I have recently realized that if I want to remain board certified in cardiovascular disease and cardiac electrophysiology, I must begin the lengthy process to re-certify now. No longer are doctors board certified for life; the process must be repeated very ten years. For me, it won’t be long before I’m taking the tests for the third time and I carry two board certifications that are subject to this every-10-year requirement.
But while preparing for this gauntlet again, I was struck by the fees I must pay just for prep-courses and registration fees: well over $10,000.
| CV Board Review Course | $998.00 |
| EP Board Review Course | $1420.00 |
| Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Fee – CV Disease | $1810.00 |
| MOC Fee – EP (with 2nd MOC discount) | $760.00 |
| Board Certification Fee – EP | $2785.00 |
| Board Certification Fee – CV Disease | $2165.00 |
| Test Center Fee – Board Cert | $500.00 |
| Test Center Fee – MOC | $500.00 |
| TOTAL: | $10,938.00 |
Realize these costs don’t include transporation and housing costs that might be required, not to mention the costs incurred from time off from work.
I realize that it’s expensive to prepare, review, monitor and regulate this testing, but these costs are growing at a ridiculous rate – I hate to think what new doctors saddled with significant educational loans must endure just to get started.
Hey, I think I have a new idea for a business: a loan company that funds doctors to help doctors pay for their certification fees!
Oh wait: it already exists.
-Wes
