Hepatology Training Pathways

Transplant Hepatology Fellowship Programs

There are two pathways available to achieve certification in transplant hepatology:

• Transplant hepatology training after gastroenterology fellowship (“fourth year”)
• Dual certification training in transplant hepatology during gastroenterology fellowship (formerly known as the “Pilot”)

There are over 60 ACGME-accredited fellowships in transplant hepatology currently available. Most but not all transplant hepatology fellowship programs currently offer the dual certification pathway.

Transplant Hepatology Training After Gastroenterology Fellowship ("Fourth Year")

• One year of advanced training for those who have completed a three-year fellowship in gastroenterology (total of four years for completion of gastroenterology and transplant hepatology fellowship training)
• Benefits of an additional year of fellowship training after completion of a gastroenterology fellowship include:
  • Advanced training in general and transplant hepatology
  • More time available for training and development of competence in gastroenterology
  • More time to pursue scholarly activities including research and/or an advanced degree during the three-year gastroenterology fellowship
  • Opportunity to pursue advanced training at a different institution
• Ideal for trainees interested in an academic hepatology career, advanced degree, and/or a career with a significant research focus

When and How to Apply

• Visit the AASLD Transplant Hepatology Fellowship Application System to search for available transplant hepatology fellowship positions. You can reach out to learn more about programs and/or submit applications to participating programs through the site 
• Programs can be viewed and applications submitted in January-March of the year before anticipated start of transplant hepatology fellowship training 
• Interviews take place in March and April 
• Match Day is in May of the year prior to start of training
• Visit the site for the current schedule and to search for participating programs

Dual Certification Training in Transplant Hepatology During Gastroenterology Fellowship (Formerly Known As The “Pilot”)

• Transplant hepatology training during the three-year gastroenterology fellowship (total of three years for completion of gastroenterology and transplant hepatology fellowship training)
• Benefits of dual-certification training include:
  • Advanced training in general and transplant hepatology
  • Less time in training that may not align with career interests
  • Shortened overall duration of training
• Ideal for trainees interested in a clinically-focused hepatology career

When and How to Apply

• The dual certification pathway is available to existing gastroenterology fellows at a program with an accredited transplant hepatology fellowship program at the same institution
• In some programs, this pathway may be competitive depending on the number of interested fellows and other program-specific factors
• Discuss your interest in this pathway with gastroenterology fellowship program directors during interviews and/or during your first year of gastroenterology fellowship
• See ABIM and ACGME websites for program requirements

Transplant Hepatology Certification

• Upon completing transplant hepatology training and passing the gastroenterology board certification, fellows will be eligible to take the Transplant Hepatology Board Certification Exam jointly offered by the ABIM and ABP
• The dual certification pathway is currently only eligible for certification through the ABIM and is not available through the ABP