Certificate of Added Qualification in Endobronchial Valve Placement
Information and Application
2027 Application Deadline for CAQ for Endobronchial Valve Placement: Tuesday, January 5, 2027
2027 Testing Windows:
Valve Knowledge Assessment Test (VKAT): March 6-13, 2027
Based on Level A evidence, the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines recommend bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) with endobronchial valves as a treatment option for select patients with severe COPD. BLVR has been widely adopted in academic and community practices by advanced bronchoscopists who have not completed a formal interventional pulmonology (IP) fellowship.
Beginning in 2027, the American Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology (AABIP) will offer a new Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) in Endobronchial Valve Placement. The certificate recognizes physicians skilled in BLVR and in endobronchial valve placement for patients with persistent air leak. Physicians who are board-eligible or board-certified in interventional pulmonology are not eligible to apply.
Earning the certificate requires passing two validated assessments developed by experts. The Valve Knowledge Assessment Test (VKAT) is a written exam, and the Valve Procedure Assessment Test (VPAT) is a hands-on simulation assessment covering both the Zephyr and Spiration valve systems. This recognition may help patients, credentialing committees, and referring physicians identify bronchoscopists who have completed training and demonstrated procedural competence.
Both BLVR and valve placement for persistent air leak are performed in patients who typically have limited respiratory reserve. By emphasizing proper pre-procedural physiologic evaluation and post-procedural complication management, this certificate reflects a commitment to safe, evidence-based practice.
Application requirements
Certificate of Added Qualification for Endobronchial Valve Placement
Application Requirements
- Board Certified or Board Eligible in pulmonary medicine or thoracic surgery from the USA or Canada OR appropriate equivalent for board certification from another country. Pulmonary Fellows in their final year of training are eligible.
- An attestation letter demonstrating both training and competency in Endobronchial Valve Placement with Zephyr valves for bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) AND Spiration valves for BLVR and prolonged air leaks.
- The letter may come from your mentor OR your current supervisor OR your division chief/director OR your pulmonary/pulmonary critical care fellowship program director OR your thoracic surgery fellowship program training director
- Non-English documentation must be accompanied by a version translated to English.
- Interventional Pulmonology board-eligible or board-certified physicians are not eligible to participate in the CAQ process.
Updated: 8/12/2026
Component 1: VALVE Knowledge Assessment Test (VKAT)
The Valve Knowledge Assessment Test (VKAT) is the first component of the CAQ for Endobronchial Valve Placement.
Important Dates:
VKAT Fee: $1500.00
VKAT Testing Locations:
Various Meazure Learning testing sites. Approved applicants will by contacted by Meazure Learning in mid-January 2027 to schedule their exam date, time and location.
Checklist of Required Supporting Documents for Application:
- Medical School diploma
- Proof of board eligibility or certification in Pulmonary Medicine or Thoracic Surgery or appropriate equivalent for board certification from another country.
- Letter attesting to training and competency in Endobronchial Valve Placement
- Valid medical license
- Current CV
>> Letter of Attestation - template
Non-English documentation must be accompanied by a version translated to English.
Exam Study Resources:
- CAQ VKAT Exam Blueprint
- CAQ VPAT Exam Outline
- 2026 Update in IP and CAQ/IP Board Review Course (not a comprehensive course for this exam)
Component 2: Valve Procedure Assessment Test (VPAT)
The Valve Procedure Assessment Test (VPAT) is the second component of the CAQ. This skills assessment test will be using validated tools for assessing proficiency in Endobronchial Valve Placement.
For international applicants, VPAT testing will take place in the U.S.
VPAT Eligibility:
- You must have successfully completed the CAQ VKAT prior to taking the CAQ VPAT.
- You have up to three years after passing the CAQ VKAT to successfully complete the CAQ VPAT.
CAQ-VPAT Fee: $750
VPAT – Required Procedural Assessments
Applicants will be assessed on both of the following systems:
- Spiration Endobronchial Valve Placement System
-
Zephyr Endobronchial Valve Placement System, including Chartis Assessment
Next Available CAQ-VPAT Test Dates for those who completed the VKAT in 2027: To be announced
Testing availability is limited per date. We encourage you to schedule and pay for your preferred CAQ testing date in advance due to the limited availability. Testing will be scheduled on a first come, first serve basis.
Notification of eligibility
If accepted, the applicant will be notified by e-mail regarding eligibility to sit for the examination. This eligibility will be valid for three years. The applicant must sit and successfully complete the CAQ VKAT and VPAT during this time-frame, if they are unable to do so, the applicant will be required to complete the application process again. Please allow the Eligibility Review Committee 4 to 6 weeks to review your application.
Once the application process has been completed and approved, the Eligibility Review Committee will compile a list of individuals accepted to sit for the examination and forward this to the testing organization, who will provide the registrant with all of the necessary information regarding exam registration, location and logistics.
rejection and appeal
If the application is rejected, the notification will come by e-mail as well as a letter from the current Chair of the Eligibility Review Committee. If the application is rejected, the individual will have the opportunity for an appeal. The appeal must be initiated by the applicant via a formal email to [email protected] requesting review. This appeal must be requested within 2 weeks of the date of the rejection letter, in order to make the deadline for the examination. Chair of the Eligibility Review Committee will then review the appeal and entire application. If the application is rejected again, the Chair of the Eligibility Review Committee will present this application to the AABIP Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will vote anonymously and majority opinion determines the final status of the appeal. If the Board of Directors’ decision is to confirm rejection of the application, the final notification will be sent to the applicant by e-mail as well as a formal letter from the AABIP, signed by the current President. The applicant will, however, have the opportunity to reapply for future examinations based on the applicable criteria at that time.
refund policy
This refund policy applies to the VKAT and VPAT. All documentation must be received prior to the application submission deadline of 01/05/2027 @ 11:59 pm ET. Failure to provide all documentation will lead to forfeiture of the application fee. If the applicant chooses to withdraw from consideration he/she will have 1 week from the date of initial application for a full refund (This is the CANCELLATION DEADLINE), after which a penalty of $150 will be kept for administrative costs. If the withdrawal is requested before the application is marked as complete, the penalty of $150 will apply. If the withdrawal is requested after the application is marked as complete, refunds will be processed as per the policy outlined below or the applicant may choose to apply the full amount towards the next year’s application plus any additional costs if applicable. (See refund policy below.)
- 85% of the exam fee will be refunded if cancellation is received on or before 11:59 pm ET of the respective payment deadline.
- 50% of the exam fee will be refunded when cancellation is received between 12:00 midnight ET on the day after the respective payment deadline and 11:59 p.m. ET on the day prior to the correlating exam.
Once all of the credentialing material has been submitted, an individual account and packet will be put together by the AABIP administrative team and forward to the Chair of the Eligibility Review Committee to be reviewed. Rejections must be accompanied by appropriate comments by the Eligibility Review Committee. If approval is not granted, the funds will be refunded.
updated: 10/15/2026
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