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Importance of Choice in Physician Board Certification

Two doctors look at an X-rayPhysicians today face a complex and rapidly evolving healthcare environment—one where demonstrating expertise, ethics, and a commitment to patient-centered care is more important than ever. In this landscape, board certification remains one of the most respected ways for physicians to show they’ve met the highest standards in their specialty. 

Among the nationally recognized certifying bodies, the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS) offers a valuable and inclusive path. Established in 1952, ABPS has been certifying physicians since 1960, providing a credible option for professionals who want to be recognized for their advanced knowledge, clinical experience, and ethical integrity. Unlike one-size-fits-all approaches, ABPS gives physicians a choice—whether they’re pursuing certification in traditional disciplines or emerging specialties that reflect the changing needs of patient care. 

Is ABPS Certification Respected? 

Yes, it is. ABPS certification is recognized across the medical industry, including by federal organizations like the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Defense under the GI Bill. Several state medical boards, such as Florida’s, specifically name ABPS as a recognized certifying body. 

Plus, hospitals and credentialing committees across the country respect ABPS Diplomates because the organization’s exams and ethical standards are no less rigorous than those of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) or American Osteopathic Association (AOA). 

What Specialties Are Covered? 

ABPS certifies physicians in roughly 20 specialties through 12 Member Boards. These include widely recognized fields such as: 

  • Family Medicine 
  • Internal Medicine 
  • Emergency Medicine 
  • Dermatology 
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology 
  • Diagnostic Radiology 
  • Orthopedic Surgery 

But ABPS also certifies physicians in emerging and underserved areas like: 

  • Disaster Medicine 
  • Integrative Medicine 
  • Family Medicine Obstetrics 
  • Interventional Pain Management 

This broad range ensures that qualified physicians can pursue certification in areas that reflect modern medical practice and patient needs. 

Who Can Apply for Certification? 

Eligibility varies by specialty, but all applicants must meet some general requirements: 

  • A medical degree (MD or DO) from an accredited U.S., Canadian, or international medical school 
  • A valid, unrestricted medical license in the U.S., its territories, or Canada 
  • Active clinical practice in the specialty in which you’re seeking certification 
  • Agreement to follow the ABPS Code of Ethics 

Some boards may ask for additional documentation, such as residency training, case logs, or letters of recommendation. International medical graduates must also hold a valid Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) certificate. 

Why Choose ABPS for Certification? 

Physicians choose ABPS for several key reasons: 

  • Respected Credentials – ABPS certification is well-regarded across hospitals and healthcare systems. 
  • Broader Specialty Options – ABPS is the only certifying body for certain specialties like Family Medicine Obstetrics and Integrative Medicine. 
  • More Flexibility – ABPS takes a non-discriminatory approach to certification, welcoming physicians who may not have followed a traditional training path. 
  • Ethics-Driven – All Diplomates complete Medical Ethics training every 8 years, ensuring that professionalism and patient-first care remain at the forefront. 
  • Physician Advocacy – ABPS believes physicians should have a say in their certification options and aims to empower them to lead in patient care. 

For many physicians, ABPS feels like a better fit—both professionally and philosophically. 

How to Apply 

Getting started with ABPS certification is simple: 

  • Choose your specialty and Member Board on abpsus.org 
  • Review eligibility requirements for your specialty. 
  • Submit your application, along with supporting documents like your CV, license, training verification, and references. 
  • Once your application is approved, you’ll be scheduled for the written exam (some specialties may also require an oral exam or simulation). 

Each specialty’s exam process is thoughtfully designed to evaluate real-world clinical knowledge—not just textbook memorization. 

Certification Validity and Recertification 

ABPS certifications are valid for eight years, expiring on December 31 of the eighth year. That’s longer than some other certifying boards. 

  • Recertification requirements vary by specialty but usually include: 
  • A set number of Continuing Medical Education (CME) hours 
  • Completion of a medical ethics course 
  • A recertification exam or peer evaluation, depending on the specialty 

These requirements ensure that ABPS Diplomates remain current, capable, and grounded in ethical patient care. 

Which State Medical Boards Recognize ABPS? 

Recognition varies slightly from state to state, but many medical boards do recognize ABPS certification—some explicitly, like Florida’s. Others may not list it by name but still accept it for the purposes of hospital privileging or public listings as “board-certified.” 

ABPS encourages physicians to check directly with their state medical board if they have specific questions about recognition or advertising their certification. 

What Documents Are Required When Applying for Certification? 

To apply for certification, you’ll typically need: 

  • A copy of your medical school diploma 
  • Licensing documentation for every state or province where you practice 
  • A current CV/resume 
  • Letters of recommendation (if required by the specialty board) 
  • A self-query report from the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) 

Having this information prepared ahead of time can make the application process more efficient. 

