The American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc. Provides Guidance for Emergency Room Staff Members During COVID-19

A review of emergency departments across the nation from state to state, city to city, and in inner-city to rural areas demonstrates that no consistent approach to emergency department safety regarding COVID-19 exists. In order to protect emergency department staff members, including physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals, the American Association of Physician Specialists (AAPS) and its Academy of Emergency Physicians (AAEP) offer minimum necessary guidelines that should be considered during the current pandemic. To read the full guidelines, please click here.

October 2020 Exam Applications

April 1st Update

In consideration of the difficulty applicants for certification and recertification may be having under these trying circumstances, ABPS will be extending the applicable April 1, 2020 application fee through the final deadline of May 1 for initial applications, and extending the April 1, 2020 pricing and the submission deadline to July 1 for recertification applications.

May 2020 Exam Administration

March 25th Update

In response to COVID-19 related developments, ABPS is extending the May 2020 testing window for all approved candidates. The testing period will still begin on May 1, but the eligibility window has been extended to June 30, 2020. All candidates affected by this decision will receive further instructions via email regarding scheduling or rescheduling their exam with PSI. Candidates who wish to defer their exam to the next scheduled exam administration window may do so without being charged a deferral or incurring a deferral fee. In addition, please note that with this extension, the exam results will be delayed as well. As always, if you have any questions, please contact the certification department at certification@abpsus.org.

BCEM Oral Examinations | COVID-19 Impact

March 17th Update

Given the various circumstances surrounding COVID-19, the Board of Certification in Emergency Medicine (BCEM) has postponed the March 2020 Emergency Medicine Oral Exam. BCEM is hoping to reschedule the exam at a time later in the year. The new date will be published as soon as it is available.

House of Delegates & Annual Scientific Meeting

March 17th Update

AAPS/ABPS are carefully monitoring the impacts of COVID-19. We are currently planning to proceed with the 2020 House of Delegates & Annual Scientific Meeting; however, in the event of a cancellation, we will notify all parties involved immediately. We have extended the early registration deadline until April 17. For more information about the meeting, please click here.

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