The American Board of Plastic Surgery, Inc.®

HAND SUBSPECIALTY CERTIFICATION ANDRECERTIFICATION

2018 BOOKLET OF INFORMATION FORTHE HAND SURGERY EXAMINATION (HSE)

Seven Penn Center, Suite 4001635 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103-2204215-587-9322

E-mail: hand@abplasticsurgery.org

ABPS Website: www.abplasticsurgery.org

Copyright© 2017 ABPS

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IMPORTANT DATES AND DEADLINES

HAND EXAM – COMPUTER BASEDTEST (CBT)

August 29, 2018

HAND RECERTIFICATION EXAM –INTERNET BASED TEST (IBT)

Aug. 29 – Sept. 11, 2018

HSE Online Application available December 1, 2017Last Date to Request HSE Application

MaterialJanuary 2, 2018

Deadline - HSE Applications Finalized February 5, 2018Applications Finalized with Late Fee February 6-12, 2018

Application Approval Letters andonline Reply Forms available

March 1, 2018

Deadline - HSE Online Reply FormsFinalized

March 30, 2018

Reply Forms Finalized with Late Fee Mar. 31 – Apr. 6, 2018HSE Scheduling Permits available July 2018

Hand Exam Withdrawal Date withPartial Refund

July 30, 2018

Hand Exam for Initial SubspecialtyCertification

August 29, 2018

Hand Exam for Recertification Aug. 29 – Sept. 11, 2018Hand Exam Results available on theBoard’s website after secure log in

November 2018

Hand Subspecialty Certificates mailed December 2018

Deadline - 2018 MOC-PS® PrimaryCertification Exam Reply Form*

January 16, 2018

Deadline - 2019 MOC-PS® ExamApplication

September 3, 2018

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Board Office Policies and Reminders

Diplomates with incomplete materials will be notified via email. Incorrect or incomplete submissions (document uploads) may

result in a Missing Items Fee. The Board Office is unable to accept faxed or emailed

documents in lieu of required uploads to the Application orReply Form. Contact the Board Office for assistance.

Payment of Examination Fees is accepted only by credit card –VISA, MasterCard or American Express.

Notification of change in address, telephone number, email,etc. must be updated on the Board’s website under “MyProfile” after secure log in.

Note all Board deadline dates carefully to avoid penalties orexclusion from the examination.

Stay current on all Board requirements via the Board’s website. If you need assistance, please contact the Board Office at

hand@abplasticsurgery.org.

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Hand Surgery Examination forMOC Examination Credit

The Hand Surgery Recertification Examination may be used inlieu of the MOC Hand Modular Examination to satisfy theexamination requirement of the ABPS MOC program and torenew Hand Surgery Subspecialty Certification.

The Hand Surgery Recertification Examination must becompleted within the current 10-year MOC Cycle.

Applications are required for both the primary MOC andHand Surgery Examination processes.

Expiration of the diplomate’s primary plastic surgerycertificate automatically causes expiration of the HandSubspecialty Certificate.

If primary certification is expired or revoked, admissibility tothe HSE process can be reinstated with the renewal of theprimary certification by completing the Maintenance ofCertification Examination and all other requirements.

*Diplomates with primary certificates expiring on 12/31/2018(and who have an approved MOC Application) may prefer totake both the April 2018 MOC Examination and the September2018 Hand Surgery Examination. Please notify the Board Officeby December 14th if the MOC Reply Form is needed.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preliminary and Reference InformationImportant Deadline Dates 1Board Office Policies and Reminders 2HSE in lieu of MOC-PS 3Officers and Directors of the Board 6Advisory Council Members 7Board Staff 8Board Mission Statement 9Purpose 9Change in Contact Info 9Hand Surgery Definition 10General Information 10Hand Subspecialty Initial Certification 12Requirements For Initial Certification 15Case Collection Requirements 17Restrictions to Medical Licensure 19Notification of Admissibility 20Certificates 20Taking the Hand Surgery Examination 21Rules Governing Admissibility and Readmissibility tothe Examination 22Announcement Information 22Scheduling Permit 23Scheduling a Test Center Appointment 23Prometric Test Centers 24Examination Tutorial 24Examination Schedule 25Examination Day Requirements 25Withdrawal from the Examination 26Cancellation of Examination 26Examination Scoring 26Hand Subspecialty Recertification 27

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Requirements for Recertification 28MOC in Plastic Surgery via Hand Surgery Examination 30Restrictions to Medical Licensure 31Notification of Admissibility to the RecertificationExamination 32Certificate of Recertification 32Results and Policies 33Reporting to ABMS and Specialty Societies 34Appeals Policy 35Diplomates with Disabilities 35Irregularities 36Substance Abuse or Chemical Dependency 37Inquiries as to Status 37Certificates 37Advertising 37Revocation of Certificates 38Hand Examination Fees Inside Back

Cover

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2017-2018 OFFICERS

JOSEPH M. SERLETTI, M.D., ChairJOSEPH E. LOSEE, M.D., Chair-ElectPAUL S. CEDERNA, M.D., Vice-Chair

