Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) in Advanced Diagnostic Bronchoscopy

2021 Application Requirements

1. Board Certified or Board Eligible in pulmonary medicine or thoracic surgery from the USA or Canada.
2. Proof of training in Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration (TBNA) and Radial EBUS or Navigation Bronchoscopy.
   •  Proof of training may come from pulmonary or pulmonary critical care fellowship, or thoracic surgery fellowship training OR attendance and completion of training courses or electives at national or international locations.
     • Provide the name of the institution, dates attended, and the name(s) of the mentor/supervising physician.
     • Letter showing existing privileges/credentials to perform the above specified bronchoscopies OR a letter from your mentor OR your current supervisor OR your division chief/director OR your pulmonary/pulmonary critical care fellowship director attesting your competency in the above procedures.
3. Interventional Pulmonology board-eligible or board certified physicians are not eligible to participate in the CAQ process.

Updated: 08/21/2021

The Knowledge Assessment Test (KAT) is the first component of the CAQ.

Application & Payment Deadline: Monday, October 18, 2021

Knowledge Assessment Test (KAT) Fee: $1500.00

Testing Dates: December 6 through December 12, 2021

Location: Various Scantron testing sites.  Once your complete application has been approved by the eligibility committee, the AABIP will notify Scantron that your application has been approved and you are eligible to select a testing date, time, and location.  Scantron will contact you for scheduling late October/early November.

Apply below in section “APPLY NOW – 2021 CAQ Application Form”

The Procedure Assessment Test (PAT) is the second component of the CAQ.

This skills assessment test will be using validated tools for assessing proficiency in EBUS-TBNA and peripheral bronchoscopy (Radial-EBUS, Medtronic and Veran navigation platforms).  The assessment will take place at CHEST’s headquarters in Chicago, Illinois on the following dates:

PAT Testing Location: CHEST Headquarters, 2595 Patriot Blvd, Glenview, IL 60026

Component 2: Procedure Assessment Test (PAT)

• PAT Test Dates:
  • August 2022 – Deadline to apply and pay for August 2022 dates 6/5/2022
    • Thurs, Aug 25, 2022: 1:00pm – 4:00pm CST
    • Fri, Aug 26, 2022: 5:00pm – 6:00pm CST (max 2 learners)
    • Sat, Aug 27, 2022: 5:00pm – 6:00pm CST (max 2 learners)
  • September 2022 – Deadline to apply and pay for September 2022 dates 7/5/2022
    • Wed, Sept 21: 2:00pm – 4:00pm CST
    • Thurs, Sept 22: 5:00pm – 6:00pm CST (max 2 learners)
    • Fri, Sept 23: 5:00pm – 6:00pm CST (max 2 learners)
    • Sat, Sept 24: 5:00pm – 6:00pm CST (max 2 learners)

Testing availability is limited per date.  We encourage you to schedule and pay for your preferred CAQ testing date in advance due to the limited availability.  Testing will be scheduled on a first come, first serve basis.

Once you have paid for the PAT, please complete the PAT Registration Form below.

CAQ- Procedure Assessment Test (PAT) Fee: $750.00

Deadlines of payment for PAT:

• Deadline to apply and pay for August 2022 dates — 6/5/2022
• Deadline to apply and pay for September 2022 dates — 7/5/2022

Click Here to submit payment for the CAQ-PAT

• You can register for CAQ KAT and PAT together or separately.
• You must have successfully completed the CAQ KAT prior to taking the CAQ PAT.  You have up to three years after the date of your passing CAQ KAT to successfully complete the CAQ PAT.
• If you have paid for both tests but decide to not take one or both tests for any reason, your money will be refunded according to the refund policy (refund policy below).

2021 CAQ application submission and completion deadline: Monday, October  18, 2021

Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) in Advanced Diagnostic Bronchoscopy

2021 Application Requirements

1. Board Certified or Board Eligible in pulmonary medicine or thoracic surgery from the USA or Canada.
2. Proof of training in Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration (TBNA) and Radial EBUS or Navigation Bronchoscopy.
   •  Proof of training may come from pulmonary or pulmonary critical care fellowship, or thoracic surgery fellowship training OR attendance and completion of training courses or electives at national or international locations.
     • Provide the name of the institution, dates attended, and the name(s) of the mentor/supervising physician.
     • Letter showing existing privileges/credentials to perform the above specified bronchoscopies OR a letter from your mentor OR your current supervisor OR your division chief/director OR your pulmonary/pulmonary critical care fellowship director attesting your competency in the above procedures.
3. Interventional Pulmonology board-eligible or board certified physicians are not eligible to participate in the CAQ process.

APPLICATION PROCESS

The CAQ in advanced diagnostic bronchoscopy application process will be conducted ONLINE and will include:

1. KAT Application fee: $1500
2. PAT Application fee: $750
   • You may register for the CAQ KAT and PAT together or separately.
3. Application Form
4. Submit supporting documents:
   • Medical School diploma
   • Proof of board eligibility or certification in Pulmonary Medicine or Thoracic Surgery.
   • Proof of training in Endobronchial Ultrasound guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration OR Navigation Bronchoscopy. (Letter from Program Director or Mentor or Section Chief or Credentials Committee or Training Course Director attesting to your ability in the listed procedures.)
   • License to practice medicine in the USA or Canada

Updated: 08/21/2021

KAT testing dates are December 6 through December 12, 2021 and will take place at the various Scantron testing sites.  Once you have completed all of the application requirements and have been approved by the Eligibility Committee, the AABIP will notify Scantron that your application has been approved and you are eligible to select a testing date, time, and location.  Scantron will begin contacting applicants to being scheduling exams in late October/early November.

