Lipid

What is the objective of the NLA Self-Assessment Program?
The NLA Self-Assessment Program (NLA-SAP) is designed to help members to prepare to attain certification by the American Board of Clinical Lipidology or the Accreditation Council for Clinical Lipidology.

The NLA-SAP was designed to allow members to validate, strengthen and reinforce their knowledge of clinical lipidology, while earning CME or CE credit for their efforts. To enhance and improve your learning experience, you also receive feedback on how your performance on the SAP questions compares with that of your colleagues.

Who developed the NLA-SAP?

The program is chaired by Dr. Michael Davidson, Director of Preventive Cardiology at The University of Chicago. A faculty of experts in the field contributed to each volume.

What is the format of the NLA-SAP?
NLA-SAP, Edition II, follows along the content areas delineated in the Core Curriculum in Clinical Lipidology. It consists of 4 volumes:

Volume I: BASIC LIPOPROTEIN METABOLISM, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF DYSLIPIDEMIAS
Volume II: MANAGEMENT OF CARDIOMETABOLIC RISK, BIOMARKERS OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS, EPIDEMIOLOGY AND STATISTICS, AND CLINICAL TRIALS
Volume III: COMPLEX CASE MANAGEMENT AND ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY
Volume IV: VASCULAR BIOLOGY, ADVANCED LIPID METABOLISM AND LIPOPROTEIN BIOCHEMISTRY

Each volume of the NLA-SAP consists of two parts. The first part consists of an examination booklet, which is similar in style to a board examination, with a series of multiple-choice and true-false questions. The second part consists of a critique book containing the correct answers for review and self-study of reference materials.

How long will it take to receive my detailed Score Report and Critique Book once I submit my answer sheets?
Within 3-4 weeks of receipt of your answer sheet, you will receive a Score Report detailing your performance. The Score Report will provide your total score, and will list those items which you answered incorrectly, the correct answer for those items, and the percent of all participants who answered those items correctly. Included with the Score Report will be the accompanying Critique Book.

How do I obtain CME/CE Credit?
Following your review of the Critique Book, you must complete and sign the "Request for Credit/Activity Evaluation" form found in the back of this book. Please return it in the accompanying pre-addressed envelope to the NLA. You will receive a CME/CE Certificate of Participation within 4-6 weeks.

Is the NLA-SAP a pre-requisite for the ABCL or ACCL certifying examination?
Although the NLA-SAP is not a required pre-requisite, the format is wholly consistent with and is one of the best ways to prepare for the either certification exam. To prepare for the exams and earn the required hours of "lipid-focused" CME/CE credit hours or "points" necessary to credential for the exams, the NLA recommends completing the NLA Self-Assessment Program.

For certification purposes, are different volumes of the NLA-SAP recommended for physicians versus allied health professionals?
Yes. NLA-SAP volumes I-III are recommended for allied health professionals seeking ACCL certification and NLA-SAP volumes II-IV are recommended for physicians seeking ABCL certification.

Where can I find more information on Board certification?
Physicians can find complete information on board certification in clinical lipidology at the American Board of Clinical Lipidology website at www.lipidboard.org, or call the office at 904.674.0752.

Allied Health Professionals can find complete information on board certification at the Accreditation Council for Clinical Lipidology website at www.lipidspecialist.org, or call the office at 904-309-6250.

Still have questions? Please call the NLA office at 904-998-0854.