Did the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) approve the creation of a new CV Board?
What’s next?
We feel strongly that the ABCVM met all the criteria required for a new Board, including aligning with the rigorous, recently updated ABMS “Standards for Continuing Certification.” These standards promote integrated, specialty-specific programs that further a diplomate’s continuous professional development and emphasize improvements in health care quality, safety, value, and competency, rather than a focus on punitive examinations. In addition, the ABCVM application met the expected financial metrics for establishing a new, independent Board with tremendous professional support within the “house of cardiology”, and beyond.
ABCVM Board of Directors is reviewing options for next steps. In the meantime, we expect that ABMS will listen to the feedback and comments from the cardiovascular community.
We are overdue on rethinking the current approach to assessment and maintenance of competency and look forward to continuing to find new ways to ensure continuous cardiovascular clinical competence in a manner that meets the best interests of cardiovascular physicians and patients, alike.
What should I do for Maintenance of Certification?
Those participating in maintenance of certification (MOC) through the American Board of Internal Medicine, should continue to do so using the Collaborative Maintenance Pathway (CMP), Longitudinal Knowledge Assessment (LKA) or the 10-year exam to fulfill requirements.
What led to the decision to apply for a new CV Board?
The field of cardiology has evolved as its own distinct specialty, separate from internal medicine. The House of Cardiology felt strongly that having a separate and distinct certifying Board was necessary for sustaining professional excellence and effectively caring for cardiovascular patients. In 2024, the proposed American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine was officially created and a 15-member Board of Directors was named to guide the Board through the application process.
What cardiovascular societies were behind the creation of the American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine?
The American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association, the Heart Failure Society of America, the Heart Rhythm Society and The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions were behind the effort to create a new, independent American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine under the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).
What was the process for applying to create a new Board?
There is a formal application process for reviewing and evaluating applications for approval of new ABMS medical specialty boards, that includes formal submission of an application, an open public comment period and a final decision. The ABMS issued the final decision denying the application for the ABCVM in February 2025.