FPMRS Subspecialty Certification

FPMRS Subspecialty Certification Q&A
View archived questions and postings.

Important Subspecialty Information

• Recent Update from ABU:  American Board of Urology applicants for FPMRS are no longer required to demonstrate a minimum of 50% commitment to FPMRS on their practice log. Read more from ABU on recent update.
• For OB/Gyns interested in FPMRS Certification, ABOG Bulletins for FPMRS Subspeciality Certification for Senior (“Grandfather/Grandmother”) applicants and for fellows graduating after June 30, 2012 are available at the ABOG website (www.abog.org)
• For Urologists interested in FPMRS Certification, the FPM-RS handbook is available on the on the Board's website, www.abu.org
• In order to qualify as a FPMRS Senior Candidate, a physician must meet one of the following 2 criteria, as well as each of the additional criteria outlined in the ABOG Bulletin  or ABU Handbook.
  • The physician must have been practicing FPMRS for a minimum of 5 years post-training. During the most recent 5 years, a minimum of 50% of the physician’s total outpatient and inpatient practice must consist of patients with a problem related to the area of FPMRS. OR
  • Completion of a FPMRS fellowship by June 30, 2012, but not practicing for a minimum of 5 years.
• Candidates who entered a gynecology-sponsored 3-year fellowship in FPMRS approved by ABOG/ACGME on July 1, 2010 and thereafter are not eligible to apply as a senior candidates and must fulfill all of the requirements listed in the “fellowship graduate” FPMRS Bulletin (link).
• Written Examinations for FPMRS Senior Candidates will occur in June 2013, June 2014 and June 2015.
• OB/Gyns who finish a ABOG-sponsored FPMRS fellowship after June, 2012 must pass both a written and an oral certification examination. Per the ABU, urologists who finish a FPMRS fellowship after June 2012, will be required to pass a written certification examination only.  Physicians who finish training in a non-ABOG/ACGME-sponsored fellowship after June 30, 2012 will not be eligible for certification in FPMRS by the ABOG or ABU.
• For Ob/Gyns, applications for FPMRS Subspecialty Certification for Senior (“Grandfather/Grandmother”) applicants who are interested in taking the June 2013 examination will be accepted on-line at www.abog.org beginning September 1, 2012. Late fees will apply for applications received after November 14, 2012. The final day applications will be accepted for the 2013 examination is December 31, 2012. There is no limit on the number of applicants who can take the examination in June 2013.
• For Urologists, Applications for the 2013 American Board of Urology Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPM-RS) Subspecialty Certification Examination will be mailed to interested FPM-RS urologists on July 1, 2012. Applications will be accepted on a first come, first served basis beginning September 1, 2012 and will be accepted until November 30, 2012.  The Board office will accept a maximum of 250 applications.  Applications in excess of 250 will be deferred until the next examination cycle. To receive an application, individuals must contact the ABU office prior to September 1, 2012 or download application documents from the ABU website. 
• The Six Month Case list for Senior FPMRS Candidates has been updated by the Board to include some mandatory minimum numbers for specific procedures. In addition to documenting 50% of your practice is dedicated to FPMRS, Candidates will also have to be sure to meet the minimum numbers for certain procedures on their case list. To my eye, the minimum numbers required by the Board should be easily met by most AUGS members (Urodynamics - minimum 20; Apical prolapse - minimum 15, etc.) Meeting the 50% requirement will certainly be the higher bar.
• The new Guide to Learning in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery 2012 is now available (link to pdf). This is a much needed update to the original Guide to Learning which is now almost 10 years old. The 2012 Guide will be the core of the ACGME curriculum and the ABOG/ABU has indicated that they will use this Guide as the basis for the written examinations. I am sure it will be an important resource as people prepare for the exam.
• AUGS plans a Comprehensive Review Course in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery on  February 1- 3, 2013 and again April 12 –14, 2013 at the Omni Dallas Hotel, Dallas, TX (Course Director: Mark Walters, MD) which will be valuable for those preparing for the written examination. Details at link.

Fellowship Programs – ACGME accreditation news

• There are now 48 accredited FPMRS fellowship programs.
• This year Fellowship Programs will be transitioning from ABOG/ABU accreditation to ACGME accreditation. The ACGME Program requirements are now posted on the ACGME website (www.acgme.org) and available at this link. All Programs will have to submit their PIF (Program Information Forms) by November 2012. The good news is that there will be no site visits during this first cycle.