Home: Boards of Certification: Geriatric Medicine: Eligibility

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Please click here for application and eligibility changes, effective January 1, 2007.

To be eligible for certification in Geriatric Medicine through the Board of Certification in Geriatric Medicine (BCGM), the applicant must:

1. Submit a Geriatric Medicine 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 Geriatric Medicine.



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 translation of the document is also required.  Graduates of foreign medical schools must also include a copy of their ECFMG Certificate.



4. All applicants (effective January 1, 2002) must have completed residency training in a program approved by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education or the American Osteopathic Association and deemed acceptable to the Board of Certification in Geriatric Medicine. Such training must include substantial and identifiable training in Geriatric Medicine as determined by the Board of Certification in Geriatric Medicine and approved by the ABPS.



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



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



7. Be qualified under one of the following:
   1. Current Board Certification in Family Practice or Internal Medicine.
   
   
   
   2. Have completed an approved ACGME or an AOA residency in Geriatric Medicine.
   
   
   

   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.

   3. Have completed a fellowship program, or be an instructor in Geriatric Medicine.  The BCGM Credentials Committee will consider physicians applying under this option on a case-by-case basis.



8. Provide verification that 50% of practice is comprised of Geriatric patients.



9. Submit three (3) letters of recommendation from Diplomates of a nationally- recognized board, either allopathic or osteopathic.



10. Submit a letter from the hospital administrator regarding Staff Privileges.



11. Submit a documented report of a minimum of six (6) geriatric medicine cases for which the physician had the lead management role.



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

To have an application considered by the BCGM Credentials Committee, all application documents must be compiled in a notebook.  The BCGM recommends that the applicant keep a copy of all application documents submitted to the ABPS.

Case Report Requirements

The applicant must submit four (4) separately compiled copies of six (6) 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 sample 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. This must be on official letterhead 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 sample index/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. Complaint



6. History



7. Physical and laboratory findings



8. Summarization of the important facts regarding the case acts as the most essential part of the case report and must describe the case in such a manner as to convey to the BCGM Credentials Committee the vital facts regarding 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 BCGM Credentials Committee reserves the right to seek additional details for any case it deems necessary. If they are not submitted in the format described above, they will be returned to the applicant, resulting in an incomplete file.