<p>
	To be eligible for certification in Urgent Care Medicine through the Board of Certification in Urgent Care Medicine (BCUCM), the applicant must:</p>
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		Submit a completed Urgent Care Medicine application with required processing fee, two (2) passport-size photographs taken within the last 90 days, and a notarized signature.</li>
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		Be in conformity with the Code of Ethics of the American Board of Physician Specialties, be known in his/her community as an ethical member of the profession, and be an active specialist in Urgent Care Medicine.</li>
</ol>
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		Be a graduate of a recognized college of medicine confirmed by a copy of an allopathic/osteopathic degree or a letter of verification from the institution where the degree was earned. In the case of foreign medical schools, an English transcription of the document is also required. Graduates of foreign medical schools must also include a copy of the ECFMG Certificate. Canadian medical schools and medical training programs are considered equivalent to U.S. medical schools and medical training programs.</li>
</ol>
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		Hold a valid and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the United States or its territories or in Canada and submit copies of all licenses. License(s) must include date of expiration.</li>
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		Submit current curriculum vitae which includes medical school experiences and degrees earned in chronological order.</li>
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		Be certified on the &quot;Provider&quot; level in the Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) program, and Advanced Pediatric Life Support (APLS) or Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) program.</li>
</ol>
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		All applicants must have completed residency training in a program approved by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) and deemed acceptable to the Board of Certification in Urgent Care Medicine. Such training must include substantial and identifiable training in Urgent Care Medicine as determined by the Board of Certification in Urgent Care Medicine and approved by the ABPS.</li>
</ol>
<p>
	<br />
	The ABPS accepts all residencies accepted by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC), including approved residencies outside Canada. ABPS therefore accepts all residencies approved by ACGME, AOA, or RCPSC.</p>
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		In addition to fulfilling requirement 7 above, applicants must be qualified under one (8a, 8b, 8c or 8d) of the following:</li>
</ol>
<ol start="8" type="1">
</ol>
<ol start="1" type="a">
	<li>
		Completed an ACGME or AOA-accredited residency in Emergency Medicine, Family Practice, combined Internal Medicine/Pediatrics, combined Family Practice/Emergency Medicine, combined Internal Medicine/Emergency Medicine, or combined Pediatrics/ Emergency Medicine,<strong> <u>AND</u></strong> have practiced Urgent Care Medicine on a full-time basis for 2 consecutive years <strong><u>AND</u></strong> have accumulated a minimum of 2,800 hours in the practice of Urgent Care Medicine.<br />
		&nbsp;</li>
	<li>
		Completed an ACGME or AOA-accredited residency in Emergency Medicine. Family Practice, combined Internal Medicine/Pediatrics, combined Family Practice/Emergency Medicine, combined Internal Medicine/Emergency Medicine, or combined Pediatrics/ Emergency Medicine<strong>,<u> AND</u></strong> have been an instructor in Urgent Care Medicine on a full-time basis for 2 consecutive years<strong><u> AND</u></strong> have accumulated a minimum of 2,800 hours in the practice and/or instruction and teaching of Urgent Care Medicine in a distinct outpatient department or clinic that is part of an ACGME-approved institution for postgraduate medical education.<br />
		&nbsp;</li>
	<li>
		Completed an ACGME, AOA, RCSPC, or CFPC accredited residency other than those mentioned above (in 8a), which includes substantial and identifiable training in Urgent Care Medicine as determined by the BCUCM and approved by the ABPS <strong><u>AND</u></strong> have practiced Urgent Care Medicine on a full-time basis for five (5) consecutive years <strong><u>AND</u></strong> have accumulated a minimum of 7,000 hours in the practice of Urgent Care Medicine.<br />
		&nbsp;</li>
	<li>
		Fellowship Training Program: Completed a 12-month Urgent Care Medicine fellowship training program recognized by the BCUCM. (This Fellowship Training Program does not constitute a residency program, and <strong><u>does not</u></strong> fulfill the residency requirement specified in item 7.). These programs will have been approved by the Academic Committee of the Urgent Care Association of America.<br />
		<br />
		Currently, the BCUCM has approved the following fellowship training programs:</li>
</ol>
<ul>
	<li>
		University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH</li>
	<li>
		University of Illinois College of Medicine, Rockford, IL</li>
</ul>
<p>
	<strong><u>NOTE:</u></strong> Applicants must have been working full-time Urgent Care Medicine for the 12-month period prior to application and must be currently working full-time in Urgent Care Medicine in an urgent care facility acceptable to the board. An Urgent Care Medicine (UCM) clinic or facility is a medical facility which includes medical staff and diagnostic testing (EKG, x-ray, and basic point-of-care lab-testing) which provides, for the majority of the patients seen at the facility, episodic, unscheduled evaluation and treatment for patients with a broad spectrum of acute, not immediately life-threatening injuries and illnesses.</p>
