ABPS Mission: Medical Certification That Focuses on Patient-Centered Care, Not Only the Business of Medicine

ABPS MissionWhether interested in disaster medicine, emergency board certification, family medicine, family medicine obstetrics, or integrative medicine certification, be assured the ABPS examination process will fairly and accurately measure your skill and knowledge of the core competencies required to provide the absolute best patient care available. ABPS acknowledges that experience counts, and the reason for rigorous eligibility requirements which includes advanced training and significant time spent practicing in your chosen field. ABPS content development process was independently vetted by renowned testing agency, Castle Worldwide, which concluded that ABPS physician board certification examinations “meet or exceed the equivalent standards of any other certification organization, including other health-related organizations.”

Physician Board Certification That Puts Patient Care at the Forefront

Most importantly, the ABPS never deviates from its commitment to keep the attention of the medical community focused toward the ongoing improvement of patient care, rather than the business of medicine. ABPS is the only board certification body that requires non-remedial medical ethics training as part of the recertification process, and strive to bring compassion back to the forefront of patient care. There is no greater commitment we can make, and  invite qualified physicians throughout the U.S. and Canada to join ABPS in this obligation.

Why ABPS Certification Stands Out in the Medical Field

ABPS certification is recognized as a mark of excellence in the medical community, reflecting rigorous psychometric testing, advanced training, extensive experience, and strong moral character. Only the most dedicated and capable physicians achieve ABPS certification, joining a community of like-minded professionals known nationally for their medical achievements. ABPS-certified physicians serve in some of the most esteemed institutions across all 50 states, as well as Canada and Puerto Rico, sharing clinical insights, engaging in best practice exchanges, and accessing significant leadership opportunities.

Key Points to Consider About ABPS Certification

When considering your board certification options, keep these critical aspects of the ABPS in mind:

  • Rigorous standards – The ABPS’s certification and recertification criteria match the high standards set by the ABMS and AOA.
  • Clinical focus – Examinations by ABPS Member Boards emphasize clinical knowledge, prioritizing practical expertise over medical politics.
  • Unique recertification opportunities – The ABPS is unique as the only multi-specialty body that offers recertification to qualified diplomates of both the ABMS and AOA.
  • Broad recognition – The ABPS has a widespread influence, with Diplomates in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Canada.

Eligibility Requirements of the ABPS

The ABPS believes that board certification should be reserved only for physicians who demonstrate the highest level of expertise in their specialty. That’s why we maintain strict eligibility requirements. These may vary depending on the specialty, but all ABPS Member Boards share some requirements, including:

  • Adherence to the ABPS Code of Ethics, being acknowledged as an ethical member within the professional community, and actively practicing in the specific specialty for which certification is sought.
  • Graduation from an accredited allopathic or osteopathic college of medicine in the United States, Canada, or any international institution recognized by the ABPS. International graduates must also possess a valid Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) Certificate.
  • Possession of a valid and unrestricted license(s) to practice medicine in the United States, U.S. territories, or Canada.

For information about our eligibility requirements, contact the ABPS today. We would be happy to provide you with detailed information.

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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.

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