JOSEPH J. DISA, M.D., Secretary-Treasurer

KEITH E. BRANDT, M.D., Executive Director

R. BARRETT NOONE, M.D., Executive Director Emeritus

2017-2018 DIRECTORS

PAUL S. CEDERNA, M.D. Ann Arbor, MILAWRENCE B. COLEN, M.D. Norfolk, VAJOSEPH J. DISA, M.D. New York, NYWILLIAM W. DZWIERZYNSKI, M.D. Wauwatosa, WIFELMONT F. EAVES, III, M.D. Atlanta, GAJAMES C. GROTTING, M.D. Birmingham, ALJULIANA E. HANSEN, M.D. Portland, ORMARY JO IOZZIO, Ph.D. Boston, MADEBRA J. JOHNSON, M.D. Sacramento, CALOREE K. KALLIAINEN, M.D. Chapel Hill, NCJOAN E. LIPA, M.D. Toronto, CANJOSEPH E. LOSEE, M.D. Pittsburgh, PAMICHAEL J. MILLER, M.D. Columbus, OHDAVID T. J. NETSCHER, M.D. Houston, TXMICHAEL W. NEUMEISTER, M.D. Springfield, ILWILLIAM C. PEDERSON, M.D. Houston, TXGEORGE A. SAROSI, JR., M.D. Gainesville, FLDAVID B. SARWER, Ph.D. Philadelphia, PAJOSEPH M. SERLETTI, M.D. Philadelphia, PADAVID H. SONG, M.D. Washington, DCPETER J. TAUB, M.D. New York, NYJAMES E. ZINS, M.D. Cleveland, OH

EX-OFFICIO

DONNA L. LAMB, RN, MBA, Executive Director, RRC-PS

HISTORIAN

DAVID T. J. NETSCHER, M.D. Houston, TX

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2017-2018 Hand Surgery Examination (HSE) CommitteeWilliam W. Dzwierzynski, M.D.

Loree K. Kalliainen, M.D.David T. J. Netscher, M.D.

Michael W. Neumeister, M.D.William C. Pederson, M.D., Chair

Keith E. Brandt, M.D.

Advisory Council Members

The members listed below were nominated from the AmericanAssociation of Plastic Surgeons (AAPS), the American Society of PlasticSurgeons (ASPS), the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery(ASAPS), the American Association for Hand Surgery (AAHS), theAmerican Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH), the American Societyof Maxillofacial Surgeons (ASMS), the American Society forReconstructive Microsurgery (ASRM) and the American Society ofCraniofacial Surgery (ASCFS).

Comprehensive Plastic Surgery

Jeffrey D. Friedman (ASRM)Jeffrey E. Janis, M.D. (AAPS)

Debra J. Johnson, M.D. (ABPS)Raman C. Mababir, M.D. (ASPS)Steven L. Moran, M.D. (ASRM)Deepak Narayan, M.D. (AAPS)

Julie E. Park, M.D. (ASPS)David H. Song, M.D. (ABPS), Chair

Cosmetic Surgery

Al S. Aly, M.D. (ASAPS)Felmont F. Eaves, M.D. (ABPS)Heather J. Furnas, M.D. (ASPS)

James C. Grotting, M.D. (ABPS), ChairNolan S. Karp, M.D. (ASAPS)

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Craniomaxillofacial Surgery

William Y. Hoffman, M.D. (ASMS)Francis A. Papay, M.D. (ASPS)

Peter J. Taub, M.D. (ABPS)James E. Zins, M.D. (ABPS), Chair

Hand Surgery

Matthew J. Concannon, M.D. (ASPS)Jeffrey B. Friedrich, M.D. (ASSH)

Michael W. Neumeister, M.D. (ABPS)Scott N. Oishi, M.D. (ASSH)

William C. Pederson, M.D., (ABPS) ChairAnthony A. Smith, M.D. (AAHS)

Bradon J. Wilhelmi, M.D. (AAHS)

Keith E. Brandt, M.D., Executive Directoris an Ex-Officio member of each council.

Board Staff

Melissa A. Karch, AdministratorStephanie L. Broadbelt, MOC-PS® Program & HSE CoordinatorMaria K. D’Angelo, Test Development Manager & Exam Editor

Gwen A. Hanuscin, Examination and Projects CoordinatorMelissa M. Hill, Oral Examination Coordinator

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Mission StatementThe Mission of The American Board of Plastic Surgery, Inc. is topromote safe, ethical, efficacious plastic surgery to the public bymaintaining high standards for the education, examination,certification and Maintenance of Certification of plastic surgeonsas specialists and subspecialists.

PurposeThe purpose of this Booklet of Information is to describe theBoard’s Hand Subspecialty Certification Program and, inparticular, to describe the application process, the case collectionand the knowledge-based examination. This Booklet ofInformation supersedes all previously published information ofthe Board covering requirements, policies and procedures andmay be modified at any time.

Change in Mailing Address, Telephone Number, Facsimile and/orEmailKeep your contact information current with the Board through yourPhysician Profile on the Board’s website, www.abplasticsurgery.org.Email is the primary source of communication between you and theBoard.

All inquiries regarding Hand Subspecialty Certification orRecertification should be addressed to the Board Office

(hand@abplasticsurgery.orgor 215-587-9322).

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Hand Surgery

DefinitionHand surgery is the special field of medicine that includes theinvestigation, preservation, and restoration by medical, surgical,and rehabilitative means of all structures of the upper extremitydirectly affecting the form and function of the hand and wrist.

General InformationIn 1982, the American Boards of Orthopaedic Surgery, PlasticSurgery, and Surgery were asked by the American Association forHand Surgery and the American Society for Surgery of the Hand toconsider special recognition of those diplomates of these Boardswho had demonstrated special qualifications in hand surgery. An AdHoc Committee was formed which included representatives fromthe three Boards and the two Societies. In 1984, the Ad HocCommittee was reorganized as a Joint Committee and empoweredby the Boards to explore further the feasibility of the certificationprocess. The Joint Committee recommended that the three Boardsapply to the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) forauthorization to offer a Hand Subspecialty Certificate.

