Focused Practice Designations

ABPath strongly encourages ComACC and CPEP trainees to become certified by the American Board of Clinical Chemistry or the ASM American Board of Medical Microbiology respectively; Focused Practice Designation is not a certification.

The purpose of a Focused Practice Designation (FPD) is to:

Recognize and provide a credential to ABPath diplomates who have successfully completed non-ACGME accredited training in Clinical Chemistry or Clinical Microbiology

Recognize ABPath-certified physicians whose practice has been primarily or exclusively devoted to Clinical Chemistry or Clinical Microbiology.

Clinical Chemistry FPD Application

Clinical Microbiology FPD Application

Clinical Chemistry Focused Practice Designation

Requirements

All candidates for Focused Practice Designation in Clinical Chemistry must be certified in AP/CP or CP and meet one of the following eligibility requirements:
- Successful completion of a 2-year training program in a Commission on Accreditation in Clinical Chemistry (ComACC) accredited program, OR
- Be eligible for the practice pathway, which requires that a diplomate has spent at least 30% time (an average of 16 weeks per year) in three of the last five years practicing Clinical Chemistry.

The ABPath strongly encourages ComACC trained pathologists to obtain American Board of Clinical Chemistry certification. Note that ours is a Focused Practice Designation, not a certification, and is distinct from ABPath subspecialty certification in Chemical Pathology, which requires completion of ACGME accredited training.

All candidates with time-limited certification must be participating in the Continuing Certification (CC) Program (formerly MOC) and up-to-date with CC requirements.
All candidates must take and pass an examination in Clinical Chemistry.
After receiving this designation, diplomates must participate in the CC Program to maintain their Focused Practice Designation.
It is a requirement that a candidate possess a current, valid, full and unrestricted medical license to practice medicine or osteopathy. Candidates are required to upload a copy of their current, valid, full and unrestricted medical license in PATHway to their “My Profile” tab.
Applicants must obtain Focused Practice Designation within their period of board eligibility:
- which is five years from the completion of ComACC training; if exceeds 5 years from completion of training, an additional 2 years of experience is required, OR
- if applying by experience, five years from the year of submission of the initial application.

Exam

The examination for Focused Practice Designation in Clinical Chemistry is a secure computer-administered examination. The exam is administered by the ABPath at Pearson VUE Professional Test Centers.

The ABPath strongly encourages ComACC trained pathologists to obtain American Board of Clinical Chemistry certification. Note that ours is a Focused Practice Designation, not a certification, and is distinct from ABPath subspecialty certification in Chemical Pathology, which requires completion of ACGME accredited training.

Examination Blueprint

Clinical-Chemical-Focused-Practice-Exam-Blueprint

Application

The fee for the Focused Practice Designation in Clinical Chemistry is $1,400.00. Payment can be made by credit card (MasterCard, Visa, American Express) by completing the credit card authorization form included in the application packet found on the ABPath website. Payment is also accepted by check or US money order; make payable to “The American Board of Pathology.”
All applications must be completed using a computer (typed). Handwritten applications will not be accepted.
The 2024 application deadline is May 15, 2024.
Completed applications will not be accepted by email or fax. Please mail to:

American Board of Pathology

One Urban Centre, Suite 690

4830 W. Kennedy Blvd.

Tampa, FL 33609-2571

Follow-up correspondence from ABPath regarding this application will be via email.
If you have any questions regarding the application or requirements for Focused Practice Designation in Clinical Chemistry, please email Renee Holder at [email protected]

Application and Exam Dates

Application Dates– February 16 – May 15, 2024
Exam Dates – Exams will be administered September 9-September 28, 2024.
Cancellation Deadline Date – June 15, 2024 If a candidate cancels by this date there is a $500 cancellation fee; after this date, the fee will be forfeited.

Clinical Microbiology Focused Practice Designation

All candidates for Focused Practice Designation in Clinical Microbiology must be certified in AP/CP or CP and meet one of the following eligibility requirements:
- Successful completion of training in an American Society for Microbiology Committee on Postgraduate Education Programs (CPEP) accredited training program, OR
- Be eligible for the practice pathway, which requires that a diplomate has spent at least 30% time (an average of 16 weeks per year) in three of the last five years practicing Clinical Microbiology.
The ABPath strongly encourages ASM CPEP trained pathologists to obtain ASM American Board of Medical Microbiology certification. Note that ours is a Focused Practice Designation, not a certification, and is distinct from ABPath subspecialty certification in Medical Microbiology, which requires completion of ACGME accredited training.
All candidates with time-limited certification must be participating in the Continuing Certification (CC) Program (formerly MOC) and up-to-date with CC requirements.
All candidates must take and pass an examination in Clinical Microbiology.
After receiving this designation, diplomates must participate in the CC Program to maintain their Focused Practice Designation.
It is a requirement that a candidate possess a current, valid, full and unrestricted medical license to practice medicine or osteopathy. Candidates are required to upload a copy of their current, valid, full and unrestricted medical license in PATHway to their “My Profile” tab.
Applicants must obtain Focused Practice Designation within their period of eligibility:
- which is five years from the completion of CPEP accredited training; if exceeds 5 years from completion of training, an additional 2 years of experience is required, OR
- if applying by experience, five years from the year of submission of the initial application.