Menu
get certified
Focused Practice Designation
Focused Practice Designation recognizes 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.
Available Focused Practice Designations:
Intro
Recognizing diplomates who have focused their practice on one particular aspect of a given field of medicine or surgery
Focused Practice Designation (FPD) is a 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. The ABS currently offers two FPDs: metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) and adult complex thyroid and parathyroid surgery (ACTPS).
The ABS has worked in conjunction with the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and The American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (ABOHNS) to define the standards of practice, participation, and knowledge that are required to be identified as a surgeon who focuses their practice in MBS or ACTPS, respectively. These FPDs can be achieved through a combination of fellowship training and/or clinical practice that is dedicated to the treatment of the corresponding patient populations.
Transparency for Patients
FPDs help patients make informed decisions when choosing their surgeons
The purpose of an FPD is to provide transparent information to patients seek to undergo treatment for specific diseases, by recognizing surgeons who have additional surgical expertise and dedicate a significant percentage of their practice to the comprehensive care of these patients.
Focused Practice Designation
Metabolic and Bariatric 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 Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (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.
This exam is offered once a year in the spring.
Focused Practice Designation
Adult Complex Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery
Adult complex thyroid and parathyroid surgery (ACTPS) includes the care of those with benign or malignant and functional or non-functional tumors of the thyroid and parathyroid glands, and encompasses the management of patients with locally advanced thyroid cancer, aggressive histologic subtypes, and inherited endocrine syndromes.
Developed with the The American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (ABOHNS), the first exam for this new FPD will be held in spring 2025.
About the FPD Examinations
Exams are completed at a secure testing center
FPD exams consists of about 150 multiple-choice questions designed to evaluate a surgeon’s knowledge of principles and applied science pertaining to the designated area of practice.
Each exam 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.
3/24 - 4/14
2025
Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Focused Practice Designation Examination
Location: Pearson VUE testing centers
Fee: $750
Application Deadline: 2/28/2025
Fee: $550
4/7 - 4/9
2025
Adult Complex Thyroid & Parathyroid Surgery Focused Practice Designation Examination
Location: Pearson VUE testing centers
Fee: $750
Application Deadline: 12/6/2024
Fee: $550
CME Credit
Diplomates may apply to the AMA to receive credit for successfully completing an FPD examination
Diplomates who pass the MBS FPD 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.
Additional information to follow regarding CME credit for the ACTPS FPD Examination.