The American Board of Plastic Surgery, Inc. is not an educationalinstitution and the certificates it issues are not to be considereddegrees. The Hand Subspecialty Certificate does not confer legalprivileges or license to practice medicine or the specialty of handsurgery. Standards of certification are clearly distinct from those oflicensure. Possession of a Hand Subspecialty Certificate does notindicate total qualifications for practice privileges nor does it implyexclusion of others not so certified. There is no requirement ornecessity for a diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery,Inc. to hold a Hand Subspecialty Certificate to be consideredqualified to include hand surgery within the practice of plasticsurgery. Under no circumstances should a diplomate be considerednot qualified to practice within an area of a subspecialty solelybecause of lack of subspecialty certification.

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The American Board of Plastic Surgery, Inc. has never beenconcerned with measures that might gain special privileges orrecognition for its diplomates in the practice of hand surgery or ofthe primary specialty of plastic surgery. It is not the intent nor has itbeen the function of the certificate or of the Board to definerequirements for membership on the staffs of hospitals or todetermine who shall or shall not perform hand surgery. The Boardintends the Hand Subspecialty Certificate to represent thosesurgeons who, by virtue of additional fellowship training, practicecharacteristics that reflect a major commitment to hand surgery,and contributions to this field, have demonstrated qualifications inhand surgery that deserve special recognition.

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Hand SubspecialtyInitial Certification

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The Hand Surgery Examination (HSE)The HSE for Initial Certification is developed and administered bythe Joint Committee on Hand Surgery of the American Boards ofOrthopaedic Surgery, Plastic Surgery, and Surgery. The examinationwas first administered in 1989, and subsequent examinations areadministered annually. The examination consists of multiple-choicequestions designed to evaluate the diplomate's cognitiveknowledge of clinical hand surgery and the basic science relevant tohand surgery. Examination questions are prepared by, and are atthe direction of, The American Board of Plastic Surgery, Inc., TheAmerican Board of Surgery, Inc. and The American Board ofOrthopaedic Surgery (hereinafter “Boards”), the sole andexclusive property of the Boards, and said examination questionsare protected under the copyright laws of the United States andother countries. The examination items may only be used for suchpurposes as are designated by the Boards. All other rights arereserved by the Boards.

Hand Surgery Examination ContentCategories______________________________________I. Basic Science

A. AnatomyB. MechanicsC. Biology/Physiology/HealingD. Pathology/TumorsE. Diagnosis

II. Bone and JointA. Fractures/Dislocations (including non-union/malunion)B. ArthritisC. ContracturesD. Wrist InstabilityE. Osteonecrosis

III. Nerve – Muscle – TendonA. Peripheral NerveB. CentralC. Brachial PlexusD. Muscle – Tendon

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IV. Wound ManagementA. Physical AgentsB. CoverageC. Nailbed/FingertipD. Amputations

V. VascularA. Injury and RepairB. ReconstructionC. IschemiaD. MalformationsE. ReplantationF. Lymphedema

VI. RehabilitationA. ProstheticsB. OrthoticsC. Physical Modalities/Therapy

VII. MiscellaneousA. Congenital AnomaliesB. InfectionC. Dystrophy/PainD. Ethics and ProfessionalismE. Anesthetics

The ABPS does not provide a study guide for theHand Surgery Examination.

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Requirements for Initial CertificationTo meet the requirements for Hand Subspecialty Certification, thefollowing provisos and documentation must be completed by theapplicant:

1. Must be a diplomate of The American Board of Plastic Surgery,Inc.

2. Must have been in the active practice of hand surgery for atleast two years at the time of examination following thecompletion of all formal training.

3. Must have a current, valid, full and unrestricted license topractice medicine in a state, territory, or possession of theUnited States or by a Canadian province. The applicant mustnot be the current subject of any disciplinary action orsanction including, but not limited to, license revocation,suspension, qualification or other sanction, and mustcontinue to be licensed throughout the certification process.

Must submit a photocopy of this license and allregistration certificate(s), bearing a valid expirationdate with the Application Material and an expirationdate valid at the time of the examination with eachReply Form submitted.

Restrictions or sanctions to any medical license must bereported to the Board Office within 60 days of therestriction.

Restrictions will delay the diplomate’s progress throughthe examination process.

NOTE: If practicing in a country other than the United Statesor Canada, a valid unrestricted license, translated intoEnglish, from that country is required and must be uploadedonline. Foreign licenses will be accepted if the physician'slicense to practice medicine in a state or territory of theUnited States or Canada has not been suspended or revoked

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and has not lapsed or been surrendered in one or morejurisdictions to avoid sanctions by the jurisdiction's licensingauthority.

4. Must limit major professional activity to the field of plasticsurgery and/or hand surgery.

5. Must maintain an ethical standing in the profession and moralstatus in the community acceptable to the American Board ofPlastic Surgery, Inc. (ABPS) and in conformity with the Code ofEthics of the Board. Moral and ethical practices that do notconform to the Board’s Code of Ethics may result in rejectionof an application or in deferral of examination until suchmatters have been satisfactorily resolved.

6. Must be actively engaged in the practice of hand surgery asindicated by holding full operating privileges in an accreditedhospital throughout the examination process.

Letters of verification of current hospital medical staffprivileges in hand surgery and/or plastic surgery must beprovided to the Board from all medical staff office(s) ofeach institution. Start and end dates of privileges must belisted.

Accreditation Certificates from Outpatient SurgicalFacilities: Certificates or currently-dateddocumentation verifying the accreditation or theaccreditation in process of all non-hospital surgicalfacilities, where the diplomate operates, must beprovided. It is expected that all surgery performedunder IV sedation or general anesthetic is performedin an accredited center.

