ABU adopts new policies on expert witnesses, expired certificates, more

The American Board of Urology has adopted several new policies in areas such as expert witnesses in medical liability cases and expired/revoked certificates.

Expert witness. The expert witness policy states that a trustee shall not be allowed to serve as an expert witness (for either plaintiff or defendant) in medical liability cases while a trustee of the board. The policy applies to new cases (after term of service on board commences), and will not apply to providing medical testimony for a trustee’s own patients.

Expired or revoked certificates. Diplomates who are candidates for recertification can take the recertification examination in year 7, 8, or 9. Candidates who fail to pass the examination by the end of year 9 will lose their certificate upon its February expiration. The candidate then has 2 grace years during which time he/she can apply to take the recertification exam another two times (year 10 and 11); if the candidate passes the recertification examination in the 10th year, the certificate is returned. In the 11th year, but not in the 10th year, the candidate must submit a new log. If the candidate fails in year 11, he/she will have to repeat the entire certification process again in order to obtain a certificate.

For diplomates who let their certificate lapse (due to not taking the recertification examination) and individuals who have had their certificate revoked: Individuals who are within 5 years of active practice are allowed two attempts to pass the recertification examination during a consecutive 2-year period. They also must have an active medical license, peer review, pay a $1,500 fee, submit a log, and have a total of 150 urology-focused CME credits since the time of lapse or revocation. At least 90 of the urology-focused CME credits must have been obtained in the year prior to taking the recertification examination.

If the applicant has not been in practice for over 5 years, then the applicant is no longer eligible to take the recertification examination and will need to repeat the entire certification process in order to obtain a certificate.

For details on these and other new policy changes, including those affecting the recertification examination, conflict of interest statements, and maintenance of certification certificates, visit: www.urologytimes.com/ABUpolicies.