Find Your Specialty 813-433-2277

In Need of Physician Board Certification? Check out the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS)

If you recently completed residency training or are an established physician in practice and interested in distinguishing yourself through board certification, consider applying to the American Board of Physician Specialties® (ABPS). As a multi-specialty physician certifying body that includes 12 Member Boards with Diplomates in 20 specialties, the ABPS has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor as a leading choice for physician board certification. Of the nation’s three multi-specialty certifying entities, we may be the smallest, but our size allows us to be much more responsive to the needs of physicians in health care today. Currently, ABPS Diplomates across the various medical specialties practice at some of the finest healthcare institutions in the nation and are in all 50 states, the District of Colombia, Puerto Rico, and Canada.

Why Seek ABPS Physician Certification?

Founded in 1952, we take a pragmatic and nondiscriminatory approach to certification. We certify both allopathic and osteopathic physicians and promote collegiality, fraternity, and service among our Diplomates. We have certified numerous qualified physicians in traditional medical fields such as dermatology, family medicine, and internal medicine as well as in innovative specialties like disaster medicine, integrative medicine, and family medicine obstetrics. In fact, we are the only multi-specialty board that offers integrative medicine certification.

When you earn ABPS board certification, you become part of a diverse group of like-minded professionals who are respected throughout the healthcare industry. As an ABPS Diplomate, you can expect us to be your tireless advocate, working with legislators and other decision-makers to ensure that our community is well represented. You will also enjoy ample networking opportunities. Many healthcare organizations, hospitals, and other organizations are increasingly requiring that their physicians be certified in their specialty. As a result, physicians who are motivated to advance their careers or pursue new opportunities may find that board certification is essential.

Eligibility Requirements of the ABPS

The eligibility requirements of the ABPS differ from specialty to specialty, but all ABPS Member Boards share certain requirements, including:

  • Conforming with the Code of Ethics of the ABPS, being known in the community as an ethical member of the profession, and being an active practitioner in the specialty for which you’re seeking certification
  • Having graduated from a recognized U.S., Canadian, or international allopathic or osteopathic college of medicine. International graduates must also hold a valid Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) Certificate.
  • Holding a valid and unrestricted license(s) to practice medicine in the United States, U.S. territories, or Canada.

ABPS Board Certification Standards

The ABPS emphasizes psychometrically evaluated testing, in addition to advanced training, moral character, and experience. Certification in each specialty involves taking a written exam that consists of multiple-choice questions. Some specialties also require an oral exam to showcase diagnostic and treatment skills. All ABPS certifications cover the essential technical knowledge and skills relevant to each medical specialty. Recertification standards depend on the specialty board.

If you would like more information about board certification with the ABPS, including details about eligibility requirements, contact us today.

Save the Date
House of Delegates & Annual Scientific Meeting
Innovation & Overcoming Challenges
June 10-15, 2022
Plan Your Visit. Meeting Information
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
Meet Our Staff Read All Reviews
Boards
Careers
Login
Contact