Fequently Asked Questions

The American Board of Interventional Pain Physicians (ABIPP) is a Specialty Board providing Board Certification in Interventional Pain Management and Competency Certification in Controlled Substance Management, Competency Certification in Coding, Compliance, and Practice Management and Competency Certification in Fluoroscopic Interpretation and Radiological Safety. The eligibility requirements and examination materials for ABIPP certification programs have been developed based on substantial review and analysis of the current state of medical and scientific knowledge of the treatment of pain, as reflected in the medical literature. The ABIPP Board of Directors, with the assistance and advice of the professionals in relevant fields, has developed certification programs that recognize accepted levels of knowledge and expertise in the profession, with the goal of improved patient care.

In September of 2005, the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP) and the World Institute of Pain (WIP) joined forces to provide board certification in interventional pain management with the ultimate goal of state medical licensure boards’ and ABMS recognition.

WIP formed the worldwide Fellowship of Interventional Pain in recent years with the purpose of offering certification to physicians in interventional techniques on an international basis. ASIPP partnered with WIP to provide a crucial missing certification component—Controlled Substance Management and Coding, Compliance and Practice Management, which is vital to U.S. physicians.

ABIPP certification was created as a response to the need for a board specifically for the sub-specialty of interventional pain managment.

The American Board of Interventional Pain Physicians offers certifications -- good for 10 years after passing the exam -- only to physicians licensed to practice medicine in the United States. Eligibility requirements for Competency Certification examinations and for Board Certification are different, as explained below. (Scroll down for Board Certification -- Diplomate -- eligibility.)

Clinicians who study for and pass competency examinations can improve the efficiency of their medical practice to meet federal and state regulations. Certification proves that they have taken the necessary steps to deal with major areas of government scrutiny, which should be helplful if exposed to an audit or investigation by the OIG or DEA.

ABIPP requires physicians to have completed an ACGME residency and to have an active license to practice medicine in one of the 50 states. Candidates with institutional license, such as residents, may also appear for the examination. Applicants should have:

• Completed ACGME approved residency in a primary specialty or is currently a resident enrolled in the ACGME approved residency program.
• A professional standing satisfactory to ABIPP.

ABIPP offers competency certification in CODING, COMPLIANCE, AND PRACTICE MANAGEMENT (CCCPM). Advance study guide

The applicant is tested in the following subject areas:

1. DOCUMENTATION 20%
2. PRACTICE MANAGEMENT 20%
3. CODING AND BILLING 40%
4. COMPLIANCE 20%

The American Board of Interventional Pain Physicians (ABIPP) is a specialty board providing Board Certification in Interventional Pain Management and Competency Certification in Controlled Substance Management, Competency Certification in Coding, Compliance and Practice Management and Competency Certification in Fluoroscopic Interpretation and Radiological Safety.

The major goals of ABIPP are to maintain the highest standards of practice of interventional pain management by fostering education and training in interventional pain management, including interventional techniques alone or in conjunction with other modalities of treatments.

To achieve these major goals, ABIPP has undertaken to offer Diplomate Certification for interventional pain physicians. This includes not only a theoretical evaluation of knowledge, but competency in performing interventional techniques, and patient management.

Consequently, the rules of ABIPP are much more stringent and complicated than other available boards at the present time.

Minimum Requirements

For any candidate to be considered for ABIPP Diplomate Certification the minimum requirements are:

1. A primary ABMS board certification.
2. An active license to practice medicine in the United States

Certification

Certification is offered by means of examination and reciprocity.

No Examination (Reciprocity)
For a physician to receive certification without any further examination, a candidate should have been certified in all three areas as follows:

1. ABMS pain medicine subspecialty certification.
2. Certification as Fellow of Interventional Pain Practice (FIPP) by WIP
3. Competency certification in both areas of controlled substances, and coding, compliance and practice management.

Certification in fluoroscopic interpretation and radiation safety is NOT a requirement for ABIPP reciprocity as a diplomate.

For a candidate with ABMS pain medicine subspecialty certification with no other certifications, the following is required:

1. Certification as Fellow of Interventional Pain Practice (FIPP) by WIP
2. Competency Certification in both Controlled Substance Management and Coding, Compliance and Practice Management (each is a separate examination).

For a candidate with FIPP certification but WITHOUT ABMS pain medicine subspecialty certification:
The requirements are as follows:

1. Successful completion of ABIPP part I theoretical examination.

Competency examinations in controlled substances and coding, compliance, and practice management are NOT required for reciprocity for Diplomate purposes. This information is covered in Part I.

For a physician with a primary board certification and fellowship training:
The requirements are as follows:

1. Successful completion of ABIPP Part I theoretical examination.
2. Successful completion of Fellow of Interventional Pain Practice (FIPP) by WIP.

There is NO requirement to complete Competency Certification examinations in controlled substances and coding, compliance, and practice management separately. This information is covered in Part I.
For a candidate with primary board certification but without fellowship training in the practice of interventional pain management:

1. Six years of interventional pain management practice (50% or greater) with:
   • A total of 300 hours of continuing education.
   • Of these 300 hours, 50 hours must be cadaver training.
2. Successful completion of ABIPP Part I theoretical examination.
3. Successful completion of Fellow of Interventional Pain Practice (FIPP) by WIP.

It is NOT necessary to complete competency certification examinations in controlled substances and coding, compliance, and practice management for this purpose. This information is covered in Part I.

Fee Structure

1. The fee for reciprocity is $100.
2. The fee for Part I examination is $1,500. (A candidate appearing for Part I examination need not appear for competency certifications in controlled substances and coding, compliance, and practice management unless it is required for some other purpose).
3. The fee for Fellow of Interventional Pain Practice (FIPP) is $2,500. The FIPP is organized by WIP.
4. Various review courses offered are to facilitate not only preparation for examination, but for education. Thus it is not mandatory for a person to attend any of the review courses.
5. The fee for Competency Certification examinations is separate and the fee is required as it costs significant amounts of money to develop an examination and administer it. Similar courses offered by Vanderbilt or other institutions are more expensive.

All three applications for ABIPP reciprocity, ABIPP examination, and FIPP examination are available on the ABIPP website.
For further information on FIPP, please go to www.worldinstituteofpain.org