Setting the highest certification standards for psychiatrists and neurologists since 1934

Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry

(formerly Psychosomatic Medicine)

Subspecialty name changed to Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry on January 1, 2018.

Subspecialty Name Change

Those initial certification candidates who take and pass the Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Certification Exam after January 1, 2018 will receive certificates with the new subspecialty name.

 

Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry History and Statement of Principles

The ABPN, in concurrence with the ABMS, established a Committee on Certification in the Subspecialty of Psychosomatic Medicine (CLP) 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 first examination was administered in 2005.

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.

Currently, there is no limit on the number of times an applicant may apply to take the initial certification in the subspecialty of clinical neurophysiology examination.  For Board eligibility requirements, please visit:  Board Eligibility (abpn.org).


 

Specific Training Requirements

Applicants for certification in consultation-liaison psychiatry must be certified by the Board in general psychiatry by December 31 of the year prior to the examination administration. All applicants other than those initially approved during the practice pathway period (2005-2009) are required to submit documentation of successful completion of one year of ACGME-accredited fellowship training in 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 consultation-liaison psychiatry given to psychiatry residents as part of their basic psychiatry curriculum does not count toward the one year of training. All licensing and training requirements must be met by July 31 of the year of the examination.

The required one year of specialized training in consultation-liaison psychiatry 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, including exact dates (month/day/year to month/day/year) outlining training content, duties, and responsibilities. Each case is considered on an individual basis and documentation must be submitted to the Board prior to the start of training for special consideration.

Currently, ABPN does not accept training from international programs.