CSPE Exam Passage & State Licensure Requirements
At its October 2020 meeting, CPME received a request from NBPME to “modify the requirement of passing the CSPE examination from prior to beginning a residency program to prior to completing a residency program.” The Residency Review Committee made a recommendation to the Council, which the Council approved. That recommendation and resultant action states that residency programs will not be cited with an area of noncompliance if they accept students entering residency training in 2021 who have not passed the NBPME Part II CSPE. The Council did not go so far as to state when students or residents should take the examination, as that is outside the purview of the Council.
Of concern is the fact that CSPE is used by many state licensing boards as a requirement for candidates who have applied, or who are applying, for licenses to practice, including those starting residencies.
This situation may impact candidates and programs participating in the 2021 CASPR cycle. Applicants, who have not passed CSPE prior to start of their residency, may be unable to obtain a license in states requiring CSPE for licensure and have not modified the requirement.
The Federation of Podiatric Medical Boards (FPMB) has contacted each state licensure board and requested completion of a survey to ascertain their licensure requirements and any possible regulatory modifications to those requirements, based on the changes to NBPME’s requirements with regard to CSPE. The results of FPMB’s efforts can be reviewed HERE. This summary will be updated as new information becomes available.
AACPM Response to COVID -19
The American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine (AACPM) continues to monitor guidance from federal, state, and local health agencies as it relates to the coronavirus (COVID-19). Find information and updates from AACPM below.
AACPM Operations
The AACPM is fully operational and continues to provide services in support of its colleges, teaching hospitals and their students and residents. We continue to monitor guidance from federal, state, and local health agencies regarding coronavirus (COVID-19). We will update this page as more information becomes available.
Prospective Students
AACPM recognizes all students are impacted by COVID-19 right now. We are working closely with AACPMAS, our colleges and other relevant partners to ensure we provide transparent and timely communication. If you have a specific question about how COVID-19 may impact your ability to apply, interview or matriculate into a college of podiatric medicine this fall or for a future class, we encourage you to visit these resources:
For guidance on “Modifications for the Current Application Cycle”
For information on coronavirus and the MCAT exam
To apply to podiatric medical college visit the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine Application Service (AACPMAS)
Interested in learning more about becoming a podiatric physician, check out our Upcoming Events
Current Students
CSPE Testing Temporarily Suspended
In view of new travel restrictions imposed by Pennsylvania, the NBPME has suspended the Part II Clinical Skills Patient Encounter sessions that were scheduled for November 30 and December 1 and 2. Candidates currently scheduled are being contacted by NBOME to offer refunds or the opportunity to reschedule. NBPME plans to offer additional dates for testing around the February dates previously announced. These will be available to the affected candidates in addition to others who plan to take the test during this cycle.
Modifications to AMPLE Testing Schedule
The NBPME has announced modifications to the upcoming APMLE testing schedule. Please check their website for further details.
AACPM Cancels 2021 CRIP and Announces CRISP
October 2, 2020. Due to the global COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, the American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine is announcing the cancellation of the CRIP (Centralized Residency Interview Program) event scheduled for January 7-12, 2021 in Frisco, TX.
Protecting the health, safety, and well-being of our applicants, program faculty members, staff, and ultimately patients is paramount, and serves as the reason for our decision to cancel CRIP. To further delay a decision would risk leaving insufficient time to make and implement alternative plans, putting an additional, unnecessary strain on everyone affected. Put simply, it is the right thing to do during this historic time.
AACPM is actively putting the final details in place for a contingency plan, the Centralized Residency Interview SCHEDULING Program (CRISP). CRISP will provide its participants “one stop shopping” for interview scheduling just as CRIP did for its attendees. We will also provide educational resources for all applicants and programs on conducting virtual residency interviews.
You may view the full modified CASPR 2021 schedule here.
AACPM and CPME Issue Recommendations on Podiatric Clerkships and Residency Interviews
June 15, 2020. This guidance is not meant to replace the independent judgment of medical schools, sponsoring institutions, or clerkship and residency programs in setting appropriate requirements for the preparation of their students and meeting the needs of their patients.
AACPM & CPME Recommendations for Podiatric Medical Education
CPME Modifies MAV in Response to Coronavirus
Effective March 30, 2020, CPME has decreased the required MAVs (minimum activity volume) by 15% for all categories, allowing residents with excess volume in surgical categories 4 (Other Osseous Foot Surgery) and 5 (Reconstructive Rearfoot/Ankle) to be utilized to supplement lower volume in categories 1-3 (Digital, First Ray, and Other Soft Tissue Foot Surgery) and waive the diversity requirements for residents completing training in 2020. This temporary reduction in MAVs is based on the fact that the effects of COVID-19 will be in effect for at least four of the required 36-months of training in a Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Residency (PMSR).
CPME’s full updated “Guidance on COVID-19 for Residency and Fellowship Education” is here.
To access CASPRweb.
