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Certificates of Added Qualification

2024 Examination Dates

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CAQ in Amputation Prevention & Wound Care

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CAQ in Podiatric Sports Medicine

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CAQ in Podiatric Surgery

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Note: The Exams Department will begin processing applications to start scheduling the CAQ Examinations starting January 2nd, 2024. All applicants will receive an email with instructions on how to schedule their CAQ exam from the ABPM website on or after that date.

What is a Certificate of Added Qualification?
A Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) is a voluntary step beyond Board Certification that recognizes knowledge, expertise, and experience in a subspecialty of podiatry. A CAQ is a step issued solely by the ABPM to recognize a podiatric physician who has established additional competency beyond board certification.
The Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) is a special distinction created and issued solely by the ABPM to recognize a podiatric physician who has established additional competency beyond board certification in either Amputation Prevention and Wound Care, Podiatric Surgery or Podiatric Sports Medicine.

Why Does the ABPM Offer a CAQ?

The CAQs in Amputation Prevention & Wound Care, Podiatric Surgery and Podiatric Sports Medicine were developed by ABPM in response to the changes in public needs and the desire of many podiatrists to have a mechanism to be recognized for their commitment to a subspecialty of podiatry.
This process will be available to any podiatrist certified with a CPME-recognized board with specific practice interest and demonstrable expertise in this area who passes a validated, knowledge-based examination.
A Certificate of Added Qualification allows a podiatric physician to demonstrate additional expertise in a particular area of podiatric medicine. This added qualification is separate and distinct from primary board certification and indicates that the holder has remained up to date with the latest educational knowledge and techniques.

What benefit does the CAQ have for me?

Do Other Certifying Boards Offer CAQs?

Yes, the American Board of Medical Specialties still offers many CAQs for providers to set themselves apart from other providers within their specialties.
Based upon diplomate interest over the past several years, the ABPM has developed a vetting process leading to a CAQ in Amputation Prevention and Wound Care, a CAQ in Podiatric Sports Medicine, and later a CAQ in Podiatric Surgery.
The CAQ examination fee is $295. For applicants choosing to submit cases, there is an additional $200 non-refundable fee.

Do Other Certifying Boards Offer CAQs?

The Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) is a special distinction created and issued solely by the ABPM to recognize a podiatric physician who has established additional competency beyond board certification in Amputation Prevention and Wound Care, Podiatric Surgery or Podiatric Sports Medicine.

2024 CAQ Examination Dates

CAQ Applications Available: August 15th, 2023

CAQ Application Deadline: January 31, 2024

CAQ Exam Dates: March 4-9, 2024 (online proctoring)

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2024 CAQ in Amputation Prevention & Wound Care

Eligibility Criteria
  • Certification by a CPME-recognized Board
And demonstrate one of the following:
  • provide certificate confirming completion of a CPME-approved fellowship in amputation prevention and wound Care or similar designation
  • submit documentation in the form of a letter regarding expertise in a wound care or hospital setting (minimum of 1000 documented hours verified by the program’s Hospital CMO, Fellowship Director, or Department Chairperson/Chief of Service)
  • pass a case documentation process proving expertise in amputation prevention and wound care
Testing Format
What is the testing format for this exam?
  • The candidate can choose to take the CAQ Exam in person at a PearsonVue testing site or opt for online proctoring.
What does the exam consist of?
  • The CAQ Exam consists of 75 multiple choice questions and 2 cases.
Study Guide
CAQ Exam Study Guide
Sample Questions
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2024 CAQ in Podiatric Sports Medicine

Eligibility Criteria
  • Certification by a CPME-recognized Board
And demonstrate one of the following:
  • Provide a certificate confirming completion of a CPME-approved fellowship in Podiatric Sports Medicine.
  • Submit documentation that the applicant is a “Fellow” or “Member” of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine.
  • Provide documentation demonstrating the applicant has served as a team podiatrist or podiatric consultant to a local, regional or national sports organization, high school or college sports team, or Active-Duty podiatrist for any branch of the United States Armed Forces for an aggregate sum of three (3) years.

In addition, the Diplomate must pass the ABPM CAQ Examination in Podiatric Sports Medicine and maintain their Board Certified status.

The American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine (AAPSM) will serve as the educational resource for the CAQ. Current Fellows of the AAPSM will be granted advanced standing in the CAQ if they apply before January 15, 2022.

Testing Format
What is the testing format for this exam?
  • The candidate can choose to take the CAQ Exam in person at a PearsonVue testing site or opt for online proctoring.
What does the exam consist of?
  • The CAQ Exam consists of 100 multiple choice questions.
Study Guide
CAQPSM Study Guide
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2024 CAQ in Podiatric Surgery

Eligibility Criteria
Qualified Candidates must hold Surgical privileges at a Hospital, Medical Center (VA or academic) or Sx center. Candidates must have started practice and been granted hospital surgical privileges before Dec 31, and must complete the following:
  1. Upload Board Certification by CPME-recognized organization.
  2. Upload a copy of your Delineation of Privileges document, OR a letter verifying active surgical privileges from your current facility.
  3. Upload a case log of all cases completed within the last year representing volume and diversity. All information uploaded must be HIPAA-compliant. Non-compliant cases will be rejected.
  4. Upload a colleague attestation from a supervisor (i.e. Chief Medical Officer, Chief of Staff, etc) that attests to your professional integrity and performance.
In addition, the Diplomate must pass the ABPM CAQ examination in Podiatric Surgery and maintain their Board Certified status. What does the exam consist of?
  • The CAQ Exam consists of 125 multiple choice questions.
Study Guide
Downloadable Materials
CAQ in Podiatric Surgery Blueprint
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