How to Become an AAHIVM HIV Specialist

In late November, the Academy office will mail the first HIV Specialist credentialing application kits to our members and many other potential HIV Specialists. This mailing represents one of the first opportunities for health care providers throughout the United States to be designated as HIV Specialists by a national professional association. The credentialing application kits contain instructions, the credentialing application, a CME Tally Sheet, the HIV Medicine Credentialing Exam, and a monograph on the 28 most recent Core Curriculum Educational Objectives. The credentialing process follows each component of the Academy's definition of an HIV Specialist.

The Definition and Credentialing Requirements

The Academy established a definition for an HIV Specialist in April 2001. The HIV Specialist credentialing process uses the professional knowledge components of this definition. Following is a step-by-step description of each knowledge component of the definition, and the credentialing requirements for satisfying these components in order to obtain the HIV Specialist designation. To apply for the HIV Specialist credential, complete these steps, including one of the three methods described under component 3, and mail your materials to the address listed in the credentialing application kit.

Ensuring the Credibility of the Credentialing Application Process

To ensure that the credentialing process is accurate and supportable, at least 10% of the applications received will be subjected to a random audit by the Academy. If your application is selected for audit, you will be required to document and submit proof of your application information, including more detailed and verified information related to your state license, and either your Infectious Diseases Board certification (option A) or HIV-related CME Category 1 credits or Continuing Education Units you have earned (options B and C). This audit procedure is a standard method that many professional programs use to ensure and maintain the integrity of the credentialing process.

The Credentialing Process/HIV Specialist Eligibility Requirements:

1. State Licensure Component: Maintain current and valid M.D., D.O., P.A., or N.P. licensure. Credentialing Requirement: Complete the section on the application asking for your state license number, and all required related information,
   AND
   
   
2. Clinical Experience Component: Clinically manage at least twenty (20) HIV patients in the past two (2) years. Credentialing Requirement: Sign the statement affirming the necessary clinical experience,
   AND
   
   
3. Professional Development Component: Demonstrate continuous professional development by one (1) of three (3) options:
   
   
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   • Option A (M.D.s and D.O.s): Successfully complete the Infectious Diseases Board certification or maintenance of certification (re-certification) for the current year. Credentialing Requirement: Following the prompt on the application, copy the current certificate, and return it with your other credentialing application materials,
     OR
   • Option B (M.D.s, D.O.s, N.P.s, and P.A.s): Complete annually at least thirty (30) hours of HIV-related CME Category 1 credits (Continuing Education Units for NPs). Credentialing Requirement: List the required CME credits or Continuing Education Units you have earned during 2001 on the CME Tally Sheet included in the credentialing application kit, and all required related information,
     OR
   • Option C (M.D.s, D.O.s, N.P.s, and P.A.s): Complete annually at least fifteen (15) hours of HIV-related CME Category 1 credits (Continuing Education Units for NPs). AND Successfully pass the AAHIVM HIV Medicine Credentialing Examination (HMCE), a secured take-home exam, scored by the Academy and weighted to emphasize the 28 most recent Core Curriculum Educational Objectives. Credentialing Requirement: List the CME credits or Continuing Education Units you have earned during 2001 on the CME Tally Sheet included in the credentialing application kit; and complete and return the HMCE enclosed in the credentialing application kit, including all required related information.

The HMCE

In order to qualify for the HIV Specialist credential under Option C listed for component 3, above, each candidate must submit the completed HMCE to the Academy office. The first round of the exam will be due no later than January 31, 2002. First scoring of the exam will begin on February 1, 2001. Those receiving a passing score will receive their results and credentials by mid March 2002. If you choose to take the exam at a later date, the next due dates will be June 30 and November 30, 2002. The scoring will begin the day after these deadlines, and results will be sent during the following month.

Proof of Your Specialty Credential

Once you have successfully completed all credentialing process eligibility requirements (including satisfaction of one (1) of the three (3) professional development component options, A, B, or C, described above), the Academy staff will mail to you an official HIV Specialist Certificate that will document your achievement in obtaining this important specialty designation. This first certificate will last until December 2003. After this first two-year period, credentials must be renewed annually, and credentialing kits for January to December 2004 will be mailed in January 2003.

Back to The Nexus Fall 2001 contents page.