Back To Main Site


Documentation Checklist


For details of the criteria to sit for the exam, please download the PDF version of the Certification Exam Prerequisites & Policies.

All applicants are responsible for knowing and meeting American Board of Phlebology certification examination prerequisites prior to submitting their application.

Please use the following as a checklist guideline and include requested items IN THIS SEQUENTIAL ORDER (if not self-contained on this form packet) with your application. Note that additional documentation may be required, depending on the applicant’s circumstances and prior experience. Intersperse any additional documents in the order referenced in the form.

Copies of several documents are permissible.

  1. Complete the application online (preferred method) and pay the non-refundable application fee ($495) and the refundable exam fee ($2100) for a total of $2595.00.

  2. Two passport-sized photographs.

  3. A current Curriculum Vitae.

  4. A copy of an allopathic or osteopathic degree (MD or DO) from an accredited college of medicine, or letter of verification from the institution where the degree was earned. In the case of foreign medical schools other than Canada, an English translation of the document is required. Graduates of foreign medical schools who practice in the United States must also include a copy of their ECFMG Certificate.

  5. A copy of your current valid, full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the United States, its territories or a Canadian province in which the applicant’s practice of medicine is regularly conducted.

  6. A copy of your residency training certificate of completion from an ACGME (Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education) accredited institution, an institution accredited by the AOA (American Osteopathic Association), the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) or a letter from the program director of successful completion of a residency program. Alternatively, proof of past or current board certification in an ABMS- or AOA-recognized certification board.

  7. You will choose ONE of the four paths in the Prerequisites section of the application to qualify. The Paths are outlined below.

PATH ONE "Fellowship Route"



i.
Submit one letter attesting to the satisfactory completion of ACP Approved Fellowship program.

ii.
Submit one letter from the program director of the completed fellowship program.

PATH TWO "Residency Route"



i.
Submit one letter attesting to the satisfactory completion of the residency program.

ii.
Submit one letter from the program director of the completed residency program.

Note: The director letters for the Fellowship and Residency Routes should:

  • Reference 6 general competencies identified by the ACGME and ABMS; patient care, medical knowledge, practice-based learning and improvement, interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism, and system-based practice.

  • Describe the phlebology training provided.

  • Verify the candidate has provided active phlebology care under supervision and with demonstrated competence. Active care means direct participation in patient care that would include, at a minimum, gathering a history, performing a physical exam, assessing pertinent diagnostic studies, and forming and carrying out a treatment plan.

  • Verify the candidate has demonstrated competence and been supervised in diagnostic peripheral venous duplex ultrasound.

  • Verify the candidate has demonstrated competence and been supervised in at least one of the categories

PATH THREE "Experience Route"



i.
Submit on a separate piece of paper a description of your phlebology training and experience with dates. This should be at least 3 paragraphs in letter or report format.

ii.
Complete a Reference Contact Form, listing three physicians who are current ABPh diplomats, ABMS diplomats or validated by a certification board recognized by the AOA, ABMS or RCPSC.- No more than one reference may be a partner or associate and the other two referrals need to be familiar with your practice through referral or direct observation.

iii.
Complete Phlebology Experience case log documenting at least 100 consecutive phlebology Category I-VI cases not to exceed two (2) years from the date of your application. You must use the ABPh Case Log provided on the ABPh website (www.AmericanBoardOfPhlebology.org). This form is in both Excel and PDF formats, and Excel is preferred. If completed in Excel, the completed log should be emailed to info@TheABPh.org. Name the file Lastname_Firstname_Caselog.xls If Excel is not available, you may print and manually complete the PDF version of the log. Refer to the Case Log for specific instruction on how to complete the log. Note: The case log has two columns pertaining to Diagnostic Ultrasound. These columns will or will not be filled out dependent on your ultrasound experience as explained in item iv below.

iv.
Document Ultrasound Training and Experience Qualifications with ONE of the following ways.
  • Hold an active RVT, RVS or RPVI Credential (submit copy of card or certificate
  • Complete peripheral venous duplex ultrasound training in an ACGME, RCPSC or AOA - accredited residency or fellowship that includes didactic and clinical vascular laboratory/ultrasound interpretation as an integral part of the program, then submit a letter from your program director or supervisor verifying length of ultrasound experience or successful completion of a sonography program.
  • On the Phlebology Experience Case log, you must document a minimum of 100 cases of your diagnostic peripheral venous duplex ultrasound experience. These cases must not to exceed two (2) years from the date of your application

v.
List a minimum of 45 CME credit hours obtained in the area of Phlebology within the past three (3) years prior to the date of your application. The list must include the type of CME, name of the educational program, the name of the sponsoring institution, the date of the program, and the number of CME credit hours obtained.

PATH FOUR "Distinguished Scholar Route"


This pathway may be used as an alternative to the case log requirements in Section II, Path Three, item iii, experience case log requirement. For applicants to be eligible for this path, they must be given approval by the ABPh Board, by submitting a written request to the Board with reasons why they cannot complete an experience case log.


i.
Fulfill and satisfy general documentation requirements in addition ii-vi.

ii.
Published, in a peer-reviewed journal, ten (10) or more articles (excluding extracts and letters) related to phlebology.

iii.
Delivered a minimum of twenty (20) oral presentations related to phlebology at formal medical educational conferences (free of commercial interest.)

iv.
Be a member of the teaching faculty of an academic institution with an ACGME, RCPSC, AOA or ACP - accredited residency or fellowship program.

v.
Provide curriculum vitae detailing comprehensive professional accomplishments, scholarly activity, peer-reviewed publications and oral presentations at medical conferences. (This can replace the CV listed in the General Documentation Requirements)

vi.
Provide letters from at least five (5) references attesting to the applicant’s exceptional academic and scholarly qualifications.