Supporting Growth and Access Across Specialties
For physicians certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) has approved a two-year extension of the Practice-Only and Practice-Plus-Training pathways for the Advanced Emergency Medicine Ultrasonography (AEMUS) Focused Practice Designation (FPD). Expanding the timeline for eligibility through the practice pathways follows the 2025 announcement that broadened access to the AEMUS FPD for ABIM-certified physicians, advancing the field of AEMUS across specialties.
The Practice-Only and Practice-Plus-Training pathways, previously scheduled to close on December 31, 2026, will now remain open through December 31, 2028, for eligible ABIM-certified physicians.
The AEMUS Examination Committee identified access and equity as central considerations in recommending the extension. Hospital-based physicians certified by ABIM have demonstrated both sustained interest and clinical relevance in advanced emergency ultrasonography, underscoring the value of broader eligibility.
By extending these pathways, ABEM aims to:
- Expand access to the AEMUS Focused Practice Designation for qualified physicians outside traditional Emergency Medicine pathways
- Support interdisciplinary practice, particularly among hospital medicine and critical care physicians
- Ensure sufficient time for newly eligible ABIM-certified physicians to meet the practice pathway requirements without compromising program standards
- Advancing equity and opportunity in AEMUS
The additional two years provide an important opportunity for these physicians to successfully complete pathway requirements and pursue formal recognition through the AEMUS FPD.
Physicians already holding the AEMUS FPD and EUFAC-accredited programs can anticipate continued growth in multidisciplinary engagement and training pathways.
Physicians who are ABIM-certified and interested in learning more about eligibility and the application process for the FPD in AEMUS should visit the ABEM website and contact subspecialty@abem.org for questions.
Learn More:
