Mechanics of the ABAM Certification and Recertification Examination

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Mechanics of the ABAM Certification and
Recertification Examination

• Christopher Weirs, M.P.A.

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Introduction to the ABAM Examination

• Purpose is to identify, for patients, physicians
  with the knowledge, experience and skills to
  provide quality healthcare within the specialty
  of Addiction Medicine.
• Certification by ABAM involves a rigorous process
  of testing and peer evaluation that is designed
  and administered by specialists in the field of
  Addiction Medicine, and that closely parallels
  the standards set by the ABMS.
• It is a process of Application and Examination
• And to date, over 2000 Physicians have been
  Certified in Addiction Medicine by ABAM

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Who is ABAM Certified?
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ABAM Certified by Specialty
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Value of ABAM Certification to Physicians

• Treatment Centers, hospitals, and yes, even
  managed care organizations actively seek and
  recruit ABAM Certified Members to provide
  direction and leadership for their programs.
• Several states such as New Jersey require their
  Medical Directors to beCertified in Addiction
  Medicine.
• Physicians who hold ABAM Certification qualify to
  receive a waiver from the special registration
  requirements in the Controlled Substances Act for
  the provision of medication-assisted opioid
  therapy.
• For those physicians interested in faculty
  appointments (either voluntary or full time) at
  a medical school, the demonstration of
  certification by an outside recognized agency
  will serve to enhance their applications.

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Value of ABAM Certification to Physicians

• State Hospitals and Medical Facilities call on
  ABAM Certified Physicians for testimony and
  identifying legislation that affects substance
  abuse issues and treatment.
• The widely recognized National Committee on
  Quality Assurance (NCQA) 2008 Standards for
  Accreditation of Managed Behavioral Healthcare
  Organizations (MBHOs) require MBHOs accredited by
  NCQA to have policies and procedures for
  credentialing "psychiatrists and/or physicians
  who are certified in addiction medicine." NCQA
  recognition of addiction certified physicians
  gives added value to the ABAM certificate by
  making ABAM-certified physicians eligible to be
  credentialed by NCQA-accredited MBHOs.
• Credibility with third party payers when
  advocating for patient treatment/length of stay.

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The Numbers
Number Certified by Year in Addiction MEdicie
Pass Rates 1986 (76) 1987 (79) 1988 (83)
1990 (84) 1992 (89) 1994 (83) 1996
(79) 1998 (80) 2000 (86) 2002 (85) 2004
(88) 2006 (85) 2008 (86)
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ABAM Examination

• This is a Computer Examination
• 477 Test Centers Nationally and 127
  Internationally

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What to Bring to the Test Center

• Orange Permit
• Bring a copy of your Orange Permit
• Acceptance Letter
• Government Issued Identification
• Test Center Confirmation
• Test Center Address and phone number
• Snacks

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Important Notes

• Prior to the Exam
• Schedule your examination at a prometric test
  center
• Practice by taking the Tutorial on the
• ABAM Web Site www.ABAM.net/ComputerExaminationOri
  entation.PDF
• Confirm your testing appointment 7 days prior to
  the exam, December 4th.
• Exam Date is December 11th, Saturday
• Appointment times vary
• On Exam Day
• Get to the Test Center 30 minutes early, do not
  be late
• Keep your identification and your Orange Permit
  with you at all times

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Examination Schedule

• Optional Tutorial 15 minutes
• Block 1 50 Items 60 Minutes
• Block 2 50 Items 60 Minutes
• Block 3 50 Items 60 Minutes
• Block 4 50 Items 60 Minutes
• Block 5 50 Items 60 Minutes
• Optional Break Time 15 Minutes
• Optional Survey 0 Minutes
• Total 5.5 Hours
• Possible Break Time Up to 30 minutes

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Mechanics of the ABAM Certification and
Recertification Examination

• Christopher Weirs, MPA
• ABAM Director of Operations