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Certification Eligibility & Testing for the American Board of Physician Specialties®

ABPS Eligibility & TestingThe American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS) – committed to Enhancing Patient Care through Physician Excellence – is one of the most highly respected multispecialty certifying organizations in North America. It is the mission of the ABPS to establish the highest standards in physician board certification, and to help the physician specialist achieve success in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape. A recognized choice for board certification since 1960, the ABPS has grown in stature considerably over the decades. Today, it comprises 12 governing boards that oversee the physician board certification process for 18 specialties and subspecialties. The ABPS is the official board certifying body of the American Association of Physician Specialists, Inc.® (AAPS) and readily accepts applications for certification from qualified allopathic and osteopathic physicians actively practicing in the United States, Canada, or Puerto Rico.

ABPS Certification Exams

Candidates for certification by an ABPS Member Board must pass a computer-based, written examination to earn board certification. Some Member Boards also require an oral exam. The written examination for each ABPS Member Board is multiple-choice format and developed by certified physicians as subject matter experts. Written exams take place under standardized conditions across an expansive network of secure testing sites throughout the United States and Canada in May, August, or October, depending on the specialty. Oral exams are offered once a year virtually. For specialties requiring oral examinations, candidates must first successfully pass a written exam.

To be eligible for an ABPS board certification or re-certification exam, candidates must apply before the published deadline. To view the application and exam schedule for each specialty in 2022, as well as a list of specialties that require an oral exam, click here.

Physicians currently board certified through the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) or the American Orthopedic Association (AOA) are eligible to recertify through the ABPS.

Learn More About ABPS Member Boards

If you’re interested in pursuing certification in a traditional field like internal medicine or dermatology, we encourage you to apply to the ABPS. In addition to our many certification options in traditional specialties, we offer unique certifications. For example, physicians who have extensive experience working in emergency departments, but who completed their residencies in a primary care field, can earn board certification in emergency medicine with the ABPS without needing to complete an additional residency.

The value of certification through the ABPS can’t be overstated. Our 12 Member Boards are recognized by the U.S Department of Labor as well as credentialing organizations such as Greely, HCPro, and the National Association of Medical Staff Services (NAMSS) as top options for physician certification. We certify physician specialists who are committed above all else to providing superior patient care – not just to the business of medicine. Click on this link to learn more about our individual ABPS Member Boards. We also invite you to learn more about the ABPS by reading this short brochure, which can be viewed online or downloaded.

 

 

 

 

 

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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.

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
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
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