Psychosomatic Medicine

Deadlines, Fees and Content for Initial Certification in Psychosomatic Medicine
History and Statement of Principles

The ABPN, in concurrence with the ABMS, established a Committee on Certification in the Subspecialty of Psychosomatic Medicine in 2003. This was done to officially establish the field of psychosomatic medicine as a definite area of subspecialization in psychiatry and to provide a means of identifying properly trained and experienced psychosomatic medicine subspecialists.

The actual mechanics of certification of qualified candidates have been delegated by the Board to the Committee, which operates under the supervision of and in accordance with the policies of the Board.

Specific Requirements During the Grandfathering Period (through 2009)

This is a brief summary of training requirements and not intended to be all inclusive. Read the current Information for Applicants publication for all requirements for Initial Certification in Psychosomatic Medicine.

Applicants for certification in psychosomatic medicine must be certified by the Board in general psychiatry by December 31 of the year prior to the examination administration.

Applicants may qualify for examination by submitting documentation of successful completion of one year of ACGME-accredited fellowship training in psychosomatic medicine that did not begin before the time general residency training in psychiatry, including time spent in combined training programs, was completed. The exposure to psychosomatic medicine given to psychiatry residents as part of their basic psychiatry curriculum does not count toward the one year of training.

During the “grandfathering period,” as an alternative to one year of ACGME-accredited fellowship training in psychosomatic medicine, applicants may qualify by submitting documentation of one of the following two sets of temporary criteria:

  1. Satisfactory completion of 12 months of fellowship training in psychosomatic medicine (consultation/liaison psychiatry) that did not begin before the time general residency training in psychiatry, including time spent in combined training programs, was completed. The exposure to psychosomatic medicine given to psychiatry residents as part of their basic psychiatry curriculum does not count toward the one year of training. Training must be completed by July 31 of the year prior to the examination.
    OR
  2. A minimum of 25% of practice time devoted to psychosomatic medicine (consultation/liaison psychiatry) for a minimum of two years.

The specialized training in psychosomatic medicine may be completed on a part-time basis as long as it is not less than half time; credit is not given for periods of training lasting less than one year except under special circumstances that must be approved by the ABPN Credentials Committee. In such cases, it is the responsibility of the applicant to provide detailed documentation from the respective training directors outlining training content, duties, and responsibilities. Each case is considered on an individual basis.

Specific Training Requirements After 2009

This is a brief summary of training requirements and not intended to be all inclusive. Read the current Information for Applicants publication for all requirements for Initial Certification in Psychosomatic Medicine.

Applicants for certification in psychosomatic medicine must be certified by the Board in general psychiatry by December 31 of the year prior to the examination administration. After the 2009 examination, all applicants other than those initially approved during the “grandfathering period” are required to submit documentation of successful completion of one year of ACGME-accredited fellowship training in psychosomatic medicine that did not begin before the time general residency training in psychiatry, including time spent in combined training programs, was completed. The exposure to psychosomatic medicine given to psychiatry residents as part of their basic psychiatry curriculum does not count toward the one year of training. All licensing and training must be met by July 31 of the year of the examination.

The required one year of specialized training in psychosomatic medicine may be completed on a part-time basis as long as it is not less than half time; credit is not given for periods of training lasting less than one year except under special circumstances that must be approved by the ABPN Credentials Committee. In such cases, it is the responsibility of the applicant to provide detailed documentation from the respective training directors outlining training content, duties, and responsibilities. Each case is considered on an individual basis.

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