The American Board of Physician Specialties: Giving Physicians a Choice – and a Voice – in Board Certification
The American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) is the official certifying body of the American Association of Physician Specialists (AAPS). The ABPS oversees the administration and development of 12 member boards, representing 17 distinct medical specialties. Our goal is straightforward: to provide working physicians world-class board certification and recertification across multiple medical specialties, in order to thoroughly demonstrate their base of knowledge, professional skill and deep commitment to continued education and training.
ABPS Diplomates practice in all fifty states, as well as in Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia and Canada. What does it take to join them? To be blunt, it’s not easy. Nor do we believe it should be. Our clinically based written, oral and patient simulation exams are developed using only the most rigorous standards for measuring the knowledge base and skill set required to provide the absolute best patient care available. Yet, as rigorous as the examination process is, the rewards for medical board certification with the ABPS is well worth the commitment. When you earn certification through the ABPS, you become a member of a distinguished community of physicians whose priority is the advancement of patient care and safety. Clinical experiences and best practices are shared among community members, enabling you to learn from the setbacks and successes of others. Every ABPS Diplomate has access to abundant leadership opportunities, and is a valued participant whose voice is heard and respected.
ABPS Mission: Medical Certification That Focuses on Patient Centered Care, Not Only the Business of Medicine
No matter if you are interested in urgent care certification, emergency board certification, hospital medicine, family medicine, disaster medicine, or another of our 17 medical specialties, you can be sure that our examination process will fairly and accurately measure your skill and knowledge of the core competencies required to provide the absolute best patient care available. We know that experience counts, which is why our rigorous eligibility requirements include advanced training and significant time spent practicing in your chosen field. Our content development process was independently vetted by renowned testing agency, Castle Worldwide, which concluded that our physician board certification examinations “meet or exceed the equivalent standards of any other certification organization, including other health-related organizations.”
Most importantly, the ABPS never deviates from its commitment to keep the attention of the medical community where it should be which is the ongoing improvement of patient care, rather than the business of medicine. We are the only board certification body that requires non-remedial medical ethics training as part of the recertification process, and we strive to bring compassion back to the forefront of patient care. There is no greater commitment we can make, and we invite qualified physicians throughout the U.S. and Canada to join us in this obligation.