<p>
	The capability to recognize and provide stabilizing care and efficient transfer for patients with more severe or life-threatening conditions is also essential. UCM facilities are open during hours of the day beyond typical medical office hours, and on weekends and most holidays. Facilities may be medical clinics that are free-standing or are separate clinics within hospitals or larger multi-specialty practices.</p>
<p>
	A fast-track area within an emergency department may also be considered a UCM facility if the above capabilities are present. All facilities will be verified and must meet approval of the board according to these criteria. For the purpose of defining &quot;full-time&quot; practice, the BCUCM requires verification of a minimum of 1,400 hours per 12-month period. Verification of less than 1,400 hours in a 12-month period will not be accepted.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	<strong><u>NOTE:</u></strong> Independent verification of urgent care facilities and hours must be submitted <u>on letterhead stationery</u> (from someone with access to information regarding the physician&#39;s experience) <u>itemized by year and number of hours earned each year</u>. Hours may be presented over a 12-month consecutive period or a calendar year. Clinic/facility medical director or lead administrator must complete the verification. For a sample facility verification letter <a href="http://abpsus.org/userfiles/files/UCfacilityVerificationform(1).pdf" target="_blank">click here</a></p>
<p>
	<strong><u>NOTE:</u></strong> ACLS, and APLS or PALS do not have to be current at the time of submitting the application, but must be current and on file 30 days prior to taking the examination.</p>
<p>
	<strong><u>NOTE:</u></strong> Physicians applying under option 8(a) must include a notarized copy of their completed Emergency Medicine, Family Practice, combined Internal Medicine/Pediatrics, combined Family Practice/Emergency Medicine, combined Internal Medicine/Emergency Medicine, or combined Pediatrics/ Emergency Medicine residency certificate. Applicants are also required to submit independent verification of the years and hours worked in Urgent Care Medicine, which must be earned in an Urgent Care facility, as described in the <strong>NOTES</strong> above.</p>
<p>
	<strong><u>NOTE:</u></strong> Physicians applying under option 8(b) must include a notarized copy of their completed Emergency Medicine, Family Practice, combined Internal Medicine/Pediatrics, combined Family Practice/Emergency Medicine, combined Internal Medicine/Emergency Medicine, or combined Pediatrics/ Emergency Medicine residency certificate. Applicants are also required to submit, on institution letterhead, a letter from the department chairman regarding their teaching position at the institution, including years of involvement and full-time status, which must occur in an Urgent Care facility, as described in the <strong>NOTES</strong> above.</p>
<p>
	<strong><u>NOTE:</u></strong> Physicians applying under option 8(c) must include a notarized copy of their completed residency certificate. Applicants are also required to submit independent verification of the years and hours worked in Urgent Care Medicine, which must be earned in an Urgent facility, as described in the <strong>NOTES </strong>above.</p>
<p>
	<strong><u>NOTE:</u></strong> Physicians applying under option 8(d) are required to submit a notarized copy of their completed residency and fellowship certificates.</p>
<p>
	Submit three (3) letters of recommendation from Diplomates of an ABPS, ABMS, or AOA-recognized board of certification. Letters of recommendation must be current (dated no more than one year prior to the date the application for certification is received by ABPS) and on letterhead stationery, which includes a address and telephone number for the signatory. Letters submitted on plain paper without such contact information for the signatory are not acceptable. The BCUCM requires original letters; copies are not acceptable. The BCUCM recommends that the letters be sent to the applicant to be included with the other application documents.</p>
<p>
	Submit a documented report of a minimum of ten (10) Urgent Care Medicine cases for which the physician had the lead management role. &nbsp;All applicants are required to choose five areas, from the following ten (Infectious disease; Pediatrics; Orthopedics; Pulmonary disease; Gastrointestinal disease; Cardiovascular disease; Ear/nose/throat disease; Wound care; Obstetrical/gynecological disorder; Evaluation, stabilization, and transfer of a critically-ill patient from the clinic to a higher level of care), on which to submit cases. The remaining five cases may document any other area of practice that the applicant chooses.</p>
<p>
	The case reports must be no older than twelve (12) months from the date the candidate&rsquo;s application for certification is received by ABPS. Case reports shall only include information on the care and services provided by the applicant. At the point where a patient&#39;s care is transferred to another physician or facility, the applicant&#39;s case presentation is complete. The applicant must sign each case. Case reports must be properly compiled (see Case Report Requirements below) and include an index and written verification of accuracy by the facility&#39;s administration. Case reports not presented in accordance with the description provided by the BCUCM will be returned. The BCUCM recommends that applicants keep a copy of all documents submitted.<br />