7. Must complete a hand surgery fellowship of 12 consecutivemonths. Diplomates who entered a fellowship in HandSurgery July 1, 1999 and thereafter must satisfactorilycomplete a 12-month fellowship which is accredited by the

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Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education(ACGME). The fellowship may be taken either before or afterplastic surgery residency, as long as all of the requirements ofboth the residency and fellowship have been fulfilled.

8. Must submit a 15 consecutive month case list within the twoyears preceding submission of the Application Material. Handsurgery includes only those procedures performed on theupper extremity distal to the elbow joint. The case list mustinclude a minimum of 125 cases fulfilling at least five of thefollowing nine categories:

CATEGORY MINIMUM #OF CASES

Bone and Joint (distal to the elbow joint) ...20

Nerve ............................................................20

Tendon and Muscle......................................20

Skin and Wound Problems...........................14

Contracture and Joint Stiffness....................10

Tumor ...........................................................10

Congenital ......................................................3

Microsurgery Vascular ...................................3

Non-operative ................................................6(a limit of 6 non-operative cases can be listed)

The numbers indicate the minimum number of cases to qualifyas one of the required five categories. If conducting more thanone procedure during an operation, only the primaryprocedure should be counted. Non-operative cases are those

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which require significant evaluation, such as pain problems.Only six non-operative cases may be counted towards the125 minimum cases requirement.

Complex cases can satisfy up to three categories:

Complex operative management represents a moresubstantial surgical operative experience than a less complexsingle task surgery. A complex injury is defined as those caseswhich involve several of the nine categories in addition tothe skin/wound category. Therefore, in an injury involvingthe volar wrist, multiple tendons and the median nervewould ‘count’ as two categories, tendon and nerve – but notadditionally for the skin closure. Further, no single operativecase would be allowed to count for more than threecategories towards the requirement of 125 cases.

For example, the management of a complex mutilating injuryinvolving repair of muscle, tendon, nerve, vascular injury,and skin would count for tendon and muscle, nerve, andmicrosurgery vascular, but not for the skin. This exampleclearly indicates a more complex operative experience than asimple, single task surgery. Those cases in which theinvolvement of two categories is part of a single focussurgery, such as the use of a tendon in ligamentreconstruction and tendon interposition of the basal joint,would continue to count as only one case.

Applicants who do not fulfill the practice requirements maypetition the Credentials Committee of the Board forindividual consideration. This consideration will take intoaccount other contributions and dedication to the disciplineof hand surgery such as teaching, publication,administration, and research.

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9. It is expected that ABPS hand surgeons demonstratecontributions and dedication to the discipline of hand surgerythrough teaching, publications, administration, and research.

10. Must submit an online Application, upload all requireddocuments, and pay the established fees by credit card.

11. Must receive satisfactory Peer Review evaluations as tosurgical qualifications by the current Chief of Staff or Chief ofSurgery in the primary hospital and by two hand surgeons,local or regional, who are familiar with the diplomate’s currentwork in hand surgery.

12. Must successfully pass any and all examinations prescribed bythe Joint Committee on Hand Surgery of the American Boardsof Orthopaedic Surgery, Plastic Surgery, and Surgery.

Restrictions to Medical LicensureIt is the diplomate’s responsibility to report, within 60 days, alldisciplinary actions to medical licenses from any and all StateMedical Licensing Boards. The following sanctions by any and allState Medical Licensing Boards where the diplomate holds alicense are considered a restricted license and will delay adiplomate’s admissibility to the examination process:

1. Limitation on practice or parts of practice2. Probation3. Probation with monitoring4. Probation with supervision5. Suspension

Other sanctions to a diplomate’s medical license such asreprimands, fines, citations, community service or a stayedsuspension must also be reported to the Board and will beconsidered by the Ethics Committee before a diplomate isadmissible to the Hand Surgery Examination.

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Notification of AdmissibilityOnce the requirements have been met and an Application for HandSubspecialty Certification has been approved, diplomates will besent an email notification that the Approval Letter is available fordownload from the Board’s website at www.abplasticsurgery.org.

Policy for AdmissibilityThe American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) approved aneligibility policy which sets limits for attaining board subspecialtycertification after post-residency fellowship training effectiveMarch 1, 2017. Member boards must limit the period of time thatmay lapse between the completion of an ACGME accreditedresidency training or subspecialty fellowship program andattainment of board subspecialty certification. The ABPS has setthis limit to no more than 9 years to include time in practice andcase list requirements for admission to the certifyingexamination.

CertificatesA diplomate who has met all the requirements and has successfullycompleted the examination will receive a Hand SubspecialtyCertificate (HSC) issued by the Board. Certificates issued by theBoard are valid for 10 years from the date of issuance.

Participation in the MOC-PS® Program is required tosupport the validity of the subspecialty certificate.

The HSC will not be issued unless all requirements arecurrent for participation in the Board’s MOC-PS® Program.

Expiration of the primary plastic surgery certificateautomatically causes expiration of the HSC.

Diplomates with an expired primary certificate will notbe listed as holding the HSC until all MOC-PS®

requirements are met.

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Taking theHand Surgery

Examination (HSE)(Initial Certification only)

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Rules Governing Admissibility and Readmissibility to theExaminationDiplomates are admissible to the examination only when they havesatisfactorily fulfilled the requirements in place at the time theBoard receives the formal Application Materials. No diplomate willbe admitted to the examination until the Board has determinedthat the specified requirements have been met, reviewed allsupporting credentials and approved the application.

Each diplomate will be admissible to the examination during fivecalendar years. The American Board of Plastic Surgery, Inc. expectsthat most diplomates who apply for certification/recertification willbe successful. Those who are unsuccessful on the first experiencewith the process are encouraged to continue to seekcertification/recertification.

Diplomates who do not successfully complete the examinationduring the five year period, will no longer be admissible to the HSEprocess. Diplomates must then reapply for admission to theexamination with payment of established fees. If the ApplicationMaterial for readmission is approved, the diplomate will then beoffered four additional examination opportunities in the followingfour consecutive years up to the nine-year limit required to achievesubspecialty certification. Those with an expired Hand SubspecialtyCertificate must not list certification on their Curriculum Vitae oradvertising materials unless the specific dates that the subspecialtycertificate was held are noted.

The American Board of Plastic Surgery, Inc., may deny a diplomatethe privilege of taking an examination, or may refuse issuance of acertificate, if it is found by additional disclosures or a recent changein status that the diplomate no longer meets the general orprofessional requirements.

Announcement InformationDiplomates who are admissible to the Hand Surgery Certification orRecertification Examination will be sent an email notification

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annually, throughout their period of admissibility, once the ReplyForm process is available for online submission.

Diplomates must signify their intent to take the examination bycompleting and finalizing the Reply Form, submitting theExamination Fee (credit card payment) and all other requiredmaterials by the deadline date.

If the Reply Form, Examination Fee and other required materialsare not received by the deadline date, the diplomate will not beaccepted for admission to that year’s Hand Surgery Certification orRecertification Examination.

Scheduling PermitUpon receipt and approval of all required Reply Form materials,diplomates will be scheduled for the examination. Diplomates willreceive a Scheduling Permit approximately eight weeks before theexamination.

The Scheduling Permit will include the dates of the examination,instructions, a scheduling number, Candidate ID number (CIN), tollfree number and website www.prometric.com for making anappointment at a Prometric® Test Center.

Contact the Board Office immediately if the name on theScheduling Permit is not an EXACT match to that listed on thephotographic identification. The only acceptable difference wouldbe the presence of a middle name, middle initial or suffix on onedocument and its absence on the other.

The permit and photographic identification are both required foradmittance to the test center.

Scheduling a Test Center AppointmentDiplomates should contact Prometric® immediately once theScheduling Permit is available in order to schedule anappointment. The Scheduling Permit is required to schedule the

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appointment. Delay in scheduling an appointment may result inthe inability to schedule at the diplomate’s preferred location.Registration online is recommended and preferred. Confirmationwill be sent by email. When calling, a Prometric® representativewill ask for information from the Scheduling Permit and providedetails regarding the test centers and location specified by thediplomate. Prometric® does not make appointments prior to theprovision of the permit to diplomates. Diplomates who requirespecial accommodations, and have received Board approval, mustmake a test appointment by calling the telephone number on theScheduling Permit.

Prometric® Test CentersThe Hand Surgery Examination will be administered at Prometric®

Test Centers within the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Alltest centers are set up similarly. This not only helps enhancesecurity, but also provides the same standards of uniformity forall diplomates.Visit the Prometric® website for test center locations and test dayregulations at www.prometric.com. Follow the instructions belowto schedule the examination:

Locate the Directory of Test Sponsors Select your Testing Sponsor – “HSE - Hand Surgery

Certification/Recertification Examination” (Do NOTselect American Board of Plastic Surgery)

Select “Schedule my test” Select “country” and “state” and click “next” Review important testing information Enter Scheduling # and first four letters of last name

Examination TutorialAn online tutorial is available for diplomates to review each examscreen. This is provided to relieve anxiety about the mechanics ofcomputer based testing. The tutorial also reviews the process ofmarking items for review at the completion of each section orblock of the examination. The HSE Tutorial is available for

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downloading to personal computers from the Board’s website atwww.abplasticsurgery.org in the Hand Examination section. TheBoard strongly recommends that diplomates preview the tutoriala number of times to become familiar with the Computer BasedTest format.

Examination ScheduleThe Computer Based Test will consist of the following format:

Total testing time is approximately 4 hours 15 minute optional tutorial 175 multiple-choice questions formatted in four

blocks of approximately 44 questions Blocks of 60 minute time intervals 15 minute optional break Registration time will vary

Examination Day RequirementsDiplomates must have the Scheduling Permit and the unexpiredgovernment issued photographic identification, driver’s license orpassport, in order to be admitted into the test center.

Diplomates must notify the Board Office immediately if arrival tothe test center will be delayed and the Board Office will contactPrometric®. Diplomates who are more than 30 minutes late maynot be admitted to the examination.

Diplomates are not permitted to bring any notes, textbooks,clipboards, pocketbooks, electronic devices or other referencematerials into the test center. Cell phones must be turned off andstored in your car or locker. Scratch paper is not permitted.Copying, by any means, of all or any part of such examination itemsor the unauthorized use in any way whatsoever of saidexamination items is strictly prohibited.

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Withdrawal from ExaminationIf a diplomate wishes to withdraw from the examination, writtennotification must be received in the Board Office at least 30calendar days before the first date of the examination (July 29,2018). The examination fee will be refunded less a processingcharge of $520.00. Diplomates who withdraw from the examinationafter this date or who fail to appear for the examination will forfeitthe entire fee.

