FAQs
Q: Why is there a board certification program in Clinical Lipidology?
Atherosclerotic events, including myocardial infarction and stroke, account for approximately one-third of all deaths in the U.S. Lipid management employing dietary, lifestyle, and pharmacologic modalities has been demonstrated to be one of the most effective strategies for the prospective treatment of cardiovascular disease. Yet, the number of specialists with expertise in lipid management is inadequate to address this large population of patients.
The American Board of Clinical Lipidology was established to assess the level of knowledge required to be certified as a Clinical Lipidologist, to encourage professional growth in the practice of Lipidology, and to enhance physician practice behavior to improve the quality of patient care.
Q: Who is a Clinical Lipidologist?
Clinical Lipidologists are physicians who come from a variety of backgrounds such as general Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Family Practice, Osteopathy, and Obstetrics & Gynecology. The ABCL certification program establishes a consistent benchmark of expertise in the field of clinical Lipidology. A statistical breakdown of current Diplomates is available on the lipidboard.org website.
Q: Why should I become a certified Clinical Lipidologist?
The commitment to achieve certification by the American Board of Clinical Lipidology requires hard work, time and effort, however, the recognition carries with it significant, long-term value including the following benefits:
- Certification by the ABCL signifies that you have documented your commitment to continued professional development in Lipidology.
- Certification provides assurance to the public, your colleagues and the medical profession that you have successfully completed a course of education in lipid management and have passed an additional rigorous examination in Clinical Lipidology.
- Certification contributes to your professional stature and credibility in the field and provides stronger credentials for enhanced professional and advancement opportunities.
Q: What is a “Diplomate of the ABCL”?
A Diplomate has successfully credentialed and passed the certification exam, and has been endorsed by the American Board of Clinical Lipidology as displaying a high level of experience, knowledge, and competence in clinical lipidology.
Q: Is a Diplomate the same as a “Fellow”?
No. A Fellow would normally have met a standard designated by a professional organization such as the NLA, AHA, ACC, AACE, etc. Once granted the title of “Fellow,” the acronym specifying the type of fellowship awarded can be used as a professional title, e.g., John Smith, MD, FNLA, FAHA.
Q: What are the requirements for certification?
Eligibility requirements for the examination are outlined on the website and in the application and handbook available for download on the site.
Q: How long does it take to qualify for the ABCL exam?
It depends on if you have earned the requisite number of points required to successfully credential for the exam by the time of application. A physician board-certified by a primary care board such as ABIM or ABFM and also holding subspecialty certification in a related field such as endocrinology or cardiology would automatically possess 100 of the 200 points necessary to sit for the ABCL exam. After you apply, the Credentialing Committee will decide within 30 days whether you qualify for the exam. See the eligibility requirements for more information.
Q: How many physicians have been certified by the ABCL to date?
Since November 2005, more than 525 physicians have achieved certification in Clinical Lipidology.
Approximately 100 physicians sit for the exam each year.
Q: Is the examination difficult? What is the pass rate?
Many Diplomates say it is one of the more rigorous exams they have taken. The pass rate ranges from 80-85%.
Q: When is recertification required?
Recertification must be completed ten years after initial certification and it will require that you take part in ongoing continuing professional education and development.
Q: Are there courses or reference materials to assist in preparation for the examination?
Continuing Education:
The National Lipid Association (NLA) offers a lifelong learning program that paves the way for professional development and recognition of the distinct and specialized knowledge required of clinical lipidologists. Lipidology is an evolving field that requires clinicians to stay abreast of the latest clinical research and treatment guidelines and to apply this knowledge in practice. The NLA strives has developed educational activities at all levels of competency and provides continuous clinical updates, opportunities for self-assessment and practice improvement.
The ABCL recommends the National Lipid Association’s 4-Volume Self Assessment Program (NLA-SAP) and the NLA's Masters in Lipidology Advanced Training and Board Review Course as the best preparation for the ABCL exam. In addition, the credit hours earned from participating in these activities will help you to meet the credentialing criteria.
Please visit www.lipid.org and click on the Education & Meetings button to find out more information about these continuing education activities.
Textbooks:
There are a number of excellent new textbooks in clinical Lipidology and authored by our members. A list is provided on www.lipid.org on the “Bookshelf” page (found under the “Education & Meetings” button). Many of these textbooks, such as Therapeutic Lipidology, are available to NLA members at a significant discount off the publisher’s price.
Q: Tell me more about the Certifying Examination
You will have 4 hours to complete the exam, which consists of approximately 240 multiple-choice questions. The subject content of the certifying examination reflects the knowledge, skills, and attitudes deemed essential for the competent practice of Lipidology, as outlined in the approved Core Curriculum in Clinical Lipidology. The content focuses broadly on the biochemistry and metabolism of lipids; the genetics, diagnosis and management dyslipidemias and the metabolic syndrome; and, the fundamentals of vascular biology. The examination has been constructed at the upper level of difficulty. The specific content breakdown can be found in the ABCL Applicant Handbook.
Q: What are the Fees?
| Application and Credentialing Fee | $300 (non-refundable)* | |
| Examination Fee | $900 | |
| Total Certification Fee | $1,200 |
* A one-time $300 non-refundable application fee is incurred upon receipt of the application by the ABCL, regardless of eligibility outcome.
Q: Is ABCL recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS)?
The ABCL is an independent certifying board, established as a nonprofit 501c3 organization in 2003. At this time, the board is not recognized by the ABMS or any other accrediting agency. The leadership of the NLA and the ABCL are committed to the formal recognition and designation of specialty status for the field of Clinical Lipidology by the ABMS, however, this is a long-term pursuit. The process of applying for ABMS recognition is rigorous and many requirements must be met before ABMS will consider an application from a new Board, including the approval of ACGME recognized training programs in the field.
*Please note that several states restrict a physician's use of the term "board certification" to those boards recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). The American Board of Clinical Lipidology adheres to the "AMA Guidelines for Truthful Advertising Physician Services," used to ascertain the legitimacy of certifying boards, although the ABCL has not been recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. However, because several states prohibit a physician from advertising "board certification" by a Board not recognized by the ABMS, physicians should consult with state law before explicitly advertising "board certification" by the ABCL. Use of the term "Diplomate of the American Board of Clinical Lipidology" is acceptable in all states.
For your convenience, a list of state regulations is available from the ABCL office by request. Because such laws change frequently, however, ABCL Diplomates should consult with local authorities to ascertain local regulations before advertising their ABCL board certification.
Q: What if I am not a physician?
The Accreditation Council for Clinical Lipidology (ACCL) offers two certification and credentialing pathways for allied health professionals and other para-professionals working in or specializing in clinical lipid management. Visit www.lipidspecialist.org for complete details.
Q: Do you offer certification to physicians practicing outside of the United States?
The ABCL certification program is currently open to physicians licensed in the United States or Canada only. The credentialing criteria and the examination terminology have been designed to meet US standards. A separate international certification program is under discussion.