The Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME) is responsible for the specialty board and subspecialty certification approval and recognition process on behalf of the podiatric medical profession. The CPME does not recognize, accredit, or approve any Certificates of Added Qualifications (CAQs) within its policies and procedures for specialty board recognition. CAQs are not equivalent to board certification or subspecialty certification, nor can they lead to certification or subspecialty certification in any specific content area. CPME’s position on CAQs remains unchanged and consistent with its longstanding practice. Recent revisions to the CPME 220 Standards and Requirements and the CPME 230 Procedures do not alter this position.
Updated October 2025