What Do Credentialers Need to Know About Board Certification?

Credentialers ABPSOne of our top priorities at the American Board of Physician Specialties® is to work closely with those who are in charge of credentialing physicians to better understand the many advantages to board certification through our organization. The ABPS is one of three national multi-specialty physician certifying organizations, and we have Diplomates in all 50 states who are among the most highly trained and experienced specialists in their fields of study. It is our goal to ensure that these physician leaders are duly recognized for their expertise, and we are committed to working with credentialers of all types to ensure that our Diplomates get the opportunities they deserve. So, what should credentialing organizations know about board certification?

At the ABPS, our member boards seek to identify and recognize physician specialists who have mastered the core competencies and knowledge that define their specialty. To earn board certification, the candidate must meet our eligibility requirements prior to successfully completing a formal standardized examination. This process is designed to be rigorous and ensures that our Diplomates represent the best and brightest in their specialties. Our member boards also offer a variety of other benefits, including the following:

  • Board certification is a trusted indicator of the most highly skilled physicians in the community, and prospective patients know to look for board certified physicians when researching a specialist in their area.
  • Specialty member boards legitimize emerging medical specialties by establishing requirements for education and training in specialty medicine.
  • Our member boards elevate the standards of practice by giving physicians a goal to attain.
  • Board certification can help protect the public from unqualified physicians in that, in order to become board certified, the physician must have demonstrated extensive experience and knowledge in their field of study and also must commit to ongoing training in order to maintain their status.

Ultimately, our message to certifying organizations is that ABPS board certification is a trusted tool for identifying physician specialists who are competent, experienced, and educated. To learn more about what it takes to become board certified through the ABPS, contact us today. You are also invited to confirm certification of one of our Diplomates through our online verification system. The ABPS is the official board certifying body of the American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc.®

Save the Date
House of Delegates & Annual Scientific Meeting
Innovation & Overcoming Challenges
June 10-15, 2022
Patient Care Is Our Priority

Medical organizations throughout North America understand that our rigorous certification standards prove that ABPS Diplomates are capable of delivering the best patient care possible.

On October 18, 2007, President George W. Bush released Homeland Security Presidential Directive 21 (HSPD-21), calling on our nation, among other initiatives, to “collectively support and facilitate the establishment of a discipline of disaster health”. It is a great testament to the wisdom and foresight of the American Board of Physician Specialties that it immediately set to work and created, within the short span of only one year, an educational blueprint and set of certification examinations, both written and oral, for a new subspecialty of disaster medicine—and it is why I chose to be part this vital initiative and this wonderful organization. This is but one of the many innovative programs initiated by the American Board of Physician Specialties over the years, and why I am proud to support its work on behalf of our nation’s public health.

Art Cooper, MD
Disaster Medicine
When the American Board of Physician Specialties offered to host the American Board of Integrative Medicine, ABPS became a landmark organization working to move medicine into the twenty first century. Certifying physicians who have completed rigorous academic training in Integrative Medicine ensures that the field of Integrative Medicine will continue to develop academically, clinically, and professionally. The leadership of ABPS continues to impress me - they are diligent in constantly innovating to provide certifications for physicians who want to advance their careers and their areas of expertise. I am honored to be a part of this organization.

Ann Marie Chiasson, MD
Integrative Medicine
There are many ways board certification advances a physician career. ABPS Board examination verifies your accuracy, precision, and reflects your mastery of your residency training verifying your expertise. ABPS Board certification demonstrates your level of expertise beyond your practice experience, primary education degrees, and training which are necessary for insurance reimbursement and practice privilege requirements. Attaining your ABPS Board Certification will clarify your purpose, secure your practice growth, and expand into leadership positions. Board certification can serve as an indication of a physician’s commitment to medicine, beyond the minimal standards and competency of training, their measurement to quality of care, and attaining an award for excellence.

Chris Kunis MD
Internal Medicine
When I think historically, advancement in medicine and patient safety and care has been driven by the diversity of people and scientific thought. That’s what I found at the ABPS and more. For over 60 years that is just who we are. I found a physician certifying body that provides a choice and voice to all physicians ensuring that patients are always placed first.

Jerry Allison, MD
Emergency Medicine
When I decided to pursue a full time role as a physician executive it was important to me to obtain additional professional training, education and work experience. Board certification through the ABPS in Administrative Medicine is validation of my efforts and a demonstration of dedication to professional development. We need more physicians to become full time health care executives, knowing there is a board certification option in Administrative Medicine encourages physicians to take the leap from full time clinical practice to healthcare organizational leadership.

Richard Paula, MD
Administrative Medicine
The American Board of Physician Specialties has provided me with the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of internal medicine through board certification. As a hospitalist, board certification is an expected credential, and hospitals recognize the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) as one of the three standard credentialling bodies for Internal Medicine. Additionally, the ABPS has helped me develop leadership skills as a Board member and Committee Chairperson. ABPS has also helped me sharpen critical thinking skills as a test question developer and reviewer. The Allopathic (MD) and Osteopathic (DO) physicians in the ABPS are lifelong learners and frequently pursue multiple board certifications. I enjoy the camaraderie of my peers in ABPS.

Loren Jay Chassels, DO
Internal Medicine