To meet the needs of the community we offer two levels of training; Certificate in Motor Vehicle Injuries and Diplomate in Motor Vehicle Injuries. Each of these have distinct requirements in terms of hours of instruction, time in practice, and testing.
Certificate Requirements
Courses:
- 150 hours of required core courses. These include
- 75 hours of physical examination with an emphasis on motor vehicle injuries
- 30 hours in spinal examination and diagnosis
- 15 hours in extremity examination and diagnosis
- 15 hours in cranial nerve examination and diagnosis
- 15 hours in radiographic examination and diagnosis - 15 hours in medical legal issues in motor vehicle injuries
- 15 hours in Whole Person Impairment Rating using AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment Sixth Edition
- 45 hours in assessment, documentation and management of motor vehicle injuries
Practice Experience:
- We encourage students to complete course work while in school.
- One year of practice with a minimum average of 20 hours/week in patient care is required to apply for the certificate.
- The candidate’s application must include a copy of their license or other proof of practice for at least one year prior to the date of the application.
- The applicant must also submit verification of ten motor vehicle injury cases on which they have been the treating doctor. Half of these case should have reached closure in the form of settlement or judgement. Verification from the attorneys representing the patients in these case should also be sent directly to AAMVI.
Testing:
Each of the ten core course includes a 30 question test with questions directly related to material covered in the course. A passing grade is 80%. In the even that grade is not attained at the end of the class the student will be allowed to review their notes and retake the test online in the next 30 days.
Upon completion of all ten core courses or their approved equivalents, along with the minimum practice experience a candidate may apply for the comprehensive testing to meet the requirement for the Certificate in Motor Vehicle Injuries. This is a 300 multiple choice question examination that can be taken online, or in person. The passing grade is 80% and if that grade is not attained the test may be retaken online in no less than one week and no more than two calendar months.
References:
To complete the certification requirements each candidate must have at least three reference forms from professionals who can attest to the candidate’s proficiency. Reference forms must be submitted by fax or in a sealed envelope delivered directly to AAMVI by USPS, UPS, or FedEx. The references must include one from a doctor within the profession of the candidate, one from a doctor from a different profession than the candidate, and at least one from an attorney representing the doctor’s patient.
Diploma
Practice Experience:
Three years of practice with a minimum average of 20 hours/week in patient care is required to apply of the diploma. The candidate’s application must include a copy of the license or other proof of at least three years practice prior to the date of the application.
The applicant must also submit verification of twenty-five motor vehicle injury cases on which they have been the treating doctor. Half of these case should have reached closure in the form of settlement or judgement.
Courses:
300 hours of course work including completion of the 150 hour core courses. Online courses may be accepted if they meet the criteria of our Academic Review Board. No more than one half of the 360 hours of course work will be accepted as online courses.
Required courses for the diploma are:
- 30 hours in Impairment Rating based on AMA Guides Sixth Edition (This time requirement will change to seventh edition within three years of the publication of the AMA Guides Seventh Edition)
- 30 hours in accident reconstruction and biomechanics of injury
Elective courses related to motor vehicle injuries include but are not limited to:
- Pediatrics
- Geriatrics
- TMJ injuries
- Research
Advanced Standing:
Doctors who have been previously board certified in a related specialty may apply for advanced standing based on prior course work. An application must be submitted along with supporting documentation of the course work and the accreditation of the awarding board. Final determination will be made by the Academic Review Board of the AAMVI.
Advanced standing has been approved for:
- Croft Seminars, up to 60 hours
- AMA Impairment Rating utilizing AMA Guides Sixth Edition, up to 30 hours
- Yeomans’ Outcomes Assessment Seminars
Course Evaluations:
Previously completed course work related to motor vehicle injuries may be evaluated for advanced standing. The requesting doctor must complete the Request for Evaluation of Course Work and submit that with supporting documentation: syllabus, course notes, accrediting school or agency.
Testing:
A written test with a choice of questions for which the candidate must justify their conclusion supported by the most current research. The candidate’s answer should be written in a format suitable for publication in a professional journal.
References:
To complete the certification requirements each candidate have at least three reference forms from professionals who can attest to the candidate’s proficiency. Reference forms must be submitted by fax or in a sealed envelope delivered by USPS, UPS, or FedEx. The references must include one from a doctor within the profession of the candidate, one from a doctor from a different profession than the candidate and one from an attorney.
IME/ICE
Doctors of Chiropractic who have successfully completed the core course toward the Certificate in Motor Vehicle Injuries may be eligible to be certified by the American Board of Independent Medical Examiner as a Certified Independent Chiropractic Examiner.
The ABIME Requirements are:
- Chiropractic License current and unrestricted illustrating the expiration date
- No record of disciplinary action for an ethical or other offense by a state board of chiropractic licensure within the past five years
- Must have practiced chiropractic a minimum of 20 hours per week for a period of 5 years prior to submitting an application
- Within one year prior to taking the exam, completion of at least fifteen hours of continuing medical or chiropractic education in impairment rating and independent medical evaluation (30 hours of education in the field of impairment rating and medical evaluation are strongly recommended.)
- Signed agreement to abide by the ABIME Guidelines of Conduct
Further information and an application are available at the ABIME website