What Are the Benefits of ABPS Certification? 

Beyond the professional pride that comes with board certification, ABPS Diplomates enjoy: 

  • Increased career opportunities, including leadership and academic roles 
  • Greater marketability to hospitals and employers 
  • Trust and confidence from patients and peers 
  • Membership in a values-driven community of forward-thinking physicians 
  • Validation of expertise, particularly in niche or emerging specialties 

Certification with the ABPS is more than a credential—it’s a commitment to lifelong learning and better patient care. 

Ready to Learn More? 

Choosing the right certifying board is an important decision in any physician’s career. If you’re ready to explore what the American Board of Physician Specialties® has to offer, we invite you to visit abpsus.org to: 

  • Learn more about specialty-specific requirements 
  • Explore certification timelines and exam dates 
  • Download application materials 

ABPS exists to give physicians meaningful options in board certification—and to help them better serve their patients, their profession, and their own professional goals. 

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

With declining access for maternity care amid rising maternal mortality, ABPS and their Board Certification in Family Medicine Obstetrics has been essential for me and many of my colleagues in getting privileges and thereby creating local access for mothers and their children.

Ashish Anand, MD, FAASOS
John B. Waits, MD
Family Medicine Obstetrics
Board certification through the American Board of Physician Specialties has served to substantiate my interest and additional training in several fields of medicine including Internal Medicine, Disaster Medicine, and Administrative Medicine. As a result, I have been able to serve my community in clinical, disaster response, and administrative medicine roles. Through the ABPS, I have become recognized as a leader in my various fields of interest.

Spencer Price MD, MPH, MBA
Administrative Medicine
In this era, when continuous updated medical knowledge means so much to you, when quality of emergency care matters most to you ,when you need to excel in your medical career to continue providing exceptional service to your critically ill patients, please consider board certification with the Boad of Certification in Emergency Medicine (BCEM). Where your knowledge & expertise translates to credentialing & certification with wider approval & recognition every day at many fronts. We Welcome you to join our team for a brighter future of our emergency healthcare where dedication to profession relies not solely on clinical practice but also on sound academic certification.

Ashish Anand, MD, FAASOS
Ashraf A. Gerges, MD, FAAEP
Emergency Medicine
Board certification in Orthopedic Surgery through the American Board of Physician Specialties validated my training and surgical experience through a process that was both rigorous and respectful of real-world practice. ABPS recognizes clinical competence, not just credentials, and that sets it apart.

Ashish Anand, MD, FAASOS
Ashish Anand, MD, FAASOS
Orthopedic Surgery
The American Board of Physician Specialties is a forward- thinking organization that focuses on where Medicine is going, not just where it has been. Traditional Certification Boards like Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and Dermatology are represented as are Integrative Medicine, Disaster Medicine, and Family Medicine-Obstetrics. Physicians appreciate the ability to showcase their skills and knowledge through Board Certification, and this organization allows excellent physicians the ability to bring their skills to patients. The dedication and commitment of this organization and its volunteers will ensure ongoing distinction and commitment for decades to come.

Jeffrey B. Stricker, DO, MBA, FAASD
Jeffrey B. Stricker, DO, MBA, FAASD
Dermatology
Serving as a member on the American board of Integrative Medicine (ABOIM) for many years and now serving as a Member at Large of the American Board of Physician Specialties (ABPS) has been an enriching and rewarding experience. The board’s commitment to excellence, integrity, and positive impact is truly inspiring. I am grateful to collaborate with such a dedicated and visionary group, and I am proud of the meaningful progress we continue to achieve together.

Arti Prasad, MD, FACP
Arti Prasad, MD, FACP
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 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
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
Far too often, medicine is led by less than 5% of non-practicing physicians taking away and replacing the voice of the 95% of physicians practicing and placing patient safety and care first on the front lines every day. The American Board of Physician Specialties has raised the standards in physician board certification not only in the quality of their boards of certification, but in hearing and allowing for the voice of those active physicians caring directly for patients. Having been a part of the ABPS over the last 28 years has allowed me to grow as a woman leader in a field often wrought with challenges. It helped me and others raise the bar of the standards of care in my specialty, Emergency Medicine, through their Board Certification in Emergency Medicine (BCEM). ABPS also helped raise the standards of care for 21st century medicine through their certifications in other specialties, particularly in Integrative Medicine & Disaster Medicine. Having physician voices heard matters to medicine and is essential in the betterment of patient safety and care.

Sarah E. Gilbert, MD, FAAEP
Sarah E. Gilbert, MD, FAAEP
Emergency Medicine
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