FAQs ABOUT ABIPP DIPLOMATE EXAMINATION AND CERTIFICATION

The American Board of Interventional Pain Physicians (ABIPP) is a specialty board providing Board Certification in Interventional Pain Management and Competency Certification in Controlled Substance Management, Competency Certification in Coding, Compliance and Practice Management and Competency Certification in Fluoroscopic Interpretation and Radiological Safety.

The major goals of ABIPP are to maintain the highest standards of practice of interventional pain management by fostering education and training in interventional pain management, including interventional techniques alone or in conjunction with other modalities of treatments.

To achieve these major goals, ABIPP has undertaken to offer Diplomate Certification for interventional pain physicians. This includes not only a theoretical evaluation of knowledge, but competency in performing interventional techniques, and patient management.

Consequently, the rules of ABIPP are much more stringent and complicated than other available boards at the present time.

Minimum Requirements

For any candidate to be considered for ABIPP Diplomate Certification the minimum requirements are:

1.  A primary ABMS board certification.

2.  An active license to practice medicine in the United States

Certification

Certification is offered by means of examination and reciprocity.

No Examination (Reciprocity)

For a physician to receive certification without any further examination, a candidate should have been certified in all three areas as follows:

1.  ABMS pain medicine subspecialty certification.

2.  Certification as Fellow of Interventional Pain Practice (FIPP) by WIP

3.  Competency certification in both areas of controlled substances, and coding, compliance and practice management.

Certification in fluoroscopic interpretation and radiation safety is NOT a requirement for ABIPP reciprocity as a diplomate.

¨           For a candidate with ABMS subspecialty certification with no other certifications, the following is required:

1.  Certification as Fellow of Interventional Pain Practice (FIPP) by WIP

2.  Competency Certification in both Controlled Substance Management and Coding, Compliance and Practice Management (each is a separate examination).

¨           For a candidate with FIPP certification but WITHOUT ABMS subspecialty pain medicine certification:

The requirements are as follows:

1.  Successful completion of ABIPP part I theoretical examination.

Competency examinations in controlled substances and coding, compliance, and practice management are NOT required for reciprocity for Diplomate purposes. This information is covered in Part I.

¨           For a physician with a primary board certification and fellowship training:

The requirements are as follows:

1.  Successful completion of ABIPP Part I theoretical examination.

2.  Successful completion of Fellow of Interventional Pain Practice (FIPP) by WIP.

There is NO requirement to complete Competency Certification examinations in controlled substances and coding, compliance, and practice management separately. This information is covered in Part I.

¨           For a candidate with primary board certification but without fellowship training in the practice of interventional pain management:

1.  Four years of interventional pain management practice (50% or greater) with:

• A total of 200 hours of continuing education.
• Of these 200 hours, 50 hours must be cadaver training.

2.  Successful completion of ABIPP Part I theoretical examination.

3.  Successful completion of Fellow of Interventional Pain Practice (FIPP) by WIP.

It is NOT necessary to complete competency certification examinations in controlled substances and coding, compliance, and practice management for this purpose. This information is covered in Part I.

Fee Structure

1.  The fee for reciprocity is $100.00.

2.  The fee for Part I examination is $1,500.00. (A candidate appearing for Part I examination need not appear for competency certifications in controlled substances and coding, compliance, and practice management unless it is required for some other purpose).

3.   The fee for Fellow of Interventional Pain Practice (FIPP) is $2,000.00. The FIPP is organized by WIP.

4.   Various review courses offered are to facilitate not only preparation for examination, but for education. Thus it is not mandatory for a person to attend any of the review courses.

5.     The fee for Competency Certification examinations is separate and the fee is required as it costs significant amounts of money to develop an examination and administer it. Similar courses offered by Vanderbilt or other institutions are more expensive.

All three applications for ABIPP reciprocity, ABIPP examination, and FIPP examination are available on the ABIPP website. 

For further information on FIPP, please go to www.worldinstituteofpain.org