Breast Ultrasound
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Breast Ultrasound Certification
Certification demonstrates a dedication to quality patient care and public safety through adherence to established standards for performance and training in breast ultrasound. The program offers a means of recognition to individual surgeons who meet criteria in the areas of clinical experience, training, and quality assurance. The framework of the program is based on the principles for the proper performance and interpretation of diagnostic and interventional breast ultrasound, its appropriate clinical application, and use of interventions to guide further management as outlined in the Society’s Performance and Practice Guidelines for Breast Ultrasound.
Program Goals
The American Society of Breast Surgeons recognizes the leading role of surgeons as providers of clinical expertise in management of patients with breast abnormalities. A major goal of the Society’s breast ultrasound certification program is to improve the quality of care for patients with breast disease by encouraging education and training to advance expertise and clinical competency for surgeons who use ultrasound and ultrasound-guided procedures in their practices.
The American College of Radiology (ACR) accepts breast ultrasound certification by ASBrS as a qualification to work in ACR-accredited facilities. Certification in breast ultrasound by the American Society of Breast Surgeons is one of the qualification options for physicians performing breast ultrasound in an ACR accredited facility effective August 2014. ACR’s Breast Ultrasound Accreditation Program Requirements are available here.
Requirements for Initial Certification
There are two components to the breast ultrasound certification process:
- A clinical application
- A written examination
While the examination and submission of the clinical application must occur within the same two-year period, applicants may choose which component to complete first.
Prerequisites
The following minimum prerequisites must be met by surgeons seeking breast ultrasound certification prior to the completion of the clinical application:
- Must have attained board certification by the American Board of Surgery (ABS) or American Osteopathic Board of Surgery (AOBS), or evidence of international equivalent, upon completion of training. Current recertification is not a requirement. OB/GYNs not certified by the ABS or AOBS, must have completed an approved ASBrS-SSO Breast Surgical Oncology fellowship or ACGME Complex General Surgical Oncology fellowship.
- A documented appropriate level of training and a minimum of 1-year experience in the performance and interpretation of breast ultrasound.
- Documented performance of no fewer than 100 breast ultrasound exams per year with review of a minimum of 100 mammography exams annually that include the authenticated reports. These must include a minimum of 80 diagnostic and 20 interventional examinations.
- Documented completion of 15 AMA Category 1 continuing medical education credits in breast ultrasound toward the AMA Physician’s Recognition Award.
- Must include one all-day breast ultrasound course
- At least 7 credits in breast ultrasound in the 18 months prior to application must be included.
Clinical Application
Breast Ultrasound Certification clinical case requirements include the following:
- Six Clinical Case Submissions
- 3 Diagnostic Cases
- 3 Interventional Cases
- Two of the three Diagnostic case submissions MUST be malignancy related
- Two of the three Interventional case submissions MUST be malignancy related
- One Interventional case submission MAY be a Cyst aspiration or Fine Needle Aspiration
- Each case must be of a breast tissue lesion or axillary lesion
- Diagnostic and Interventional elements may be from the same patient
The clinical application includes full details related to the required documentation of board certification, training, procedure volume, CME accrual and the clinical case submissions.
Breast Ultrasound Clinical Case Requirement Chart
Written Examination - Now available online
- Registration and further information can be found here.
- Sample exam questions and system requirement testing are available here.
Fees
- A $50 application access fee will be charged when starting the application.
- A $600 review fee is due upon submission of the completed clinical application.
- A $200 written examination fee
Maintenance Of Certification in Breast Ultrasound
Breast Ultrasound MOC requirements include the following:
- Medical Licensure
- Ultrasound Equipment Maintenance
- Documented performance of no fewer than 50 breast ultrasound exams per year with review of a minimum of 50 mammography exams annually that include the authenticated reports. These must include a minimum of 30 diagnostic and 20 interventional examinations.
- 15 category 1 CME credits breast content
- Valid for 5 years.
- Retired and Inactive Surgeons are now able to maintain certification in breast ultrasound. Contact certification@breastsurgeons.org for details regarding eligibility or to request an application.
Fees
- A $50 application access fee will be charged when starting the application.
- A $75 review fee is due upon submission of the completed clinical application.
Questions?
- Frequently Asked Questions about Breast Ultrasound Certification
- Please contact the Society by email or telephone 410-381-9500