	<br />
	<strong><u>NOTE:</u></strong> The Board in general looks for cases that show the application of accepted/standard medical practice in the management of the patient, resulting in an excellent outcome. The Board is not looking for controversial or unusual case management, even if the physician can justify his or her actions. One purpose of Board certification is to demonstrate knowledge/application of practices acceptable in Urgent Care Departments across the United States and Canada.</p>
<p>
	All physicians must do a self-query of the National Practitioner Data Bank and submit a sealed (unopened envelope) copy of the report as part of the application process. The report need not be submitted with the application but must be provided in order for the applicant to be approved to take the written examination. For information on performing a self-query of the Bank, go to the National Practitioner Data Bank at <a href="http://www.npdb-hipdb.hrsa.gov" target="_blank">http://npdb-hipdb.hrsa.gov</a> for information.<br />
	<br />
	All Canadian physicians must request and submit a testament statement from each Province in which a license is held, verifying that there have been no disciplinary actions against the applicant.</p>
<p>
	All physicians must allow ABPS to perform a background check, attested by initialing the appropriate line on the application form.</p>
<p>
	All physicians must submit the signed candidate appeal form.</p>
<p>
	Payment of appropriate fee. To view the fee schedule, <a href="/initial-medical-board-certification-fees" target="_blank">click here</a>.</p>
<p>
	The BCUCM recommends that the applicant keep a copy of all application documents submitted to the ABPS.</p>
<p>
	<br />
	<strong>Case Report Requirements</strong></p>
<p>
	<br />
	The applicant must submit two (2) <strong>separately compiled copies</strong> of ten (10) case reports in the following format:</p>
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		Case reports must be typewritten. Photocopies of typewritten case reports are acceptable.</li>
</ol>
<ol start="2" type="1">
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		Case reports must be double spaced on 8.5&quot; x 11&quot; white paper.</li>
</ol>
<ol start="3" type="1">
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		Case reports must be compiled in a hard, report style binder, or a three-ring binder (no sheet protectors, staples, or paper clips).</li>
</ol>
<ol start="4" type="1">
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		The applicant must sign each case report.</li>
	<li>
		An index shall be placed at the front of reports indicating the type of case (diagnosis) and the page number on which the case can be found.</li>
</ol>
<ol start="6" type="1">
	<li>
		Confirmation of validity of the reports by hospital administrator, medical records director, or whoever performs such duties at the facility. This must be on official letterhead verifying that you were the physician treating the patient in each case on the date stated. If the applicant&#39;s cases reflect work at more than one institution, then separate letters must be submitted verifying the cases from each institution. This validation must be <strong>notarized and signed</strong>. (Refer to sample index/verification form.)</li>
</ol>
<ol start="7" type="1">
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		Case reports should contain the following information:
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				For patient no. list the same number as the case number (Refer to verification form.)</li>
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				Date of Urgent Care treatment</li>
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				Chief complaint</li>
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				History</li>
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				Physical examination and results of the Urgent Care work-up, including any tests</li>
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				Urgent Care course and final disposition including condition of patient at the time of completion of your care of the patient, as well as final diagnosis</li>
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				Each case must include <strong>discussion</strong> of the case, demonstrating to the Credentials Committee what the thought process was in the evaluation of the patient, diagnostic and treatment approach, and indication that the candidate understood the <strong>pathophysiology</strong> of the patient&#39;s problem, and some rationale to explain the patient&#39;s final disposition. This is the most important section of the case report and will be reviewed <strong>closely</strong>.</li>
		</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
<p>
	The BCUCM Credentials Committee reserves the right to seek additional details for any case it deems necessary. Board certified practicing Urgent Care Physicians carefully scrutinize these cases. Every attempt at accuracy and clarity should be made. Please note that <strong>case reports are not copies of dictated </strong><strong>Urgent Care<strong> summaries from the chart</strong></strong>, but are specifically prepared documents for the application packet. <strong>Case reports not adhering to the above mentioned format will be rejected</strong>.</p>
