Family Medicine Fellowships and Certificates of Added Qualification

December 13, 2019

Family medicine fellowships provide structured opportunities for family physicians to pursue advanced training beyond residency. These programs enhance clinical expertise, academic scholarship, and leadership skills in focused areas of practice.

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) defines a fellowship as subspecialty training following residency, emphasizing a structured educational experience that prepares physicians for independent practice in a subspecialty. This includes rigorous clinical training, research opportunities, and adherence to accreditation standards.

The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) views fellowships more broadly as advanced training experiences that family physicians may undertake after residency to expand clinical skills, leadership, or research capacity. These programs may be accredited or non-accredited and often focus on areas integral to family medicine, such as geriatrics, obstetrics, sports medicine, or academic medicine. The American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) recognizes advanced expertise through Certificates of Added Qualifications (CAQs). A CAQ provides additional certification for physicians who have completed a relevant subspecialty fellowship.

Given the variable nature of CAQs and fellowship opportunities, family medicine fellowships may be:

  • ACGME-accredited subspecialty programs leading to ABFM-recognized certification (CAQ);
  • Non-ACGME-accredited programs that focus on leadership, education, research, or specific clinical competencies relevant to comprehensive family medicine practice.

The AAFP acknowledges that the primary benefit of the fellowship training is to recognize the added training of family physicians in certain practice disciplines. Fellowship training should not be required for credentialing of family physicians who apply for privileges within the scope of their training and/or experience, demonstrated abilities, and current competence.

Regardless of accreditation pathway, fellowships in family medicine are intended to advance the discipline by preparing physicians with enhanced expertise, leadership capacity, and commitment to lifelong learning. Fellowship programs are encouraged to seek accreditation when appropriate.

(May 2011 Board) (April 2026 BOD)

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