American College of Cardiology

Fellow

1. The designation of Fellow represents recognition by the College of high professional achievement in a cardiovascular discipline. Candidates shall have certification by both a primary specialty board and an applicable subspecialty board which holds membership in either the American Board of Medical Specialties or the Advisory Board for Osteopathic Specialists of the American Osteopathic Association. Those candidates who began their subspecialty training in 1990 and beyond shall show evidence of having successfully completed an accredited program and shall have a minimum number of in-training years as follows: adult cardiology—3 years; or pediatric cardiology—3 years; or cardiovascular surgery—2 years. Candidates shall provide evidence from their communities that they are recognized as specialists and consultants or as scientists.
   
2. The candidate who is not board certified shall have had training required (see above) to qualify for admission to examination by one of the recognized cardiovascular related subspecialty boards, if working in a field having a certifying board. The candidate shall have made significant contributions to the scientific literature or as a teacher or investigator in cardiovascular disciplines.

Associate Fellow

1. Candidates shall be certified by one of the primary specialty boards and qualified for admission to examination by one of the subspecialty boards which holds membership in either the American Board of Medical Specialties or the Advisory Board for Osteopathic Specialists of the American Osteopathic Association. (For those candidates who began their subspecialty training in 1990 or beyond, see above requirements under “Fellow, #1”.) Candidates shall also provide evidence from the community that they devote the majority of their professional time as recognized specialists and consultants or scientists in a cardiovascular related discipline.
   
2. Lacking primary specialty board certification or appropriate training in a cardiovascular related discipline, candidates for Associate Fellowship shall have made important scientific contributions and shall have devoted the major share of their efforts over a period of years to the cardiovascular field.

Affiliate

1. Candidates shall have completed the training required by both primary and cardiovascular related subspecialty boards, which hold membership in either the American Board of Medical Specialties or the Advisory Board for Osteopathic Specialists of the American Osteopathic Association. (For those candidates who began their subspecialty training in 1990 or beyond, see above requirements under “Fellow, #1”.)
   
2. Lacking certification by either board, candidates may apply for the Affiliate category. Candidates for this category are expected to provide evidence from the local community of having attained peer recognition as practicing cardiovascular specialists.