Home: Boards of Certification: Orthopedic Surgery: Eligibility

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

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

To be eligible for certification in Orthopedic Surgery through the Board of Certification in Orthopedic Surgery (BCOS), the applicant must:

1. Submit an Orthopedic Surgery application with required 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 Orthopedic Surgery.



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



4. 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.



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



6. Have completed an ACGME-accredited PGY-1 program or an AOA accredited internship and have completed an ACGME or AOA-accredited residency in Orthopedic Surgery.




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.

7. Provide evidence of active staff privileges for a minimum of two (2) years on one's own initiative in an AOA-accredited or JCAHO-accredited institution. Documentation on letterhead from a hospital administrator is required.



8. Demonstrate evidence of having performed a minimum of 200 surgical procedures on one's own initiative in Orthopedic Surgery. Documentation on letterhead from a hospital administrator is required.



9. Submit two (2) letters of recommendation from Diplomates of an ABPS, ABMS, or AOA-recognized board of certification. Letters of recommendation must be current and on letterhead stationary which includes a telephone number. Letters submitted on plain paper without an address or telephone number of the signatory are not acceptable. The BCOS requires original letters; copies are not acceptable. The BCOS recommends that the letters be sent to the applicant for inclusion in application and supporting documents packet.



10. Submit a list of surgical procedures performed on one's own initiative for the two-year period prior to application.



11. Submit ten (10) complete case reports in accordance with the case report requirements furnished by the BCOS.



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

To have an application considered by the BCOS Credentials Committee, all application documents must be compiled in a notebook. The BCOS 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 ten (10) 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 compiled 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 BCOS 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. If they are not submitted in the format described above, they will be returned to the applicant, resulting in an incomplete file. The BCOS Credentials Committee reserves the right to seek additional details for any case it deems necessary.