American Academy of Spine Physicians

CREDENTIALING (Diplomate/Fellow)

The AASP credentialing process offers a method of recognition for the spine specialist who achieves a high level of academic distinction and who is committed to excellence in spinecare. Becoming a credentialed spine physician through the AASP requires that the physician fulfill the eligibility criteria, achieve the level of continuing education credits required and receive a passing score on written examinations where applicable. The AASP provides Diplomate and Fellow status credentialing opportunities.

Recognition (Achievement) Awards: The AASP occasionally confers a special recognition or achievement award to individuals or companies who have made a significant contribution to the field of spinecare or spine research. Such awards may also be granted to educational institutions that have been supportive of the AASP mission.

Candidate Member Recognition (Achievement) Award: Candidate members of the AASP are eligible to obtain continuing education credits through AASP online programs. These credits can be applied towards Diplomate status with the American Academy of Spine Physicans (DAASP) and Fellow status with the American College of Spine Physicians (FACSP). The candidate member is not entitled to receive the credential status until he or she has graduated, obtained a license to practice and has become a full member of the AASP. From time to time the AASP will confer a special recognition award to the candidate member who makes a significant contribution to the AASP or to the spinecare field. Some college, university and medical center locations will have a dedicated computer station within their library or resource center for student or resident access to the American Academy of Spine Physicians online educational opportunities

CREDENTIALING WITH THE AASP

The AASP offers credentialing to physicians who meet the educational/academic criteria. The AASP offers Diplomate status with American Academy of Spine Physicians (DAASP) and Fellow status with the American College of Spine Physicians (FACSP). Application for credentialing through the American Academy of Spine Physicians is voluntary and provides a great opportunity for those committed to excellence in spinecare.

The benefits of credentialing with the AASP include the:

Enhancement of the member’s public and professional visibility as a spine specialist
Promotion of professional accountability and leadership.
Acknowledgement of the member who has chosen to advance their knowledge and skills in spinecare
Advancement of integrated spinecare and evidence based spinecare.
Professional growth and development
Accessibility to AASP resources and opportunities limited to credentialed members.

Criteria for Levels of Credentialing

The American Academy of Spine Physicians offers two levels of credentialing. The level of credentialing awarded is based upon the level of academic criteria met. The criteria for the two levels of credentialing are listed below.

1. Diplomate status with the American Academy of Spine Physicians (DAASP) is awarded to the AASP member who acquires a minimum of 300 continuing education credits through the AASP

2. Fellow status with the American College of Spine Physicians (FACSP) is awarded to the member who has met the requirements of the Diplomate status and has acquired an additional 200 continuing education credits through the AASP.

AMERICAN COLLEGE OF SPINE PHYSICIANS

The American College of Spine Physicians is a division of the American Academy of Spine Physicians. The College represents a prestigious group of members who have achieved the highest-level of academic available through the AASP. Physicians inducted into the College as a Fellow have achieved a minimum of 500 continuing educational credits through the AASP. After being awarded Fellow status with the College the physician may use the initials FACSP after their name and they may acknowledge their Fellow status on professional correspondence.

BECOMING CREDENTIAL ELIGIBLE

The first step toward obtaining Diplomate and/or Fellow status through the AASP is to become credential eligible. To obtain this status the applicant must:

1. be a member of the American Academy of Spine Physicians in good standing.

2. complete and submit the Credentialing Application Form

4. submit a copy of their current state license

5. submit a non-refundable one time $100 credentialing application fee made payable to the American Academy of Spine Physicians

Upon completion of these steps, the application will be forwarded to and reviewed by the AASP Education Committee. The Academy reserves the right to request additional information or to request clarification of submitted information for completion of the application process. The applicant will be notified by email and or regular mail regarding the decision of the Education Committee. Completion of the review process may take 2-4 weeks after the required application materials have been received by the Academy.

Individuals who have satisfactorily completed the steps necessary for becoming credential eligible may begin acquiring continuing educational credits through the Academy.

MAINTAINING A CREDENTIAL ELIGIBLE STATUS

Members may remain credential eligible with the AASP for no more than 4 years. During this period they may use the term "credential eligible”. To remain in good standing as credential eligible with the AASP members must:

be a member in good standing of the American Academy of Spine Physicians.
practice in accordance with the American Academy of Spine Physician's Code of Ethics.
practice in accordance with the American Academy of Spine Physicians Patient Bill of Rights maintain a current and valid license to practice.
remain in good standing with state regulatory agencies and your profession.
meet the continuing education criteria for Diplomate status with 4 years of becoming credential eligible.

THE CREDENTIALING PROCESS

Credentialing with the AASP is a three-step process:

Step 1

The applicant must be an active member of the American Academy of Spine Physicians

Step 2

1. Complete all portions of the application for credentialing.

2. Submit a copy of current license.

3. Submit a one time non-refundable $100 credentialing application fee made payable to the American Academy of Spine Physicians.

4. Obtain and maintain “credential eligible” status with AASP.

Step 3

1. Achieve a passing score on all applicable continuing education tests (proficiency of 80% or better).

2. Achieve a minimum of 300 continuing education credits through the AASP to obtain Diplomate status with the American Academy of Spine Physicians (DAASP).

2. Achieve Diplomate status with the American academy of Spine Physicians (DDASP) and acquire an additional 200 continuing education credits through the AASP to obtain Fellow status with the American College of Spine Physicians (FACSP).

MAINTAINING AN ACTIVE CREDENTIALED STATUS WITH THE AASP

To maintain an active credentialed status with the American Academy of Spine Physicians (AASP), the following criteria is required:

1. Must be a member in good standing of the American Academy of Spine Physicians.

2. The member must practice in accordance with the American Academy of Spine Physicians Code of Ethics and the Patient Bill of Rights.

3. Member must maintain a current license to practice.

4. Member must remain in good standing with state regulatory agencies and your profession.

5. To maintain an active credentialed status with the AASP, the member must achieve a minimum of 100 continuing education credits through the AASP every four-year period.

BENEFITS AND PRIVELGES OF CREDENTIALING WITH THE

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF SPINE PHYSICIANS

The member’s credentialed status will promote professional accountability and visibility to peers, patients and the healthcare community. It also represents the member’s commitment to providing ethical, integrated and evidence based spinecare.

Members are also entitled to other privileges which are listed below.

The member will be provided with a personalized certificate designating the level of credentialing (Diplomate or Fellow) acquired through the AASP. The certificate is suitable for framing.

Member will be listed with the appropriate credential(s) in the National Directory of Spine Physicians, highly visible online directory.

Member will be granted the right to use the appropriate letter designations after their name and professional degree. (DAASP. for Diplomate of the American Academy of Spine Physicians and FACSP. for Fellow of the American College of Spine Physicians).

Member will receive a personalized press release acknowledging their academic achievement and designated status with the AASP. This can be submitted to local media and posted within the member’s medical facility.