Successful completion of the KAT component is a prerequisite for taking the PAT component.  Once you have paid for the PAT, please complete the PAT Registration Form below.

DO NOT USE INTERNET EXPLORER FOR THE ONLINE SUBMISSION. PLEASE USE CHROME OR FIREFOX

Deadline to submit 2021 CAQ KAT Application: Monday, October 18, 2021

Deadline of Payment – KAT: October 18, 2021

Deadlines of payment for 2022 PAT:

• Deadline to apply and pay for August 2022 dates — 6/5/2022
• Deadline to apply and pay for September 2022 dates — 7/5/2022

Component 1: Knowledge Assessment Test (KAT)

• KAT Test Date: The KAT will be offered December 6 through December 12, 2021.
• Location:  Scantron Test Centers (located throughout the United States)

Component 2: Procedure Assessment Test (PAT)

• PAT Test Dates:
  • August 2022 – Deadline to apply and pay for August 2022 dates 6/5/2022
    • Thurs, Aug 25, 2022: 1:00pm – 4:00pm CST
    • Fri, Aug 26, 2022: 5:00pm – 6:00pm CST (max 2 learners)
    • Sat, Aug 27, 2022: 5:00pm – 6:00pm CST (max 2 learners)
  • September 2022 – Deadline to apply and pay for September 2022 dates 7/5/2022
    • Wed, Sept 21: 2:00pm – 4:00pm CST
    • Thurs, Sept 22: 5:00pm – 6:00pm CST (max 2 learners)
    • Fri, Sept 23: 5:00pm – 6:00pm CST (max 2 learners)
    • Sat, Sept 24: 5:00pm – 6:00pm CST (max 2 learners)

Testing availability is limited per date.  We encourage you to schedule and pay for your preferred CAQ testing date in advance due to the limited availability.  Testing will be scheduled on a first come, first serve basis.

Once you have paid for the PAT, please complete the PAT Registration Form below.

Location: CHEST Headquarters, 2595 Patriot Blvd, Glenview, IL 60026

Disclaimer:

CHEST and AABIP leadership and staff are continually monitoring the pandemic, weighing the shifting trajectory of the infection and infection control measures implemented locally and nationally.  At present, we are planning to hold the CAQ PAT in Chicago, Illinois, pending travel restrictions, CDC recommendations, and the Restore Illinois regional plan. In the event that we are unable to hold the in-person skills examination, we will reach out to the registrants to provide alternative dates and venues. Please check AABIP website regularly for more details.

If accepted, the applicant will be notified by e-mail regarding eligibility to sit for the examination. This eligibility will be valid for three years. The applicant must sit and successfully complete the CAQ KAT and PAT during this time-frame, if they are unable to do so, the applicant will be required to complete the application process again.

Please allow the Eligibility Review Committee 4 to 6 weeks to review your application.

If the application is rejected, the notification will come by e-mail as well as a letter from the current Chair of the Eligibility Review Committee.  If the application is rejected, the individual will have the opportunity for an appeal.  The appeal must be initiated by the applicant via a formal email to theaabiporg@gmail.com requesting review.  This appeal must be requested within 2 weeks of the date of the rejection letter, in order to make the deadline for the examination. Chair of the CAQ Eligibility Review Committee will then review the appeal and entire application.  If the application is rejected again, the Chair of the CAQ Eligibility Review Committee will present this application to the AABIP Board of Directors.  The Board of Directors will vote anonymously and majority opinion determines the final status of the appeal.  If the Board of Directors’ decision is to confirm rejection of the application, the final notification will be sent to the applicant by e-mail as well as a formal letter from the AABIP, signed by the current President.  The applicant will, however, have the opportunity to reapply for future examinations based on the applicable criteria at that time.

Once the application process has been completed and approved, the Eligibility Review Committee will compile a list of individuals accepted to sit for the examination and forward this to Scantron, who will provide the registrant with all of the necessary information regarding exam registration, location and logistics.

This refund policy applies to the KAT and PAT.

All documentation must be received prior to the application submission deadline of October 18, 2021 @ 11:59 pm EST.  Failure to provide all documentation will lead to forfeiture of the application fee.  If the applicant chooses to withdraw from consideration he/she will have 1 week from the date of initial application for a full refund (This is the CANCELLATION DEADLINE), after which a penalty of $150 will be kept for administrative costs. If the withdrawal is requested before the application is marked as complete, the penalty of $150 will apply.  If the withdrawal is requested after the application is marked as complete, refunds will be processed as per the policy outlined below or the applicant may choose to apply the full amount towards the next year’s application plus any additional costs if applicable. (See refund policy below.)

• 85% of the exam fee will be refunded if cancellation is received on or before 11:59 pm EST of the respective payment deadline.
• 50% of the exam fee will be refunded when cancellation is received between 12:00 midnight EST on the day after the respective payment deadline and 11:59 p.m. EST on the day prior to the correlating exam.

Once all of the credentialing material has been submitted, an individual account and packet will be put together by the AABIP administrative staff and forwarded to the Chair of the CAQ Eligibility Review Committee to be reviewed. Rejections must be accompanied by appropriate comments by the CAQ Eligibility Committee.  If approval is not granted, the funds will be refunded.