Fast Track Eligibility Requirements

The fast-track pathway allows AEP program participants who perform exceptionally well on the In-Training Examination (ITE) to enter the ABA’s staged examination system for initial certification sooner. Once AEP program participants achieve an ITE score of 46 or higher, they will be immediately eligible to take the BASIC Exam during its next administration. AEP participants must pass each examination element (i.e., BASIC, ADVANCED, SOE and OSCE) on their first attempt to remain on the fast-track pathway. This new pathway is intended to give exceptionally well-qualified AEP candidates the opportunity to complete the ABA’s staged examination system along an accelerated timeline.

Fast Track Program Details:

• All AEP candidates must take the ITE each year they are in the AEP program until they receive a score at or above 46 for the fast-track pathway.
• Once an AEP candidate scores at or above 46 on the ITE, they become eligible to take the BASIC Exam during its next administration; they will no longer be required to take the ITE, although they may take it if they would like.
• If a candidate passes the BASIC Exam on their first attempt, they become eligible to take the ADVANCED Exam during its next administration. AEP candidates who fail the BASIC Exam on their first attempt will no longer be on the “fast track.”
• If a candidate passes the ADVANCED Exam on their first attempt, they become eligible to take the APPLIED Exam during its next available administration. AEP candidates who fail the ADVANCED Exam on their first attempt will no longer be on the “fast track.”
• Once an AEP candidate passes both components of the APPLIED Exam, their certification will be deferred.
• The chair of the anesthesiology department must submit a request on institutional letterhead to the ABA to modify the timeframe of the AEP training program based on the candidate’s progress and passing the exams. The request must be signed and dated and include specific details about completing the fast-track pathway guidelines, successfully completing goals and objectives approved during the original 4-year plan, and tangible results achieved while in the program.
• After the request is received from the chair of the anesthesiology department, the Credentialing Committee will review the candidate’s progress toward the requirements included in their AEP academic and training plan. The Credentialing Committee will determine what, if any, remaining academic or training requirements need to be fulfilled before ABA certification will be conferred. The review process may take up to six weeks.