Cancellation of ExaminationShould The American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, Inc., TheAmerican Board of Plastic Surgery, Inc. and The American Boardof Surgery, Inc., in their sole discretion, cancel the Hand SurgeryCertification and Recertification Examination, or as a result ofevents beyond its control be unable to administer the HandSurgery Certification and Recertification Examination at theappointed date, time and location; or should the Boards fail toconclude a diplomate's Hand Surgery Certification orRecertification Examination, the Board is not responsible for anyexpense the diplomate may have incurred in connection with thecanceled Hand Surgery Certification or RecertificationExamination, nor for any expense the diplomate may incur forany substitute Hand Surgery Certification or RecertificationExamination.

Examination ScoringThe Examination is scored and analyzed by the National Board ofMedical Examiners (NBME), which is a data processing and testingorganization. NBME has extensive experience in the scoring andanalysis of medical examinations. The Board is confident that thescoring is done with absolute accuracy.

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Hand SubspecialtyRecertification

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PurposeThe purpose of Hand Subspecialty Recertification is to demonstrateto the profession and the public, through periodic evaluation, that aspecialist has maintained continuing qualifications at a currentlyacceptable level in hand surgery.

The Hand Surgery Examination for RecertificationThe Hand Surgery Examination for Recertification has historicallybeen developed and administered by the Joint Committee on HandSurgery of the American Boards of Orthopaedic Surgery, PlasticSurgery and Surgery. The first recertification examination wasadministered in 1996 and subsequent examinations areadministered annually. The Hand Surgery Examination forRecertification consists of multiple-choice questions designed toevaluate the diplomate's cognitive knowledge of clinical handsurgery applicable to those in practice for greater than 7 years.

The American Board of Plastic Surgery is planning a transition ofthe Hand Recertification Examination to an online platform in2018. This will allow diplomates to complete the recertificationexamination from a home or office computer. Information for the2018 recertification examination administration will be providedas those details are finalized.

Requirements for Recertification1. Must have been certified in hand surgery by the American

Board of Plastic Surgery, American Board of OrthopaedicSurgery or American Board of Surgery for seven or more yearsat the time of submission of the Application for Recertificationand such certification must not have been revoked.

2. Must have a valid Primary Plastic Surgery Certificate and becurrent on all MOC requirements for those diplomatesparticipating in the MOC-PS® program of the Board.

3. Must have a current, valid, full and unrestricted license topractice medicine in a state, territory, or possession of theUnited States or by a Canadian province which is not the

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current subject of any disciplinary action or sanctionincluding, but not limited to, revocation, suspension,qualification or other sanction, and must continue to belicensed throughout the certification process.

Must submit a photocopy of this license and allregistration certificate(s), bearing a valid expirationdate with the Application Material and an expirationdate valid at the time of the examination with eachReply Form submitted.

Restrictions or sanctions to any medical license must bereported to the Board Office within 60 days of therestriction.

Restrictions will delay the diplomate’s progress throughthe examination process.

NOTE: If practicing in a country other than the UnitedStates or Canada, a valid unrestricted license, translatedinto English, from that country is required and must beuploaded online. Foreign licenses will be accepted if thephysician's license to practice medicine in a state orterritory of the United States or Canada has not beensuspended or revoked and has not lapsed or beensurrendered in one or more jurisdictions to avoidsanctions by the jurisdiction's licensing authority.

4. Must be actively engaged in the practice of hand surgery asindicated by holding full operating privileges in a hospital or beinvolved in the teaching of hand surgery and/or relevantresearch activities.

Letters of verification of current hospital medical staffprivileges in hand surgery and/or plastic surgery must beprovided to the Board from all medical staff office(s) ofeach institution. Start and end dates of privileges must belisted.

Accreditation Certificate(s) from Outpatient SurgicalFacilities: Certificates or currently-dated

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documentation verifying the accreditation oraccreditation in process of all non-hospital surgicalfacilities where the diplomate operates must beprovided. It is expected that all procedures under IVsedation or general anesthetic are performed inaccredited centers.

5. Must receive satisfactory Peer Review Evaluations regardingsurgical qualifications by the current Chief of Staff or Chief ofSurgery in the primary hospital and by two hand surgeons,local or regional, who are familiar with the diplomate’s currentwork in hand surgery. Peer evaluations submitted within oneyear with the MOC-PS® Application may be acceptable tosatisfy this requirement.

6. Must maintain an ethical standing in the profession and moralstatus in the community acceptable to the American Board ofPlastic Surgery and in conformity with the Code of Ethics of theBoard. Moral and ethical practices that do not conform to theBoard’s Code of Ethics may result in rejection of an applicationor in deferral of examination until such matters have beenresolved satisfactorily. Any sanctions or restrictions to anystate medical license must be reported at the time ofapplication and throughout the process.

7. Must submit the prescribed Application Material, allrequired documents and pay the established fees.

8. Must successfully pass any and all examinations prescribed bythe American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Maintenance of Certification (MOC) in Plastic Surgery via the HandSurgery Examination (HSE)Diplomates completing the HSE for Recertification may use thatexamination in lieu of taking the MOC Cognitive Examination ifcompleted within the current MOC cycle.

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The MOC online Application, Registration Fee and allother required documents must be submitted andapproved.

Hand Subspecialty Recertification can be obtained through theABPS, ABS or ABOS.

All Recertification Examinations can be taken up to three yearsprior to the expiration date on the certificate.

EXAMPLE TIMELINE– HAND SURGERY EXAMIN LIEU OF MOC EXAM

PRIMARYCERTDATE

PRIMARY EXPDATE

HSCDATE

HSCEXP

DATE

HANDRECERTEXAM

NEWPRIMARY

CERT.EXP

DATE

NEW HSCEXP

DATE

2009 2019 2010 2020 2017,2018

or2019

2029 2030

Restrictions to Medical LicensureIt is the diplomate’s responsibility to report, within 60 days, alldisciplinary actions to medical licenses from any and all statemedical licensing boards. The following sanctions by any statemedical licensing board where the diplomate holds a license areconsidered a restricted license and will delay a diplomate’sadmissibility to the examination process:

1. Limitation on practice or parts of practice2. Probation3. Probation with monitoring4. Probation with supervision5. Suspension

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Other sanctions to a diplomate’s medical license such asreprimands, fines, citations, community service or a stayedsuspension must also be reported to the Board and will beconsidered by the Ethics Committee before a diplomate isadmissible to the HSE for Recertification.

Notification of Admissibility to the Recertification ExaminationOnce the requirements have been met and an Application forRecertification has been approved, diplomates will be sent an emailnotification that the Approval Letter is available for download fromthe Board’s website.

Certificate of RecertificationThe Board will issue a Hand Subspecialty Certificate (HSC) forRecertification to diplomates who successfully complete therecertification process. Certificates are valid for a 10 year period.The recertification expiration date will be ten years from the date ofthe successful completion of the Recertification Examination unlessthe examination was taken before the previous certificate expired.In the latter instance, the recertification expiration date will be tenyears from the expiration date of the previous certificate.

Participation in the ABPS MOC Program is required tosupport the validity of the HSC for those diplomates certified1995 and after.

The HSC for Recertification will not be issued unless allrequirements are current for those diplomates participatingin the Board’s MOC Program.

Expiration of the primary plastic surgery certificateautomatically causes expiration of the HSC.

Diplomates with an expired primary certificate will not belisted as holding the HSC until all MOC requirements aremet.

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Results andPolicies

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ResultsThe results of the examination will be mailed and posted to thePhysician Profiles in November. The time period betweenadministration of the examination and notification of results isnecessary to allow for extensive analysis and to assure thatindividual results are reliable and accurate. Diplomates will receivea Result Letter and Performance Report.

Results of the examination will not be reported to the public until aweek after the results mailing date to allow sufficient time fordiplomates to access their letters. Please note that results areavailable to the diplomate online with secure log in to the Board’swebsite.

Diplomates will pass or fail on the strength of their performance onthe examination. The score on the examination will be determinedby the total number of alternatives answered correctly. Therefore,diplomates are encouraged to answer all items.

PASSIf a diplomate passes the Hand Surgery Certification orRecertification Examination, he/she will be informed in writing. Anemail notification will also be sent once the Result Letters andPerformance Reports are posted to the individual Physician Profileson the Board’s website accessible with secure log in.

FAILIf a diplomate fails the Hand Certification or RecertificationExamination, he/she will be informed in writing. A diplomate whohas received a failing grade result must repeat the entire HandSurgery Certification or Recertification Examination.

Reporting to ABMS and Specialty SocietiesThe Board supplies basic identifying data on diplomates who aresuccessful in obtaining Hand Subspecialty Certification andRecertification to the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS)for its Directory. The individual's biographic entry in the Official

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ABMS Directory of Board Certified Medical Specialists will showHand Surgery Certification and Recertification as well as PlasticSurgery Certification.

The Board also notifies the success of diplomates on the HandSurgery Examinations to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons,the American Association for Hand Surgery (AAHS) and theAmerican Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH). Diplomatesshould notify the Board Office in advance if they do not wish to beincluded on the notification lists. Diplomates will have theirbiographic listings retained in the directory for Hand Surgery only ifthey have acquired Hand Surgery Recertification prior to theexpiration of the Hand Surgery Certificate.

Special Situations - Appeals PolicyThe Board has established a policy relative to resolution ofquestions or disagreements regarding its decisions on admissibility,the form, content, administration or results of the examination andthe revocation of certificates. If a diplomate has a concern in any ofthese areas, it should be expressed in writing to the Board Office. Acopy of the Appeals Policy, which is available on the Board’swebsite, will be sent to that individual.

Diplomates with DisabilitiesThe American Board of Plastic Surgery, Inc. has established a policyregarding examination of diplomates with disabilities. If adiplomate is requesting an accommodation based on a disability,the request should be expressed in writing to the Board Office atthe time they submit the Application Material. A copy of the Policyfor Examination of Diplomates with Disabilities is available on theBoard’s website. The American Board of Plastic Surgery, Inc.complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and willprovide reasonable accommodations to diplomates with provendisabilities. It is expected that pre-existing disabilities wereidentified by the candidate for previous Board examinations.Required documentation previously approved by the Board for an

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identified disability accommodation will usually be sufficient for theHand Surgery Examination.

IrregularitiesThe validity of scores on the examination is protected by everymeans available. The Board will not report a score which it hasdetermined to be invalid, i.e., which does not represent areasonable assessment of the diplomate's knowledge orcompetence sampled by the examination. The performance of alldiplomates is monitored and may be analyzed for the purpose ofdetecting invalid scores.

Prometric® test center proctors supervise the examination toensure that the examination is properly conducted. If evidence byobservation or analysis suggests that a diplomate’s scores may beinvalid because of irregular behavior, the Board will withhold thosescores pending further investigation and the affected diplomate willbe notified. Examples of irregularities affecting the validity of scoreswould include (but are not limited to) the following: 1) using notes;2) sharing information or discussing the examination in progress; 3)copying answers from another diplomate; 4) permitting one'sanswers to be copied; or 5) unauthorized possession, reproduction,or disclosure of examination questions or answers or other specificinformation regarding the content of the examination before,during, or after the examination. In such circumstances, uponanalysis of all available information, the Board will make adetermination as to the validity of the scores in question. If theBoard determines that the scores are invalid, it will not releasethem, and notification of that determination may be made tolegitimately interested third parties.

