the appropriate fee
- Achieve a passing score on the Sports Medicine Continuing Certification Examination
You may choose may take the Sports Medicine Examination prior to the year in which your CAQ is scheduled to expire, if desired. Each time you successfully complete the Sports Medicine Examination you will reset your 10-year Sports Medicine CAQ Certification. Any time remaining on your previous certificate will be foregone. If you are unsuccessful on the examination, you may re-attempt provided that application requirements are met.
My Sports Medicine CAQ has Lapsed
If you have previously held Sports Medicine CAQ Certification and it has lapsed, you can still regain certification. If you meet the requirements below, you may regain certification no matter how long it has been lapsed.
- Continuously maintain your ABFM Family Medicine Certification
- Submit an online application with the appropriate fee
- Achieve a passing score on the Sports Medicine Certification Examination
How Do I Get Started?
If you are interested in obtaining, maintaining, or regaining a Sports Medicine Certificate of Added Qualifications, you may access the online application for the Sports Medicine CAQ Examination under “Added Qualifications” in your MyABFM Portfolio.
For additional information, please contact Debbie Medley at [email protected] or 859-538-7197.
