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Focused Practice Designations

Focused Practice Designations recognize those diplomates who have focused their practice on one particular aspect of a given field of medicine or surgery that is not already recognized by subspecialty certification.

surgeons wearing masks and conducting surgery
Intro

Focused Practice Designation in Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery

Focused Practice Designation (FPD) is a new designation of ABMS member boards that recognizes diplomates who have focused their practice on one particular aspect of a given field of medicine or surgery that is not already recognized by specialty or subspecialty certification. Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (MBS) is an example of the development of focused practice within the specialty of general surgery. Most surgeons performing MBS are general surgeons who have focused a significant portion of their time in the practice of bariatric surgery and develop the infrastructure to support a comprehensive MBS program. Therefore, MBS is truly a variation of general surgery rather than a subspecialty of surgery.

The ABS has worked in conjunction with the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) to define the standards of practice, participation, and knowledge that are required to be identified as a surgeon who focuses their practice on MBS. The MBS FPD can be achieved through a combination of fellowship training and/or clinical practice that is dedicated to the treatment of the obese patient population.

Primary Certification Required

Certification in general surgery is required

Successful completion of the MBS FPD exam is required to be recognized by the ABS as having a focused practice in MBS. Eligible candidates are diplomates who hold a general surgery certification from the ABS and are primarily engaged in the practice of MBS.

The purpose of the MBS FPD is to provide transparent information to those patients with obesity who seek to undergo bariatric surgery or bariatric endoscopy for the treatment of obesity and metabolic diseases, by recognizing surgeons who have additional surgical expertise and dedicate a significant percentage of their practice to the comprehensive care of these patients including primary and revisional bariatric surgery, management of bariatric complications and endoscopy.

The ABS wishes to acknowledge the leadership of the ASMBS in applying for and developing this designation.

team of surgeons stacking hands
MBS FPD Examination

Exams are completed at a secure testing center

The MBS FPD exam consists of about 150 multiple-choice questions designed to evaluate a surgeon’s knowledge of metabolic and bariatric surgery principles and applied science.

It is a one-day exam lasting approximately 4.5 hours and is held at computer-testing facilities across the U.S. The exam is administered in two 120-minute sessions, with an optional 10-minute break after the first session. Once a session has concluded, examinees will not be able to revisit those questions.

Results are posted approximately 4-8 weeks after the exam; surgeons will be notified by email when they are available. The exam’s contents are copyrighted and may not be reproduced or disclosed in any manner.

MBS FPD Content Outline
3/24 - 4/14
2025
Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Focused Practice Designation Examination
Location: Pearson VUE testing centers
Fee: $750
Application Deadline: 4/1/2025
Fee: $550
General Requirements
Requirements must be met at the time of application to the exam

Diplomates who are MBSAQIP directors or MBS-verified surgeons will have an expedited application process and will not have to submit information regarding their training or MBS experience.

To be eligible for this exam, applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Certification/Continuous Certification: Be currently certified in general surgery by the American Board of Surgery and in compliance with the ABS Continuous Certification Program.
  • Training: Must have completed three years of clinical experience in MBS, which may include experience gained during fellowship training.
  • MBS Experience: Must have current privileges and clinical activity in MBS, with a minimum of three years of clinical practice experience with a focus in MBS (diplomates who have completed 12 months in an MBS fellowship training program may count the length of their fellowship program towards the focused practice requirement).

    Diplomates must have the following experience:
    - 100 lifetime stapling cases (75 may come from an accredited fellowship and at least 25 stapling cases must occur after fellowship) *50 of the 100 lifetime stapling procedures must be anastomotic, or must include an anastomosis
    - Performing an average of 25 MBSAQIP-approved stapling cases annually, averaged over the previous three years
  • Medical License: Have a currently registered full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the U.S. or Canada. Applicants are required to immediately inform the ABS of any conditions or restrictions in force on any active medical license they hold.
  • Professional Activity: Be actively engaged in the practice of MBS as indicated by holding full surgical privileges in this discipline at a Metabolic Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) -accredited center. Additionally, eligible candidates must be actively participating in the MBSAQIP registry.
  • Be capable of performing independently the entire scope of MBS practice without accommodation or with reasonable accommodation.
  • Adhere to the ABS Ethics and Professionalism Policy.
team of surgeons posed looking at the camera
How to Apply

Apply through the ABS portal

If a diplomate meets the requirements for this designation as defined above, they may access the application through the Apply & Register page in their ABS portal.

As part of the application review process, ABS will verify that the applicant holds privileges at an MBSAQIP-accredited center.

Items Required
  • Application form, completed and submitted through the ABS portal
  • Application fee, submitted online (credit card only)

The steps above must be completed by the application deadline to be considered for this year’s examination in MBS, to be administered at Pearson VUE centers.

Following approval of their application, applicants may move to the registration section to complete registration, submit payment for the examination ($750, credit card only), and schedule a testing center location

Maintaining Designation

Certification in general surgery must be maintained

All diplomates with an MBS FPD must actively maintain their general surgery certification through participation in the ABS Continuous Certification Program, including completion of the General Surgery Continuous Certification Assessment every other year. Additional requirements directly related to maintenance of the FPD will apply, with additional information on this process forthcoming.

For any questions, please contact our FPD coordinator.

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CME Credit

Diplomates may apply to the AMA to receive credit for successfully completing an FPD examination

Diplomates who pass an ABS Focused Practice Designation examination may apply to the AMA to receive 50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. The AMA will also grant credit for teaching at a live CME activity, being first author on a published article, and obtaining a medically related advanced degree. Please see the AMA website and the direct CME application for details.