Diplomates or other persons who are directly implicated in anirregularity are subject to additional sanctions. For example, theBoard may bar the persons permanently from all futureexaminations, terminate a diplomate's participation in an ongoingexamination, invalidate the results of the diplomate's examination,withhold or revoke a certificate or take other appropriate action.

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Diplomates or other persons subject to additional sanctions will beprovided with a written notice of the charges and an opportunity torespond to such charges in accordance with the reconsiderationand appeal procedures established by the Board.

Substance Abuse or Chemical DependencyDiplomates with a history of abuse of a controlled substance orchemical dependency will not be admitted to any examinationunless they present evidence satisfactory to the State MedicalBoard that they have successfully completed the program oftreatment prescribed for their condition. All restrictions on thestate medical license must be lifted prior to the deadline for theReply Form.

Inquiries as to StatusThe Board considers a diplomate’s record not to be in the publicdomain. When an inquiry is received by the Board regarding adiplomate’s status with the Board, a general, but factual, statementis provided which indicates that person's status within the processof certification. The Board provides this information only toindividuals, organizations, and institutions with a reasonably valid"need to know" for professional reasons.

CertificatesCertificates issued by the Board shall be in such form as theDirectors may from time to time determine. Certificates are signedby the Chair, Secretary-Treasurer and Executive Director of theBoard and shall have placed upon them the official seal of theBoard. Additional certificates are available upon written request. Afee for each certificate ordered must be included with the request(refer to Fee Schedule on the Board’s website). The diplomate’sname should be listed, as it should appear on the certificate.

AdvertisingA diplomate in the HSE process may advertise as “BoardAdmissible” or “Board Eligible” for the subspecialty certificate oncean application is approved by the Board confirming admissibility to

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the examination. ABPS diplomates who have obtained a HandSubspecialty Certificate may advertise themselves as follows: "ABPSCertified in the Subspecialty of Hand Surgery." Those with anexpired Hand Subspecialty Certificate may only list the certificationon their Curriculum Vitae or advertising materials if the dates ofcertification are specified.

Revocation of CertificatesAny certificate issued by the Board shall be subject to revocation atany time if the Board, in its judgment, determines that a diplomatewas not properly qualified to receive it or has become disqualifiedsince its receipt. The diplomate shall be advised if revocation ofcertification is contemplated and shall be given an opportunity toreply to allegations bringing about such action. The diplomate willbe given an opportunity to rebut such allegations according to thedirections and operations manual of the Board.

The Board may revoke the Hand Subspecialty Certificate of anydiplomate who, after opportunity for full and fair hearing by themedical staff or other appropriate body of a hospital, state orcounty medical society, government licensing body, professionalspecialty society or a court of law, has been found guilty of orpleaded guilty to a felony, professional incompetence,professional misconduct, unethical conduct or harmful,deceptive, or fraudulent advertising. Refer to the ABPS Code ofEthics.

The Board shall have the jurisdiction and right to determinewhether or not the evidence and information placed before it issufficient to constitute grounds for the revocation of anycertificate issued by the Board. The diplomate will be providedthe Appeals Policy of the Board, and the Policy will be observed inpursuing resolution of the issues placed before the Board.

Each Hand Subspecialty Certificate issued by the Board shall besubject to revocation in the event that the physician so certified

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shall have made any misstatement of material fact, or failed tomake any statement of material fact, in the application for HandSubspecialty Certification or Recertification or in any otherstatement or representation to the corporation or itsrepresentatives or shall have otherwise acquired the certificateby deception. Upon revocation, the Hand Subspecialty Certificateshall be surrendered and returned to the Board Office.

For questions or concerns, please contact the BoardOffice staff at hand@abplasticsurgery.org.

We are here to help!

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NOTES

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NOTES

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Hand Surgery Examination FeesApplication Registration Fee (Payable with onlineApplication and is non-refundable.)

$ 405.00

Application Registration Late Fee $ 160.00Hand Surgery Examination Fee (Payable withonline Reply Form)

$1,240.00

Examination Late Fee $ 250.00Exam Withdrawal Fee $ 520.00Missing Items Fee $ 120.00Credentials Review Fee $ 280.00Ethics Review Fee $ 280.00Additional Certificate Fee $ 145.00Verification of Status Fee $ 50.00

Application and Examination Fees must be submitted bycredit card only. Certain additional fees may be accepted bycheck. Foreign currencies, including Canadian, areunacceptable. Fees are non-refundable.

Fees are subject to change by the Board. The fee scheduleapplicable to the current examination will apply regardlessof when the diplomate is approved for admission to theexamination.

The Board is a nonprofit organization, and the fees ofdiplomates are used solely for defraying the actual expensesof the Board. The Directors of the Board serve withoutremuneration.

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THIS BOOKLET OF INFORMATION SUPERSEDES ALL PREVIOUSLYPUBLISHED BOOKLETS OF INFORMATION OF

THE BOARD CONCERNING REQUIREMENTS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURESAND MAY BE MODIFIED AT ANY TIME.

The Registered Trademark Logo of the American Board of PlasticSurgery depicts Gaspare Tagliacozzi (1545-1599) of Bologna,considered to be the father of modern plastic surgery. Hiscontributions are summarized in the treatise he authored in 1597,"De Curtorum Chirurgia per Insitionem." The founding year of theBoard, 1937, is included on the Logo. The Board’s trademarkedlogo is not permitted for use on diplomate or candidatewebsites.

A Member Board of theAmerican Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS)